Review: This is the End
written by Justin Prince (@prince_justin)
Playing out like a reunion of the cast of Freaks and Geeks and Undeclared, many of these actors also play large (and small) roles in various Apatow films. It’s the end of the world, the rapture has come and the holiest of people ascend into heaven while the forces of hell take the earth, seems like Hollywood with its perceived dickish nature and overall d-bag breeding ground won't be chosen, leaving behind the actors, most of which were at Franco's party. This is how they attempt to survive the apocalypse.
Seth Rogan stars along side former Undeclared co-star Jay Baruchel and former Freaks and Geeks co-star James Franco. The premise of the story is Jay flies down to L.A. to hang out with his good buddy Seth. Seth, being the Hollywood superstar, lives the life of one of young Hollywood’s royalty while Jay seemingly never gave up his small town roots and still lived in Canada. Although reluctant, Jay agrees to come with Seth to a party at James Franco’s house and it is here they experience the end of the world and have to barricade themselves in Franco’s grandiose digs.
"So how do six Hollywood actors survive the apocalypse when all they know is a life of decadence and overpriced paintings?"
Most of their friends and frenemies die when a massive sinkhole opens up in Franco’s front yard. Some of the more notable deaths were a coked out Michael Cera getting impaled by a light pole and Rhianna falling to her death, burning in a sea of lava at the bottom of the sink hole. When the smoke clears and the survivors make it inside, the only ones left are Seth Rogan, Jay Baruchel, James Franco, Jonah Hill, Craig Robinson, and Danny McBride. So how do six Hollywood actors survive the apocalypse when all they know is a life of decadence and overpriced paintings?
The film is epic satire. Of course they are all playing fictionalized versions of themselves, but I love how self-aware they wrote themselves, especially with how they are perceived in the media and by fans. They even take jabs at each other like when Danny McBride criticizes Seth on The Green Hornet or how Franco is this perceived artsy snob. In the opening scenes, many actors who’ve all played alongside each other came cameos and die very horrible deaths. As I mentioned earlier, Michael Cera and Rhianna make cameos and die horrible deaths, but also Jason Segal (Freaks and Geeks/Undeclared alum and various Apatow films), Kevin Hart (that one unruly customer in 40 Year Old Virgin), Aziz Ansari (made a cameo in I Love You Man alongside Segal and Paul Rudd), and of course a very brief scene of Paul Rudd running away and accidently stepping on a girl’s head. Personally I didn’t see Paul Rudd’s death so I like to think he somehow survived and ascended into Heaven when he saved the lives of the members of One Direction… Paul Rudd is just one of my favorite people, ya dig?
Anyway! It’s great fun and if you were a child of the late 90’s you will absolutely love the final scene of the movie. What stood out the most was how they seemed like they had a lot of fun with this movie, never taking themselves too seriously and not being afraid to call out their shortcomings on camera. I didn’t expect much from this and I was greatly surprised by how much a enjoyed this. Great Summer Fun! Go see it!
check out the RED BAND trailer below!!
