This is the end (Evan Goldberg) 2013
Score:82%
A film starring half my most despised actors of all time that completely surprised me and quickly became one of my most loved movies. I could write a few pages on why I find Jonah Hill and Seth Rogen highly irritating but instead I'd prefer to write about how 'This is the end' was a welcome change and a redeeming light.
Breaking the fourth Wall:
Seth Rogen as Seth Rogen
James Franco as James Franco
Jonah Hill as Jonah Hill
Lot's of films, paticularly comedies have and will continue to do this, and some critics of the film argued that doing so made the film all the more pretentious. With actors whose comedic nature is to be pretentious like Seth Rogen and Jonah Hill, performing in a narrative where the characters they portray are themselves creates if anything a more honest atmosphere than their other works. Suddenly there is this opportunity to criticise and make fun of each other. A memorable moment is when Seth Rogen is accused of playing the same guy in every movie. Not only is this partly true but by admitting this the film begins it's path to atonement.
Character development:
Thank God! Something cinema blockbusters really struggle to concentrate on. Partly because of the honest and more human atmosphere of actors playing themselves as characters, we see personal arguments unravel and emotions cloud characters judgement. That and in a (comedic) horror situation the survivors do not simply act out stock roles, they each bring unique and hilarious contributions to the plot.
An end that the audience deserves:
Too often in cinema it feels like the narrative is sugar-coated to deliberately be less distressing. This forced optimism inevitably ends up damaging the whole project. Although it may seem obvious and perhaps quick or rushed the denouement of the film provides exactly the right kind of emotional release that the audience needs.
