In 2007 Seth Rogen and Jay Baruchel did the short film Jay and Seth Versus the Apocalypse. It was a short film with just the two of them in a room, mostly arguing. I did not think it was that funny or interesting, but it was that short which would be the inspiration for this movie, This Is the End. The question is whether this comedy also disappoints or if it is comedy gold.
Both Seth Rogen and Jay Baruchel return in this movie and are the two the movie initially focusses on. They are close friends and Rogen is doing everything he can to make Baruchel feel at home in Los Angeles as he has made clear he does not like the town. Rogen tells him they have been invited to a party over at James Franco’s house and if he is willing to come along. Baruchel reluctantly agrees and the two end up at a huge party over at James Franco’s house. When the two of them shortly leave the party to get some things from a grocery store strange things start to happen. Strange lights transport people into the sky, sinkholes start appearing and when they are back at the house they can only do one thing, stay where they are and try to survive.
The main cast in this movie is great. Seth Rogen, James Franco, Jay Baruchel, Danny McBride, Craig Robinson and Jonah Hill really have a lot of chemistry and vibe of each other. It results in some hilarious dialogue (with lots of improvisation) and some very funny situations. These actors are mostly friends in real life and it really shows. They play “themselves” and regularly make jokes about what the other actors have done in real life. This Is the End is a joy to watch, the humour is sometimes extreme (for example a scene where these actors are trying to pick up a severed head), but all the more hilarious for it. The amount of cameos is also impressive, with two obvious standouts: Michael Cera finally plays a role which is completely opposite of what he normally plays (he is a real asshole in this movie and it provides some big laughs) and Emma Watson also has some memorable moments. It is not often that I rewatch a movie soon after I’ve seen it, but since I already seen it twice now it is definitely one of my favorite comedies of the year.
Nice review and great to see a high rating. I am not a big fan of these kind of movies, but I have to admit I really laughed hard during This Is The End and it’s one of the funniest films I’ve seen in quite some time.
Yeah, it was an awesome movie…really funny and one I will happily rewatch in the future.
I enjoyed it, but couldn’t (and still can’t) stand Danny McBride, who almost ruined it for me. Thought Rogen and Baruchel made great leading roles work the best. Watson was funny, although it was less about what she said, and more about what she did, while I did laugh nicely at Michael Cera, as you pointed out.
Yeah, McBride does always seem to play the same type of character, but in this movie I thought it was a good fit. Cera was very funny, especially since it was something you would not expect from him.
Loved this movie as well. One of my favorites of the year.
I also loved the Chaning Tatum cameo.
Yeah, that cameo was very unexpected and shocking….but also extremely funny 🙂
+ 1 on Tatum.
Good review Nostra. I just had so much fun hanging out with these guys, cracking jokes, and just getting everything that they were saying or alluding to.
Thanks Dan. They are so enjoyable to watch in this movie and like you say it is a joy to get what they are talking about.
Glad you liked it. 9 is about what I’d score it, so much fun and Danny McBride is hilarious and the stand out for me. 🙂
He wasn’t my personal favorite, but he was a good fit for the role he played.
Surprisingly good comedy film 😀
Yeah, it surprised me as well!