This Is The End: It's The End Of The World And I Feel Fine

From 2005 to the most recent Bridesmaids, Judd Apatow's frat pack of friends/actors have ruled the comedy screen.  They've successfully redefined the comedy genre by not only providing some of the crudest, filthiest, and funniest movies of the last eight or so years, but these movies are also smart, charming, full or heart, and overall (save for a select few) great films.  It all began with The 40-Year Old Virgin which taught Hollywood that a movie could be crass as hell, but still have a ton of heart.  It could appeal to both men and women alike.  Knocked Up only served to back that argument and solidify, not just Judd Apatow as a comedy staple, but introduce us to some of the most key players in comedies to come.  We met Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, Jason Segal, Jay Baruchel, and were re-introduced to Paul Rudd, Michael Cera, as well as cementing James Franco as a household comedic name.  For the first few years, these players could do no wrong in the eyes of viewers.  Some of the best comedies of all time have come out of the last few years (The 40-Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up, Superbad, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Pineapple Express, Bridesmaids).  But, just as all comedy does, people got a little tired of the same schtick.  While the movies themselves were far better than most comedies released at the time, audiences were looking for something new.  Apatow films, while still bankable by name alone, weren't producing the best of films (Get Him To The Greek, Funny People, Year One).

Then, the frat pack split up.  Seth Rogen did a "superhero" movie and a shitty Hollywood mom-com with Barbara Streisand.  Jonah Hill lost weight and went a more serious route.  James Franco went back to being a douche.  Segal focused more on his television show.  Paul Rudd is really the only one mass producing forgettable movies one after another.  So, a reunion of the guys is exactly what all of us were rooting for.  This Is The End, based off a fake trailer by Seth Rogen and Jay Baruchel called Jay and Seth Versus The Apocalypse.  It stars everyone you can think of that you've ever seen in an Apatow related film.  The vague hint of a plot is this: Jay has come to town to spend the weekend at Seth's place.  Seth suggests they go to Franco's house for a big housewarming party.  There, Jay is uncomfortable around all the celebs because he's never really adapted to the life of a celebrity.  During the party, naturally, the apocalypse happens.  Most everyone is killed during it save for Seth, Jay, Jonah, Franco, Craig Robinson, and Danny McBride.  The six of them must band together to stay alive barricaded in Franco's house.  Of course, all does not go to plan.  Danny McBride unknowingly cooks a majority of the food, their water supply is limited, there are demonous creatures on the outside of the house, they get robbed by Emma Watson, etc.

What's great about the film is that these guys get to play themselves.  It's funny to hear celebrities talk about being celebrities as if they were real people.  It's hilarious to hear them rag on one another for some of the film choices they've made.  It's perfect to hear Danny McBride chastise Jonah Hill's acting ability since he's supposed to be an Academy Award nominated person.  But, what works the best besides the meta-plot are the little [fake] nuances each character is given.  On the surface they're themselves, but deep down some of the actions displayed are hilarious movie characters with quirks that make everything click.  Jay hates Jonah Hill for apparently no reason, Jonah acts like America's sweetheart, but underneath is an asshole.  Franco has some deep man-love for Rogen because of their experiences filming Pineapple Express.  Craig Robinson acts tough, but underneath is a kitten.  And Danny McBride acts like the self-centered piece of shit everyone expects he is in real life and he probably gets the most laughs.  But, the scene stealer of the movie is Michael Cera.  He's not in it long (spoiler: he doesn't survive the apocalypse), but the scenes he's in, he's a misogynistic, coke-snorting, drunk animal.  It's such the opposite of what you'd expect out of Michael Cera, you'll laugh so hard you'll cry.

The end of the world is also the perfect backdrop for a reunion film for these guys.  It gives them plenty of conflict that isn't forced.  I mean, it's the end of the world.  You don't really have to think too hard while writing the film about what conflicts to introduce to the six friends.  There's conflict all around.  It's how these guys react to these situations as well as try to solve them is where the best moments of comedy are found, which is nice considering there isn't much of a plot.  But, there doesn't need to be.  It's famous people fighting to stay alive amidst the end of the world.  And while there's hardly a female face to be found in the film, there's still plenty of heart.  There's man-love aplenty. 

It's also refreshing to see a spin on the post-apocalyptic film genre by spinning it into a comedy.  And it's funny.  It's really, really funny.  Not all the jokes hit, and the ones that don't are quite obvious and awkward, but a majority of them do.  There's also a couple of instances of incredibly hilarious cameos.  It's definitely not the year of the comedy this year, but you'll be hard-pressed to find a film funnier all year.  If you've loved any of the Apatow films of the past, this is one film that's worth your dollars.

B+