This Is the End

This stoner comedy come apocalyptic film sees James Franco host a star-studded get-together in his (fictional) extremely stylish Hollywood home. Yet, as soon as the party is getting started, the end of the world crashes the party; Hollywood is consumed by the fires of hell. This Is the End features a plethora of celebrities, including Seth Rogen (Knocked Up), Jay Baruchel (She’s Out of My League), Jonah Hill (Superbad), and Danny McBride (Your Highness) who all play themselves. With a slight self-mocking tone and many references to the cast’s previous roles and celebrity status to date, this film requires a high level of familiarity with the main cast. Yes, it is indulgent but can be truly funny as seen in Michael Cera’s cameo as a coke-snorting wildman.

Written and directed by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg (Pineapple Express), this film sees the duo’s directorial debut which oozes confidence from both directors and actors. They mix hilarity and horror like pros whilst never letting up on the killer momentum. Filled with self-deprecating humour, it can at times feel like one big, elaborate in-joke, however, as it plays on each cast member’s celebrity status, the film invites everyone to share in the laughter. No egos are too precious and everyone plays up to their reputations: Rogen makes for an amiable stoner, Hill is impossibly nice, and McBride provides the film with half of its humour.

In the end, it’s a crazy idea executed with supreme confidence; This Is the End delivers a wealth of crowd-pleasing comedy.