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Friday, August 23, 2013

MOVIE REVIEW: THE WORLD’S END




Five lifelong friends reunite to complete a historic pub crawl from their youth, and find that reaching the fabled World's End tavern will be no simple undertaking while they also fight for the future of all mankind. Twenty years ago, Gary King (Simon Pegg) and his pals embarked on the ultimate drinking marathon. Nick Frost, Paddy Considine, Martin Freeman, Eddie Marsan, and Rosamund Pike co-star in the final chapter of Edgar Wright's "Three Flavors Cornetto Trilogy," which began with 2004's Shaun of the Dead and continued in 2007's Hot Fuzz. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Edgar Wright

Cast: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Paddy Considine, Martin Freeman, Eddie Marsan

Release Date: Aug 23, 2013

Rated R for sexual References and Pervasive Language

Runtime: 1 hr. 49 min.

Genres: Comedy

Review:

The final entry in the Cornetto Trilogy is the zany over the top homage, this time riffing on classic sci-fi films, we’d come to expect after Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. What’s unexpected and refreshing is the reflective occasionally poignant moments Edgar Wright gives us to chew on. Wright and Pegg wrote the script and it’d have been easy for them to take a easier path down the Golden Mile. Instead they opt for some solid reflection on middle age and trying to recapture those moments from our youth. Of course this is all interwoven between a town full Stepford Wives / Body Snatchers “not robots.” Even though there’s a tangible beating heart at its center, the crew delivers the kind of laughs we’d come to expect. Simon Pegg is allowed to bust loose after playing the straight man in the 2 other films. Pegg, looking intentionally haggard and sporting shoe polish black hair, does a wonderful job of portraying the self centered loser trying desperately to recapture his youth. He has a manic hopped up energy throughout but there’s a tangible sadness behind everything. Nick Frost handles the complicated relationship with Pegg’s character very well. It’s not what we’ve from these two in the other 2 films since it’s a much more complicated dynamic. Paddy Considine, Martin Freeman and Eddie Marsan all have solid but limited roles. Freeman in particular isn’t given a ton to do which is a shame considering the increasingly frenetic pace of the film. The pace grows more erratic and frenzied as the film heads into the final act. Along the way, Wright gives us some of the most enjoyable fight sequences I’ve seen. Each one is wonderfully choreographed and hilarious. The seams do start to fray a bit during the final minutes which drag on a tad bit too long. It felt like the group got a case of Lord of the Rings syndrome and just didn’t want it to end. Honestly, can you blame them?

A-

16 comments:

  1. I'm seeing this in a few minutes because of all the stellar reviews it is getting.

    Great review! You have me even more excited now.

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    Replies
    1. Enjoy man, it's a little more serious in spots than the other two films but still excellent!

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  2. Not my favorite out of the three, but still a very fun and pleasant time at the movies. Also, it's funny as hell and probably worth a bunch of re-watches just to get all of the jokes, puns, double-meanings, and so on and so forth. You get what I'm saying, man. Good review Dan.

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    1. Yeah not my favorite of the 3, still think Shaun and Fuzz are ahead of it in that order but still enjoyed the hell out of it. I can't wait to watch it again to catch all that stuff as well.

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  3. Sooo effin' excited for this. Shaun & Hot Fuz are two of my favorite movies of all time. Get to see it in 2 weeks! :)

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    1. Same here man, just be forewarned it's got a slight more serious tone from time to time than the previous 2 films.

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    2. I enjoyed... no, I loved the hell out of it! As awesome as Hot Fuzz & Shaun!

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    3. It's really a perfect trilogy!

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  4. I haven't seen any of Wright's and Pegg's comedies, but I love British humor so I believe I probably should give them a try.

    -James

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    Replies
    1. I highly recommend them James, start from the beginning, their series Spaced, then Shaun of the Dead and then Hot Fuzz, closing out with The World's End.

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  5. Nice review, Daniel.

    I enjoyed Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and Paul.

    I will check this one out.

    B2B.

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  6. So glad you enjoyed it!

    I thought the ending felt really sad - it feels like the end of an era

    The film lived up to the hype. Here's hoping they decide to make at least one more film!

    K :-)

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    Replies
    1. Yes I can't wait to see it again. I know exactly what you mean about the end, it was bitter sweet.

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  7. I cannot wait to see this. Shaun of the Dead is my favorite zombie film. I know, I catch hell from most opinionated horror geeks saying it's not a real zombie film because it's more comedy. To hell with that! Shaun of the Dead is a 4 star film for me.

    Then I went back and watched the show Simon Pegg and Nick Frost were on called Spaced, and bought the series set on dvd. Then came Hot Fuzz, and I loved it as well. So yeah, I'm dying to see this one. I've heard great things about it. You're review just added to my hype haha.

    I'll probably see it after work one day this week. I avoid Friday's because all the annoying teens love overpopulating the theater.

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    Replies
    1. You and me are in total agreement! I love Spaced, Shaun and Hot Fuzz! I think you'll love this man, can't wait to read your review.

      Don't blame you for going after work during the week, teens and loud talkers are my bane at the movies.

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