Review - This Is The End

 

 At The Theater- "This Is The End" - What we have here is an extreme rarity: a legitimately and consistently funny R-Rated Horror/Comedy that fires on all cylinders for it's entire run-time- I cannot recall a flat moment or a bit that didn't work. There's a myriad of laugh out loud situations and hilariously sharp, pitch-perfect dialogue throughout this tale of Hollywood friends (and lovable idiots) experiencing the Apocalypse- Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel, James Franco, Craig Robinson, Jonah Hill and Danny McBride (each playing themselves) all have plenty of solid material befitting their inherent, distinct comedic talents. There's a number of surprises here, including a multitude of worthwhile cameos, but the less a potential viewer knows, the better.  I left the theater with a smile on my face and feeling a helluva lot better than when I entered. Think "Shaun of The Dead" mixed with "Pineapple Express"...

This Is The End is co-written and co-Directed by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg- I believe this particular film works so well because of the familiarity with each other and the natural camaraderie of the leads.  It's as if several true friends got together with a slightly larger than modest budget, pooled their comedic resources and cashed in every last favor they could scrounge up.  What's most impressive here is how the flick succeeds as a Disaster/Horror entry- it's deftly Directed and edited by apparent fans of these types of films, featuring some appropriately wonky, but entirely serviceable digitally-rendered mayhem and creature effects.  It's lightning in a bottle.

Later this year, audiences will be subjected to another End Of Days comedy in the form of Edgar Wright's (Shaun of The Dead, Hot Fuzz, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World) "The World's End", starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost- I have high hopes for the film but find that the bar has been raised significantly on this "new" Horror/Comedy/Disaster multi-genre.  

Be forewarned, this is NOT for children so leave 'em at home.  Expect a wealth of crude humor, with foul language galore, constant drug and sexual references, several gruesome deaths/dismemberments and a handful of highly effective jump scares. 

Needless to say, Highly Recommended- see it at the Theater and see it with as many friends as possible. 

 9.0 out of 10