This is the End (4 out of 5 Stars)
Directed by: Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg
Written by: Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg (Pineapple Express)
Starring: Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel, James Franco, Jonah Hill, Craig Robinson, and Danny McBride
Imagine the world is coming to world coming to an end, and you are at a party at James Franco's new stylish pad, and go. That is the basic premise to the the film This is the End (set to be released June 12). Apocalyptic movies often have dark/ominous tones, but why not have some laughs as the world falls out from under your feet? Literally!
End starts as its centers around Seth Rogen and Jay Baruchel two best friends from their Canada days playing themselves. Everyone plays a version of them self in this movie, although Michael Cera's representation may be a bit exaggerated, and if not that's even funnier. Jay is not an "L.A. guy" and is in town visiting Seth. Seth and Jay end up going to a party at James Franco's house, insert a lot of amazing cameos from some of the funniest people working today, and you have one hell of a sequence. After some pot and a need to get out of the party Jay drags Seth away from the fake Hollywood types only to have things go bat shit crazy.
I do not want to give any of the jokes from this film away, because they are far too funny. Nor do I want to hype this movie the way people do with films like The Hangover or Bridesmaids, but its safe to say this may be the funniest film of the summer. The cameos are endless, from Paul Rudd, Jason Segal, Kevin Hart, Mindy Kailing, Aziz Ansari, Emma Watson and many more. There is one cameo towards the end which stole the show for me, but I will let you discover that masked man on your own.
I think one of the best parts about this film is the clever way the script uses a version of reality to make fun of the situation, along with the actors and their true selves. From the fact that Jonah Hill is a nice guy and now that he has an Oscar nomination he has to step up his game, or the gay jokes/rumors about James Franco, to the way the film pokes fun at films they have done like Seth Rogen in The Green Hornet. Rogen knows his pals, and co-screenwriter (who has worked with all of these people before) knows how to stick the knife and jab with true comedic wit. The script obviously has it flaws, the duo tend to sometimes let gags run on too long, and for those not in "the know" some of the gags may not make much sense. Yet, the jokes were some of the funniest I have heard in a long time, especially anything that makes fun of Spider-Man 3.
This film is clever and a step ahead of both Superbad, and Pineapple Express (which came from the the same creative team.) I have heard Seth Rogen talk about this project, and it was clearly something he was passionate about. This film took a lot to get financed, and to find a production company, but when all was said and done the end result is something that will be remembered. I like the direction from Rogen and Goldberg, they are taking comedy to a new level with this film. While their previous collaborations have been funny, this film is both smart, and funny, which sets it apart from many films within its genre or type. This is the End, is a not just a great comedy, but an laugh out loud enjoyable film.
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