This Is The End

2013 ****

Seth Rogan and Jay Baruchel attend a party at James Franco’s house along with several other celebrities all playing a sort of character of themselves. Suddenly the earth begins to shake and all hell breaks loose trapping the small group of friends with little means to survive the apocalypse.

Mastering the fine art of the comedy horror is no easy task. There is a fine line drawn between cheesy and funny, once that line is crossed the film tends to go into a fatal tailspin. I have tremendous respect for the precious few that get it just right.

There are so many factors that make this film gel. The obvious relationship they have with each other beyond filming, the added personality quirks (e.g. Franco’s man crush on Rogan or Jonah Hill’s over-sensitivity), even the way they prioritize their rations. Though they acknowledge the fact of a very real threat beyond the confines of the house they appear to be holding on to a belief that it will blow over somehow. I had to put this film on the board though it does ring more comedy than anything else. Still, it has all the elements of a horror film, large foreboding creatures, gore, possession, a huge predicament and even cannibalism. Though I fully enjoyed the film from beginning to end I sit here at a loss for words in describing it. I believe it is just difficult to convey the entertainment factor without siting specific scenes, which in my eyes would just be spoilers. If you haven’t seen it you’re missing out.