When writing reviews of comedies it becomes quite difficult.
On one hand if it's really good you want to let people know that the movie is
hilarious. At the same time if you start telling the jokes or setting up the
stories prior to punch lines then the jokes aren't funny for those going to see
the movie (I was once told BLAZING SADDLES was hilarious but knowing the jokes
didn't find it near as funny). So let's see what I can do in letting you know
about THIS IS THE END just released on DVD.
It's hilarious. Okay so I know I have to go further than
this. The movie involves real movie stars playing themselves, sort of. Seth
Rogen stars as Seth Rogen picking up his friend Jay Baruchel at the airport for
a visit in LA. They head back to Seth's house where he has everything prepared
for a wonderful visit. But before the night gets too far gone he suggests they
head over to James Franco's house to visit. Jay isn't quite interested because
in his mind this is Seth's new friends which have helped the two part ways
lately.
Of course they show and are greeted by Franco who shows them
around the house he helped design. All of the gang is there too including Jonah
Hill portraying himself as the nicest of guys you could ever want to meet.
Craig Robertson is there as his usual laid back self. While not there at first
Danny McBride makes his presence known as well. All of these actors have been
together in movies one way or another over the last few years. But they're not
alone.
Small parts are played by others from this same group who've
been in some major hits over the past 6 years. Michael Cera (who I've never
been a big fan of but who does a tremendous job of tearing apart his squeaky
clean image here), Christopher Mintz-Plasse, David Krumholtz, Paul Rudd, Jason
Segel, Mindy Kaling, Emma Watson, Kevin Hart, Aziz Ansari and Rihanna all make
an appearance at this party. And yes each one takes a turn at making fun of
themselves and Hollywood culture.
As the night moves on Seth does what Jay predicted he would which
is leave him behind to spend more time with these new LA friends. Of course Jay
also sets him up for failure not realizing that Seth has talked to his LA
friends about accepting Jay as one of them. Eventually the duo head out to pick
up a pack of cigarettes for Jay and on the way talk about the whole situation
while walking. And then it happens.
In a quick mart the ground trembles, windows shatter and
suddenly people are being beamed into the sky by bright blue lights. Yes it's
the Armageddon and those deemed worth are being taken to Heaven. The rest are
left behind. In the midst of destruction and chaos the pair return to Franco's
party to discover no one there has noticed anything happening at all. A few
tremors later and heading to the front lawn they discover LA a flaming mess and
the ground in front of the house opening and swallowing various celebs.
So you're probably saying well gee...this doesn't sound
funny at all. Trust me when I say that as the end begins so do the major
laughs. I know it's hard to believe but it's true. What follows is the
celebrity gang's attempt to survive and find a way to get out. The comedy plays
off of their attempts at survival, their better than the rest attitudes
concerning life and their confrontations with the demons and such released on
this world.
The laughs come naturally in all of this world end mess
rather then being forced. Comedy bits involving character, dialogue, physical
comedy and situational comedy are all found here and to give up even a taste
would be to ruin the movie for viewers. I saw this film at the theater and
laughed more openly than I had at a comedy in years. Being able to watch it on
DVD gave me the chance to hear/see the things I missed and to be able to pause
if I laughed too hard.
One thing you need to realize up front though is that the
humor here is some of the crudest found in some time. Jokes involving bodily
fluids, sex acts and language are strewn throughout. If you've seen movies
involving these actors then you already expected that. For me it didn't offend
and seemed more in line with what I would actually expect from most of these
actors in real life.
I can't begin to recommend this movie enough. As I said it
had me near rolling on the floor at times and that was when I saw it in the
theater. At home I can roll around with no one giving me the eye except for our
dogs and cats. I would venture to say that this is one comedy I'd have no
problem watching over and over again. My guess is, knowing a tad of what to
expect, you will too.
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