This is the End

If you enjoy watching the likes of Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill and James Franco in comedic roles then you’re in for a treat. ‘This is the End’ combines a number of Hollywood’s ‘Apatow Mafia’ in a hilarious apocalyptic disaster film, where the movies main characters play themselves. A film concept that you’d expect to be something of a disaster in itself, the result however is very entertaining.

‘This is the End’ is Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg’s third time writing a film together after ‘Superbad’ and ‘Pineapple Express’, but their first in the director’s chair. This along with the ‘apocalypse plot’ might have a lot of movie goers being dubious about the result. I’d have to say though, for a first run at directing they’ve done very well. The script and its delivery are at times brilliant, having me in hysterics throughout the film. The screenplay on the other hand was a little scattered, with a few downright silly scenes. As it’s a relatively low budget film the effects weren’t overly flash, but were sufficient to depict scenes you might expect to see on Judgement Day.

The film starts with Seth’s good friend Jay visiting from Canada and them both going to a party at James Franco’s. When the apocalypse starts, the party quickly disperses and we’re left with the core group of funny men, hunkering down at Franco’s fighting over who gets to eat the Milky Way. This all after a number of Hollywood stars get eliminated in a less than graceful fashion. From there it’s an odd sort of survival story. The film mainly focusing on the general hilarity and interplay between the five comic geniuses stuck at Franco’s house and the various dilemmas an actor finds himself in during the end of days.

James Franco and Jonah Hill get the first listing in the credits, because they are probably the most well known out of the bunch, but the movies underlying story is around the relationship between Seth and Jay. Jay plays the part he needs to play well, but never has you laughing out loud. Seth Rogen is just Seth Rogen and pretty much acts as he always does, which is still hilarious. Instead of Jonah Hill playing Jonah Hill (so to speak), he plays a caricature of himself that portrays him as something of an oversensitive phony, which proves to be quite amusing.  James Franco was surprisingly funny and there were a few times in the film that he had me in stitches.

By no means a flawless performance by Seth and Evan in their directorial debut, but the delivery and scripting were just so good and have you laughing so much that you forgive them for creating a film that wouldn’t be described as polished. If you don’t mind crude humour, love good dialogue and expert delivery then definitely give ‘This is the End’ a watch. I give it 7 out of 10.