Review: This is the End

By Joe Moss

★★½

All that kept flowing through my head while watching “This is the End” (penned by the comedic duo Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg) movie was….no, not the Backstreet Boys that kept reoccurring through the movie…”It’s the End of the World (As We Know It)” by R.E.M.  All expectations about the END of the world are definitely addressed throughout this film. The movie is set in Hollywood and basically has a cameo by almost…well…EVERYONE of the younger comedy generation—with the cast lead by Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel, James Franco, Danny McBride, and Craig Robinson. The script was so BAD that the movie [strangely enough] worked. I found myself laughingly at every sarcastic, pot-based, penis-induced remark made.

I guess if the rapture is upon us, who better to spend the end of days with than your friends at a party over-flowing with booze, sex and drugs galore. Seth Rogen and Jay Baruchel initially met up as a means to rekindle their friendship that has been drifting apart as Seth Rogen continues to ‘sell-out’ to the Hollywood crowd.  After hours of pre-gaming at Seth’s house, he decides that they need to attend a house-warming party at James Franco’s new house at the base of the Hollywood Hills. Thus ensues the shenanigans and almost effortless delivery of lines (most of which I guaranty are ad-libbed) that make to movie what it is, a glimpse into how younger Hollywood addresses the common stereotypes associated with actors.

This movie is truly in a class by itself. While it has moments similar to “Pineapple Express” and “Superbad,” the stripped down version of everyone in “This is the End” makes it so mass appealing that you have to enjoy it for what it offer—basic plot development with no twists or turns. I loved the way that all of the actors poked fun at EVERYONE shamelessly—Channing Tatum as a gimp, love slave to Danny McBride anyone? “He’s got GI JOE on a leash.” That was perhaps one of the funniest moments of the movie. Just to see everyone relaxed and completely ‘out of character’ to the point of truly showing their raw acting ability. Emma Watson even has a few cameos in the film that show she has great ability to deal with the cowardice and poor behavior of these guys. “Emma Watson just stole our food” as delivered by Danny McBride after a Jay Baruchel induced awkward conversation concerning 5 guys and 1 girl alone in a house. Hmmmm? Don’t mess with Hermione and an axe!!

Place aside any of your prejudice and expectations and just go see the film for yourself—and be prepared to laugh continuously!