"This Is The End" - directed by Evan Goldberg & Seth Rogen
There's a reason that so many red band trailers loaded with profanity and violence were released to market this movie.
They had no choice.
There are scant few moments in the movie without swearing or gory violence to have used in a green band trailer.
It seems to have worked.
"This Is The End" went up against "Man of Steel" on opening weekend and although the box office gap was ninety seven million dollars its second place still earned a respectable $20,000,000
If you've seen "Your Highness" or "Pineapple Express" you'll know what you are in for this one.
In fact this movie forms an interesting final piece in a trilogy (in tone at least) with those other movies.
Danny McBride and James Franco feature heavily in all three.
Along for the ride this time are almost all of the funny guys that we are used to seeing in all of those Judd Apatow movies like "Knocked Up", "Superbad", "Funny People" and "The 40 Year Old Virgin".
That would be Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, Craig Robinson, Jay Baruchel, Jason Segel and Paul Rudd.
The latter two are mere cameos of which there are numerous.
Look at the credit list at the bottom of this posting for just a taste.
One name missing from the list is Bill Hader.
Hader is a great comedic talent with not only feature film work but a great, recently ended stint on "Saturday Night Live".
As with "Superbad" Evan Goldberg and Rogen co-wrote this one.
In addition they directed it and did a pretty good job.
The production budget was a modest $32,000,000 but it looks a fair bit more expensive than that.
Telling the tale of a group of Hollywood friends getting drunk and stoned at a party when the apocalypse happens it is loaded with special visual effects.
The entire city is soon ablaze in eternal fires.
There are savage, demonic creatures and hordes of looters.
As a portrayal of the end of the world it is pretty good.
Like the underrated "Your Highness" the creature design and execution is damned good (no pun intended) but this is a comedy and all the special effects in the world can't make up for a lack of laughs.
It's pretty much on the right side of the requirement.
Beginning with Seth Rogen picking Jay Baruchel up at LAX it starts strongly.
They get stoned at Rogen's house then head to James Franco's house warming party for the evening.
All of the actors play themselves- at least in name.
The portrayals are presumably purely based on their screen persona's as they are the same characters that we have seen a dozen times before.
Rogen is the lovable, wide eyed and childlike stoner.
Baruchel the thoughtful, sensitive one.
Franco the wacko.
And Danny McBride is the loud-mouthed, self-centred douche.
As much as I like McBride's tv show "Eastbound and Down" he is starting to grow tiresome for me.
His is the most one note of all of the six leads.
At every turn he is loud, abrasive and frankly - annoying.
Hill gets the better deal with a character that not only allows him to play different to usual but provides an opportunity for real transformation- in more ways than one.
The core to the whole thing is the friendship of Baruchel and Rogen.
The early scenes before the end of the world happens set up tensions to follow between them.
These early moments are also very effective at foreshadowing later events.
A cover of Blondies 'Rapture' plays as the two men arrive at the party and there is a mention of Channing Tatum and discussion of a sequel to "Pineapple Express" that will pay off later.
What is noticeable too is the willingness for all involved to play fast and loose with their on screen personas which frequently means acknowledging shortcomings and criticism.
A passerby asks Rogen when he is going to play a different character for a change and Jason Segel talks to a man at the party with obvious frustration about the same old routine that gets laughs on his tv show.
It is fascinating getting a glimpse into the lives of these guys.
Sure- it is a severely warped view but when so many people show up for what amounts to seconds of screen time it is clear that they are all at least somewhat close in reality.
Michael Cera on the other hand plays a wickedly warped Mr Hyde to his normally sensitive Dr Jeckyl - the one that we have seen in "Arrested Development" and "Superbad" (and many, many more)
He does cocaine, gropes a woman, is seen in a threesome in a toilet and.... well, any more would spoil it.
For the first half hour it is one big cameo-fest as the party cranks up.
Some tensions that will boil over later are revealed and there are some decent laughs.
When the end of the world happens it is quite shocking but it does herald the arrival of the funniest moments.
Like "Pineapple Express" it is an odd mix of thriller and comedy, dark and light.
I'd say it works better than that movie even with its Amber Heard advantage (she's like bacon - she makes anything better)
When the fire and brimstone has settled we end up with six men alone in the house with limited food and the world literally going to hell around them.
There are discussions as to what is happening with earthquake, sinkhole and zombie invasion preferred over the obvious truth.
When they finally accept it the realisation sets in that they can't be good people if they have been left behind during the rapture that sees many lifted to heaven amidst blue light tunnels.
The film gets a second wind from this point and what was a one note series of debauched exchanges and actions turns into an unlikely horror-thriller-comedy mix.
I liked the second half a lot for reasons that cannot be revealed for fear of spoiling it.
What I can say is that Emma Watson has a brilliant scene and looks fantastically adept at swinging an axe.
Hers is not my favourite cameo - that comes later- but it is nonetheless a good 'un.
"This Is The End" is amusing without being hysterical.
In truth it needed a few more scenes of genuine hilarity but like "Your Highness" has other things to prop it up in the entertainment stakes.
The effects are top notch considering the budget and there are a few scenes of genuine horror in here.
The marketing for this film has concentrated on the cast and their familiarity to us and it is right to do so.
Almost all of its success rests on the appeal of the six leads.
Baruchel is the standout of the cast for me.
He's a talented guy, the best actor and also serves as a producer.
Rogen is Rogen and McBride is McBride.
All seem happy to tear their images to shreds with Franco proving the most willing to satirise himelf.
His speech on what art is was a highlight for me.
All in all it's a fun flick with some great ideas that a more thoughtful film could have really sunk its teeth into.
It's all pretty heavy stuff and a goofy comedy like this is best to avoid delving too deeply but it's nice that it tried- albeit half heartedly.
How much you enjoy this film depends totally on how much you like the six leads- Rogen, Robinson, McBride, Baruchel, Franco and Hill.
With the exception of McBride I do and I had quite a bit of fun watching this.
No bodily fluid is left off the table as the profanity and sexual references pile up.
If you like "Your Highness", "Superbad", "Knocked Up" and "Pineapple Express" you should have a good time with "This Is The End".
Otherwise avoid.
(Still- there is a case to be made for going for the incredible final scene.)
They had no choice.
There are scant few moments in the movie without swearing or gory violence to have used in a green band trailer.
It seems to have worked.
"This Is The End" went up against "Man of Steel" on opening weekend and although the box office gap was ninety seven million dollars its second place still earned a respectable $20,000,000
If you've seen "Your Highness" or "Pineapple Express" you'll know what you are in for this one.
In fact this movie forms an interesting final piece in a trilogy (in tone at least) with those other movies.
Danny McBride and James Franco feature heavily in all three.
Along for the ride this time are almost all of the funny guys that we are used to seeing in all of those Judd Apatow movies like "Knocked Up", "Superbad", "Funny People" and "The 40 Year Old Virgin".
That would be Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, Craig Robinson, Jay Baruchel, Jason Segel and Paul Rudd.
The latter two are mere cameos of which there are numerous.
Look at the credit list at the bottom of this posting for just a taste.
One name missing from the list is Bill Hader.
Hader is a great comedic talent with not only feature film work but a great, recently ended stint on "Saturday Night Live".
As with "Superbad" Evan Goldberg and Rogen co-wrote this one.
In addition they directed it and did a pretty good job.
The production budget was a modest $32,000,000 but it looks a fair bit more expensive than that.
Telling the tale of a group of Hollywood friends getting drunk and stoned at a party when the apocalypse happens it is loaded with special visual effects.
The entire city is soon ablaze in eternal fires.
There are savage, demonic creatures and hordes of looters.
As a portrayal of the end of the world it is pretty good.
Like the underrated "Your Highness" the creature design and execution is damned good (no pun intended) but this is a comedy and all the special effects in the world can't make up for a lack of laughs.
It's pretty much on the right side of the requirement.
 |
| Franco, Hill, Ronbinson, Rogen, Baruchel and McBride |
They get stoned at Rogen's house then head to James Franco's house warming party for the evening.
All of the actors play themselves- at least in name.
The portrayals are presumably purely based on their screen persona's as they are the same characters that we have seen a dozen times before.
Rogen is the lovable, wide eyed and childlike stoner.
Baruchel the thoughtful, sensitive one.
Franco the wacko.
And Danny McBride is the loud-mouthed, self-centred douche.
As much as I like McBride's tv show "Eastbound and Down" he is starting to grow tiresome for me.
His is the most one note of all of the six leads.
At every turn he is loud, abrasive and frankly - annoying.
Hill gets the better deal with a character that not only allows him to play different to usual but provides an opportunity for real transformation- in more ways than one.
The core to the whole thing is the friendship of Baruchel and Rogen.
The early scenes before the end of the world happens set up tensions to follow between them.
These early moments are also very effective at foreshadowing later events.
A cover of Blondies 'Rapture' plays as the two men arrive at the party and there is a mention of Channing Tatum and discussion of a sequel to "Pineapple Express" that will pay off later.
What is noticeable too is the willingness for all involved to play fast and loose with their on screen personas which frequently means acknowledging shortcomings and criticism.
A passerby asks Rogen when he is going to play a different character for a change and Jason Segel talks to a man at the party with obvious frustration about the same old routine that gets laughs on his tv show.
It is fascinating getting a glimpse into the lives of these guys.
Sure- it is a severely warped view but when so many people show up for what amounts to seconds of screen time it is clear that they are all at least somewhat close in reality.
Michael Cera on the other hand plays a wickedly warped Mr Hyde to his normally sensitive Dr Jeckyl - the one that we have seen in "Arrested Development" and "Superbad" (and many, many more)
He does cocaine, gropes a woman, is seen in a threesome in a toilet and.... well, any more would spoil it.
For the first half hour it is one big cameo-fest as the party cranks up.
Some tensions that will boil over later are revealed and there are some decent laughs.
When the end of the world happens it is quite shocking but it does herald the arrival of the funniest moments.
 |
| The film sports an impressive cameo list including Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Rihanna, Michael Cera and Emma Watson |
I'd say it works better than that movie even with its Amber Heard advantage (she's like bacon - she makes anything better)
When the fire and brimstone has settled we end up with six men alone in the house with limited food and the world literally going to hell around them.
There are discussions as to what is happening with earthquake, sinkhole and zombie invasion preferred over the obvious truth.
When they finally accept it the realisation sets in that they can't be good people if they have been left behind during the rapture that sees many lifted to heaven amidst blue light tunnels.
The film gets a second wind from this point and what was a one note series of debauched exchanges and actions turns into an unlikely horror-thriller-comedy mix.
I liked the second half a lot for reasons that cannot be revealed for fear of spoiling it.
What I can say is that Emma Watson has a brilliant scene and looks fantastically adept at swinging an axe.
Hers is not my favourite cameo - that comes later- but it is nonetheless a good 'un.
"This Is The End" is amusing without being hysterical.
In truth it needed a few more scenes of genuine hilarity but like "Your Highness" has other things to prop it up in the entertainment stakes.
The effects are top notch considering the budget and there are a few scenes of genuine horror in here.
The marketing for this film has concentrated on the cast and their familiarity to us and it is right to do so.
Baruchel is the standout of the cast for me.
He's a talented guy, the best actor and also serves as a producer.
Rogen is Rogen and McBride is McBride.
All seem happy to tear their images to shreds with Franco proving the most willing to satirise himelf.
His speech on what art is was a highlight for me.
All in all it's a fun flick with some great ideas that a more thoughtful film could have really sunk its teeth into.
It's all pretty heavy stuff and a goofy comedy like this is best to avoid delving too deeply but it's nice that it tried- albeit half heartedly.
How much you enjoy this film depends totally on how much you like the six leads- Rogen, Robinson, McBride, Baruchel, Franco and Hill.
With the exception of McBride I do and I had quite a bit of fun watching this.
No bodily fluid is left off the table as the profanity and sexual references pile up.
If you like "Your Highness", "Superbad", "Knocked Up" and "Pineapple Express" you should have a good time with "This Is The End".
Otherwise avoid.
(Still- there is a case to be made for going for the incredible final scene.)
| Rated | R16 for frequent profanity, sexual reference and violence |
| Running Time: | 107 minutes (1hr, 41 mins without end credits) |
| Starring: |
| Seth Rogen | --- Seth Rogen |
| Jay Baruchel | --- Jay Baruchel |
| Jonah Hill | --- Jonah Hill |
| Craig Robinson | --- Craig Robinson |
| Danny McBride | --- Danny McBride |
| James Franco | --- James Franco |
| Michael Cera | --- Michael Cera |
| Emma Watson | --- Emma Watson |
| Christopher Mintz-Plasse | --- Christopher Mintz-Plasse |
| Jason Segel | --- Jason Segel |
| Paul Rudd | --- Paul Rudd |
| Rihanna | --- Rihanna |
| Channing Tatum | --- Channing Tatum |
| Aziz Ansari | --- Aziz Ansari |
| David Krumholtz | --- David Krumholtz |
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