A who's who of Hollywood stars come together in the apocalyptic comedy, This is the End. Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel, Craig Robinson, Danny McBride, Jonah Hill, and James Franco play themselves along with a bevy of other well-known names. Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg make their directorial debuts.
Seth Rogen picks up his best friend, Jay Baruchel, at LAX. For the next several hours, they proceed to catch up and get high on pot in several different ways. The evening takes a fateful turn when the two pals attend James Franco's house party (against Jay's wishes) where several guests, including Rhianna, Michael Cera, Kevin Hart, Aziz Ansari, Mindy Kaling, Jason Segel, Emma Watson, Johah Hill, Craig Robinson, and others are in attendance.
Jay and Seth leave the party briefly to buy cigarettes at the local convenience store when the world as they know it turns on its ear. A disaster level earthquake rocks L.A. causing widespread panic and death. The Hollywood Hills are set ablaze. A mysterious blue light engulfs part of the population taking them upward to some unknown destination in the sky (what Jay later realizes is the Rapture).
Barely escaping death on several occasions, Jay and Seth return to Franco's house where the partiers still have no clue as to what is happening outside the walls. Another tremor forces everyone outside where they see the mass destruction, and that's when all Hell breaks loose as most of Franco's guests perish from a large sinkhole that forms in his front yard. Now, with no where to run, Seth, Jay, Craig, Jonah, Franco, and Danny McBride (who crashed the party) hole up in what's left of Franco's new house with limited rations awaiting a rescue that isn't coming. Jay surmises that it's the apocalypse that is upon them. And with these six goofs, survival isn't likely.
Ridiculous, idiotic, inappropriate, and mind numbing are some of the words you can use to describe This is the End. But, it's all in a good way. I don't know where to start here. What scene is the most ludicrous? Is it king nerd Michael Cera portrayed as a cocaine-addled perv? Should it be Emma Watson unleashing her inner badass wielding an ax? Or, maybe it should be Kevin Hart kicking Aziz Ansari down a large sinkhole? The comedy is non-stop and it looks like everyone had great time performing like absolute lunatics.
But, amidst the fun and games, the film examines themes such as friendship, sacrifice, and spirituality. As sleazy as some of the characters are in the movie, it does provide the idea that no one is beyond redemption. Well, except Danny McBride maybe. But, most of us at least have a chance to avoid eternal damnation.
One thing I would count as a negative is the frequent drug use. Well, marijuana use. I've said this before, but watching potheads begins to wear thin with me even if it is initially funny. Maybe it's the fact that I don't do it myself that's the reason for my attitude. Fortunately, the goofiness comes from several other sources to help offset the marijuana-fueled humor.
This is the End may not be for everyone, but, if you're looking for a goofy, laugh-out-loud good time and don't mind a side of raunch with your humor, you may have found gold here. And hey, you even get Backstreet Boys performance to boot.
Seth Rogen picks up his best friend, Jay Baruchel, at LAX. For the next several hours, they proceed to catch up and get high on pot in several different ways. The evening takes a fateful turn when the two pals attend James Franco's house party (against Jay's wishes) where several guests, including Rhianna, Michael Cera, Kevin Hart, Aziz Ansari, Mindy Kaling, Jason Segel, Emma Watson, Johah Hill, Craig Robinson, and others are in attendance.
Jay and Seth leave the party briefly to buy cigarettes at the local convenience store when the world as they know it turns on its ear. A disaster level earthquake rocks L.A. causing widespread panic and death. The Hollywood Hills are set ablaze. A mysterious blue light engulfs part of the population taking them upward to some unknown destination in the sky (what Jay later realizes is the Rapture).
Barely escaping death on several occasions, Jay and Seth return to Franco's house where the partiers still have no clue as to what is happening outside the walls. Another tremor forces everyone outside where they see the mass destruction, and that's when all Hell breaks loose as most of Franco's guests perish from a large sinkhole that forms in his front yard. Now, with no where to run, Seth, Jay, Craig, Jonah, Franco, and Danny McBride (who crashed the party) hole up in what's left of Franco's new house with limited rations awaiting a rescue that isn't coming. Jay surmises that it's the apocalypse that is upon them. And with these six goofs, survival isn't likely.
Ridiculous, idiotic, inappropriate, and mind numbing are some of the words you can use to describe This is the End. But, it's all in a good way. I don't know where to start here. What scene is the most ludicrous? Is it king nerd Michael Cera portrayed as a cocaine-addled perv? Should it be Emma Watson unleashing her inner badass wielding an ax? Or, maybe it should be Kevin Hart kicking Aziz Ansari down a large sinkhole? The comedy is non-stop and it looks like everyone had great time performing like absolute lunatics.
But, amidst the fun and games, the film examines themes such as friendship, sacrifice, and spirituality. As sleazy as some of the characters are in the movie, it does provide the idea that no one is beyond redemption. Well, except Danny McBride maybe. But, most of us at least have a chance to avoid eternal damnation.
One thing I would count as a negative is the frequent drug use. Well, marijuana use. I've said this before, but watching potheads begins to wear thin with me even if it is initially funny. Maybe it's the fact that I don't do it myself that's the reason for my attitude. Fortunately, the goofiness comes from several other sources to help offset the marijuana-fueled humor.
This is the End may not be for everyone, but, if you're looking for a goofy, laugh-out-loud good time and don't mind a side of raunch with your humor, you may have found gold here. And hey, you even get Backstreet Boys performance to boot.
The Dark Lord of the Sith says:
***3/4 stars
Ratings Legend
Zero *= Don't waste your time. Pure dreck! Dreck is too good for this! Blind me please!
1 *= Fuggedaboutit!
2 *= Average, Mediocre, Nothing Special
3 *= Good viewing. Much better than a poke in the eye.
4 *= Great. Could possibly foot the price of a non-Matinee.
5 *= Pure eye candy. Hall of Fame material here.
Zero *= Don't waste your time. Pure dreck! Dreck is too good for this! Blind me please!
1 *= Fuggedaboutit!
2 *= Average, Mediocre, Nothing Special
3 *= Good viewing. Much better than a poke in the eye.
4 *= Great. Could possibly foot the price of a non-Matinee.
5 *= Pure eye candy. Hall of Fame material here.
No comments:
Post a Comment