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| The World's End is so much fun! |
Directed by Edgar Wright
Produced by Nira Park, Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner
Written by Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright
Starring Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Rosamund Pike, Eddie Marsan, Paddy Considine, Martin Freeman, David Bradley and Bill Nighy
****
In completing their Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy, Edgar Wright and company have outdone themselves. Co-writer Simon Pegg is Gary King, a miserable alcoholic who decides to relive the glory days. Gathering his childhood friends (the aptly cast Frost, Marsan, Considine and Freeman) together, he drags them to their hometown for a reunion run at the Golden Mile, which challenges them to drink a pint at all 12 pubs in Newton Haven. One night reliving the past leads to reopening old wounds and puts Gary's friends at odds with him. In the midst of their arguing, they discover the town has been taken over by robots. Completing the pub crawl is the least of their problems, as they fight to get out alive.
Wright, Pegg and Frost have had previous success together, and all of their strengths are on display here. Combining jokes with a supernatural backdrop, this sci-fi/action comedy is a blast from start to finish. Not only does the film fit perfectly with the other two (Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz) in the trilogy, but it also features a spectacular cast. As Gary King, Simon Pegg has never been better. He handles the comedy in stride, but it's his performance in the dramatic moments that really impressed me. Frost, Marsan, Considine and Freeman never put a foot wrong as the rest of the crew, and Rosamund Pike is terrific as a woman from their past. The production also features stunning technical work, and the pacing couldn't be better. Being a casual fan of the other Wright, Pegg and Frost collaborations, I was surprised in the best possible way by this fantastic film. It's been a while since I left the theater smiling, but this film did the trick. Who knew the end of the world could be so much fun?
Oscar Potential: None
Glad you enjoyed this Josh. I LOVE the cast and I'm usually into all things British, but I'm not as fond of this one. I was a bit bored with it in the second half. The jokes just don't feel fresh to me, not as funny as I had hoped. I guess since I loved the first two of the trilogy, I expected more from these guys.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I wasn't expecting much, so I was pleasantly surprised at how much I loved it. :)
DeleteThis makes me happy. I was hoping to see this one this week, and my plans got ruined.
ReplyDeleteHope you get to see it soon. :)
DeleteI can't wait to see this!!!!
ReplyDeleteHope you like it!
DeleteNice review Josh. Not as good as the other ones in the trilogy, but still totally worth the watch for all of the fun, the hilarity, and the surprising amount of heart involved.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dan. I don't love Shaun of the Dead or Hot Fuzz, so I'm surprised that I love this one so much. It just feels like their style is the most effective in this particular film.
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