Monday 8 July 2013

Scott Gentry reviews "This Is The End", the hilarious new comedy from Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, the duo behind "Superbad".

"This Is The End" (15)
Director: Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogen.
Starring: Jay Baruchel, Seth Rogen, James Franco and Jonah Hill.
Running time: 107 minutes.
Rated: 15, for containing very strong language, strong sex references, drug use and gore. 

When best friends Jay and Seth meet up over a weekend in Hollywood, they decide to visit their good friend James Franco, for a house party. On arrival, drugs, sex and all things crazy happen. When things (apparently) couldn't get worse, the apocalypse arrives and six friends including Jonah Hill and Danny McBride, all fortify the house to escape the horrors that lie in wait, on the outside. Then cabin fever sets in. 

Comedy's of recent years have mainly been party or romantically based and a fresh take on the genre has been long overdue; the "Hangover" series has shed some light on that, but nothing has broken down barriers quite like "This Is The End". 

From the writers of "Superbad", Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, "This Is The End" dares to kill off A-list stars, include religion and even show a rape scene by a demon. It really is a comedy that raises the bar. All the actors play themselves which is quite an interesting and fresh idea. Most of the laughs from the film rely on self-parody, wih he actors accusing each other of making bad films, including Seth Rogen's, "The Green Hornet". 

After a while, some jokes just become reliant on sexual innuendos, which is a shame as the rest of the film works perfectly well as a dark and satirical film. The acting is good and the cast all look as though they are having a great time, in the roles which they pretty much play in real life. 

It has it's highs and lows, but I am confident that "This Is The End" is one of this summers best comedies, if not for a long time. 

4 STARS

Written by Scott Gentry.

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