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SimplyScripts Screenwriting Discussion Board    Reviews    Movie, Television and DVD Reviews  ›  This is the End Moderators: Nixon
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  Author    This is the End  (currently 2293 views)
James McClung
Posted: June 18th, 2013, 12:15am Report to Moderator
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Had to wait a day or so to review this proper but it's still fresh in my mind so here it goes...

A slew of famous comedic actors gather at James Franco's house for a housewarming party, which is subsequently interrupted by a devastating, Book of Revelations-specific Apocalypse. Our protagonists (Seth Rogen, James Franco, Jonah Hill, Jay Baruchel, Craig Robinson, and Danny McBride - all playing themselves, respectively) take shelter in Franco's soon-to-be-fortified pad, following the mass slaughter of many cameo appearances, and wait for things to blow over. Comedy ensues... somehow.

Okay. First things first. If you don't like any of the actors listed above, they're not going to convert you with this one. Also, if rampant vulgarity and excess drug and alcohol consumption don't appeal to your sense of humor, this one isn't for you either. If you fall into either category, I'd steer clear of This is the End.

Now that that's out of the way... wow! I was completely blown away by this film. I wasn't impressed by the trailer nor was I even anticipating this with all that much excitement as much as I did enjoy the writer/directors' previous efforts Superbad and Pineapple Express. But man, was I shocked at how much I was laughing throughout this one. The experience reminded me of films like Austin Powers: Goldmember or the original Scary Movie. Not that those were the greatest comedies ever (or even good comedies at all) but when they came out, the laughs in the theater were seemingly unrelenting and the gags seemed to only get more and more outrageous. This is the End feels almost throwback in that sense. A truly uproarious comedy.

Now indeed this film throws everything and the kitchen sink at you but I do think it has some solid grounding. First and foremost, the characters... yes, I said characters. Despite the fact that all the actors are credited as playing themselves, they are without a doubt exaggerated versions of themselves with distinct personalities. Writers Rogen and Evan Goldberg did a great job mining from all the actors' personal traits such as Franco's fondness for art or Hill's Academy Award nod and using them to spin some very flamboyant and entertaining alternate versions of these people that technically *could* exist.

Secondly, the performances are some of the best that have come out of these actors and their chemistry is pitch-perfect. A lot of the actors really put themselves on the line in terms of just how self-deprecating they were willing to go. Out of the main group, Franco and Hill stand out in their guts to portray themselves as pathetic and loathsome as their characters are but the stand out for the film is hands down Michael Cera. The performance is unbelievable in this film, easily the best he's ever done and ironically the only role he's had in which he doesn't act anything like Michael Cera... despite the fact that he's playing Michael Cera. I really can't go too much into what he does in this film, only that it needs to be seen to be believed. Don't even like the guy but I was really impressed.

Craig Robinson and Jay Baruchel do some surprisingly decent dramatic work in the film as well. But I'll get to that stuff later.

Anyway, the writing, the use of meta, the courageous performances, and the fact that all these guys are not only really talented but more importantly friends who enjoy working together and trust each other just makes all the comedy zing. Much of the scenes are improvised and give a really loose and natural feel to the humor even when it's clear that the actors are milking some of the lines perhaps a little too much or the scenes drag on too long. On top of all of that, Rogen and Goldberg are just really good writers. Of course, the stoner stuff and the dick and fart jokes are there but there's also a lot of slapstick, situational comedy, and wit in there as well, which keeps the humor varied and dynamic.

Now what was even more surprising out the film other than how funny it was, was how nicely they were able to balance the humor with the plot. I mean, it's a comedy first and foremost and sometimes the plot is scrapped in favor of comedy but indeed the Rapture plot was surprisingly detailed and compelling. There're many genuinely scary and suspenseful moments that are played straight, to the point that I was actually reminded of Spielberg blockbusters like Jurassic Park and War of the Worlds. There's a couple of monsters that appear throughout the film and it seems as if the directors put just as much thought into their look as someone like Guillermo del Toro might while simultaneously not going overboard with it. There's also quite a bit of gore in the film and while some of it is played for laughs, it's all very graphic and realistic. FX legends Greg Nicotero and Howard Berger (who else?) provide for the carnage.

But what really struck me about this plot-humor juxtaposition was how dramatic elements were worked in. I mean, you have six guys who are trapped in a house with few resources surrounded by fire, violent plate tectonics, sinkholes, looters, and bloodthirsty demons among other things. Take the comedy away, I felt a lot of the situations these characters fell into were ones anyone naturally would, such as discussing food and water rations, organizing work shifts, and delegating who out of the group would go on select dangerous missions. A surprising amount of dramatic tension came out of these scenes. There also come about a lot of discussions regarding the fact that because this is the Rapture and all these characters are still on earth, not a one of them can possibly be a decent person, hence comes some more introspective moments and reflecting on friendships and such.

Still, they keep it light for the most part. I wouldn't call this film deep or even dark by any means. There's a lot of heart to it and the moments where it was able to strike a balance between all its elements conjured up a kind of old school Hollywood feel to me. There were a select few moments where I was reminded of films like Ghostbusters and Back to the Future. This one might not be cut exactly from the same cloth but I'm positive these guys are into those films.

Throw in some excellent cinematography, cameos a plenty (one of which will be going down with Michael Cera as legendary, I expect), and an ending that's perhaps a little too silly but certainly well-earned and that I wouldn't have went with if the film hadn't been so entertaining.

All in all, one of the funniest, most varied and entertaining films I've seen in a long time. I expect Superbad was the last bonafide comedy that got me the way this one did. Highly recommend to the people who are already know they enjoy this type of stuff. Everybody else, it's not going to convert you.


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INTS
Posted: June 18th, 2013, 7:52am Report to Moderator
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Someday we all gona DIE !!!

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This movie feels cheap,  money making cliché shit.  They gave rhianna 5 min.  screen time to attract attention.  Never,  never will watch that shit.  Shame on Hollywood  
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dogglebe
Posted: June 18th, 2013, 8:24am Report to Moderator
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Toby_E
Posted: June 18th, 2013, 8:59am Report to Moderator
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Quoted from INTS
This movie feels cheap,  money making cliché shit.  


In what sense? I, personally, think it is a brilliant idea, and am eagerly anticipating the release of it.


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Guest
Posted: June 18th, 2013, 9:04am Report to Moderator
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Seeing it tonight!!!  

Hopefully also get to see the Wolf of Wall Street trailer  
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albinopenguin
Posted: June 18th, 2013, 1:43pm Report to Moderator
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Seriously INTS? This movie is a making fun of Hollywood cliches. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were trolling.

Definitely agree with James' review (although I was a little less enthused about the film as a whole). It's downright hilarious, surprising, and really scary at times. The scares are awesome and very unexpected. Since it's a comedy, you're naturally relaxed while watching it. You'll be laughing at a joke one minute, and then jumping out of your seat the next.

I would say McBride steals the show, but ultimately that reward goes to Cera.

The movie did feel like a series of sketches however. Furthermore, I think they spent too much time at Franco's house. There's a TON of places you could take this concept...and I wish they explored the outside world a little bit more.

Overall, an absolute blast. These guys needed this movie. Not as good as Superbad, but close.

B+ for me.


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Ryan1
Posted: June 18th, 2013, 2:27pm Report to Moderator
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Just read the script and it's hilarious.  Haven't seen the movie, but judging from the commercials, they did improv quite a bit on set.  
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Guest
Posted: June 18th, 2013, 10:02pm Report to Moderator
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Just got back... hilarious.  Great time
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Heretic
Posted: June 18th, 2013, 10:57pm Report to Moderator
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Won't write it out again as I pretty much agree with Albino word for word. Not perfect but well worth the watch. See it while theatres are full!
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INTS
Posted: June 19th, 2013, 11:06am Report to Moderator
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I DON'T want to hurt anyones feelings but let's be real here...  almost all parodoey are shit.  you now why?  Cos there is no logic and structure or laws of environment in them.  Any amature can make parody that's why there is no parody which received any decent award like golden globe or cann festival or academy award
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Guest
Posted: June 19th, 2013, 12:07pm Report to Moderator
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Regardless...... this is the end is hilarious
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DV44
Posted: June 19th, 2013, 12:14pm Report to Moderator
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Quoted from Guest
Regardless...... this is the end is hilarious


I agree. Michael Cera and Danny McBride had me laughing out loud.
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Toby_E
Posted: June 19th, 2013, 2:24pm Report to Moderator
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Quoted from INTS
I DON'T want to hurt anyones feelings but let's be real here...  almost all parodoey are shit.  you now why?  Cos there is no logic and structure or laws of environment in them.  Any amature can make parody that's why there is no parody which received any decent award like golden globe or cann festival or academy award


I'm going to have to politely disagree with everything you have written here. It's not just parodies which get snubbed by major awards, it's comedies in general. But Blazing Saddles got quite a few nominations for various different awards when that was released, and that was most definitely a parody. I will agree that there have been some diabolical parodies in recent years, as there have been some diabolical comedies in general, and diabolical films from about every other genre. And because something doesn't win a decent award, that makes it shit? Come one, man. We all know that awards won is rarely indicative of quality.


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AmbitionIsKey
Posted: June 19th, 2013, 2:42pm Report to Moderator
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I'm going to see this with friends whenever it comes out.  Love Jonah and Franco, cannot wait to see them in this.  I think the idea is good, it just seems like a really fun movie.

-- Curt


"No matter what you do, your job is to tell your story..."

Short scripts

GONE
(6 pages, drama/thriller)
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Heretic
Posted: June 19th, 2013, 3:38pm Report to Moderator
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Quoted from Toby_E
We all know that awards won is rarely indicative of quality.


What's this? Are you implying that Titanic isn't one of the three best films of all time?!
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