This Is The End

This film is everything you expect from the crew who created Pineapple Express, Superbad, and Knocked Up - for better or for worse.

This Is The End feels like a movie you'd make with your friends one night at a really wild party. You get a bunch of insane ideas, make a bunch of in-jokes, and generally have a great time while using an extremely vague narrative to tenuously hold everything together. The only difference is, these guys have the cash to turn that into a blockbuster.

The story goes thus. Seth Rogen's best friend Jay Baruchel is coming to visit him in LA. The pair decide to head to a party hosted by Seth's new buddy James Franco. After an extended party scene featuring a lot of in-jokes and Michael Cera getting punched in the face by Rihanna, the apocalypse starts.

Wait for it...

Seriously, this isn't even the best thing that happens to him.
Just for the record though, I like Michael Cera.

Insanity ensues thereafter. There's not really much more to say after that. The "party" is reduced to six guys, who then have to find a way to survive. It's a survival drama re-imagined as a stoner comedy.

Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg wrote and directed, and obviously have a lot of love for the project, which shows through in the end product. It feels like they created a film primarily to have fun, and that's what I find most endearing.

If you're not already a fan of films created by this group, This Is The End will not change your mind. It's full of puerile dick jokes, slapstick, and homo-eroticism.

Also, a lot of guys making this face.

To be honest, I was lukewarm on the "Frat Pack" at first. Knocked Up wasn't great, Superbad was all right - but it was Pineapple Express where they really hit their stride, and This Is The End feels like it could almost be a sequel to that film.

Both films have the trademark stoner protagonists, action sequences and even the themes of "bromance."

Bromance is dancing to PSY while holding a pistol

In previous reviews, I've griped about supposed "ensemble" pieces not feeling as such. This Is The End is one of the greatest examples of an ensemble performance I've seen this year. The piece is more than just Seth and Jay - Jonah Hill, Craig Robinson, Danny McBride and James Franco each have their moments in the spotlight. McBride in particular is a scene stealer, but each actor flexes their comic muscles.

Don't go in expecting any highbrow humour or any intricate plot and you'll have a great time.

You don't want to know what happens next...
But it involves a bodily function and consuming said function.

This Is The End really isn't for everybody. It's for people who are already a fan previous films in the "franchise." If you're unfamiliar with said films, it's worth a look just for the ridiculous antics.

Switch off your brain and enjoy.

Specifically enjoy Emma Watson mugging Seth Rogen with an axe.

 Four stars.