The World's End

Welcome to another episode of Lights....Camera....Popcorn!

Today's review is The World's End.

Directed by Edgar Wright.

Written by Simon Pegg & Edgar Wright.

Review #230

MPAA Rating: Rated R for pervasive language including sexual references.

Run Time: 109 min

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Cast

Simon Pegg...Gary King

Nick Frost...Andy Knightley

Martin Freeman...Oliver Chamberlain

Paddy Considine...Steven Prince

Eddie Marsan...Peter Page

Rosamund Pike...Sam Chamberlain

Jonathan Aris...Group Leader

David Bradley...Basil

Michael Smiley...Reverend Green

The talented trio of Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost have given us 2 of the funniest genre comedy parodies in a very very long time. Shaun of The Dead and Hot Fuzz are CLASSIC films that are just as smart as they are funny. These films were part of a designed trilogy of genre pics affectionately called The Cornetto Trilogy. If you've seen Dead and Fuzz then you'll know why it's called that. So Wright and company took care of the zombie genre and cop genre. The only thing left was an alien invasion. So with great anticipation by me, The World's End graced our screens and I was so excited to see this film.

Unfortunately my excitement ended the moment the lights went out in the room.

Plot

Five friends who reunite in an attempt to top their epic pub crawl from 20 years earlier unwittingly become humankind's only hope for survival. 
The World's End has a MAJOR problem throughout the entire run time. The film is way too serious. The things that made Shaun of The Dead and Hot Fuzz so good was their comedic timing. They found ways to insert hysterical jokes in moments of horror or action where jokes normally would not work. The World's End doesn't have any moments like that. AT ALL. The story revolves around Pegg and Frost which is no surprise since they were the driving forces behind the other two films.

Unfortunately this is where the film fails.

The film has a mysterious subplot involving the two leads and while the intrigue of the rift between them was solid. The execution was poorly executed. Then when the revelation finally happens, it comes at the worst possible moment in the film which takes away from what was supposed to happen. The World's End is full of moments like that and it's unfortunate because they inspire disappointment than joy.

The final piece of the underwhelming puzzle comes by way of the reason for the film itself. The alien invasion was technically not one and was really stupid. I feel horrible saying this about an Edgar Wright film cause I think the guy is brilliant but the choice to make the invaders what they were was just ridiculous. The invaders carried a very important life lesson but the way it's delivered was way too juvenile and nonsensical.

The trio of Wright, Pegg and Frost did a remarkable job making fun of two classic movie genres. They missed the dance with this one and it breaks my heart. The potential of greatness was there and for some reason the film takes a wrong turn at Albuquerque on the way to Pismo Beach. That was a Bugs Bunny reference for all you non geeks out there. I figured I'd end this review on a light note because The World's End sadly didn't.

On the 5 star scale. The World's End gets 1.5 stars. With a "Netflix It!" recommendation.

That's a wrap for today.

Until Next Episode...."I'll Save You A Seat!"

"D"