This is the End (2013) - Movie Review

This is the End - Fine Enough

Rating - 6/10

“We should just stay in here, fortify this bitch, and take inventory of everything we have.”

    This is the End is a bizarre, chaotic, and self-aware comedy that brings together a group of Hollywood friends playing exaggerated versions of themselves during the apocalypse. It is a movie built entirely around absurdity and celebrity parody, and while it is certainly funny in places, it often leans too heavily on its own gimmick to stay consistently entertaining.

    The cast is what makes this film work as well as it does. Seth Rogen, James Franco, Jonah Hill, Danny McBride, Jay Baruchel, and Craig Robinson all fully commit to the ridiculous premise, gleefully mocking their public images and each other. The chemistry between them feels natural, which helps carry the film through some of its weaker moments. The improvisational energy and outrageous banter are the heart of the comedy, even if some jokes overstay their welcome.

    The apocalyptic setting is filled with outrageous visuals and intentionally crude humor. The film mixes raunchy comedy with surprisingly elaborate special effects, and while the absurdity is part of the charm, it can also make the movie feel uneven. Some scenes drag on too long, and the constant barrage of shock humor begins to wear thin before the credits roll.

    Still, This is the End works as a snapshot of early 2010s comedy and as a time capsule of a particular moment in the careers of its cast. It has plenty of laughs, a few genuine surprises, and a strangely sweet message hidden beneath all the chaos. It is not a great film, but it knows exactly what it is and has fun being just that. For fans of Rogen’s brand of comedy, it delivers enough laughs to be worth a watch, even if it never quite ascends to comedy classic status.