By Chris Snellgrove | Published
It’s rare these days to find a high-quality, R-rated comedy, and it’s even harder to find celebrities who are willing to pretend to be a really good joke. But would you believe that Netflix now has an apocalyptic comedy where director Seth Rogen gets all of his most famous friends to play misguided caricatures of themselves in an unforgettably horrific setting? That movie This is the End (2013), and it’s time for you to find the most sinful sex film that wouldn’t be made today.
The foundation of This is the End that Seth Rogen (who plays himself, like the other stars) attends James Franco’s party full of famous people when the rapture is straight out of the Book of Revelation. This turns what was meant to be a night of loose fun into a frenzied battle for survival that continues into the next day, and these events of destruction lead to struggles with everything from cannibals to demons. Unless our Hollywood heroes can defeat Satan himself, they may be dragged to Hell and the rest of the world.
Hollywood Goes To Hell
This is the conclusion it’s a rare Bible-based dark comedy, and like a good book, it’s Old Testament…sort of. Back in 2007, Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg wrote Jay and Seth Versus the Apocalypsea short film in which Seth Rogen and Jay Baruchel must try to survive the events of an unspecified apocalypse by throwing themselves into a barricaded house. After the film’s trailer went viral on YouTube, Rogen and Goldberg teamed up to direct This is the Enda big-budget, star-studded adaptation of their incredibly insane short.
Because this is a blockbuster adaptation Jay and Seth Versus the Apocalypseyou will not be surprised to find that the first stars of This is the End by Jay Baruchel (well known outside of this film Goon) and Seth Rogen (well known Pineapple Express), its chemistry helps turn the end of days into the ultimate comedy. Rogen deserves some credit for being a real triple threat here: in addition to directing the film, he also co-wrote and co-directed it. This is clearly a passion project for the talented actor, too This is the End has stood the test of time as the last R-rated comedy of the modern era before the entire genre passed into the broadcast sunset.
The Stars Are All Out Tonight
Baruchel and Rogen are joined by a galaxy of stars playing wonderfully misguided versions of themselves, including James Franco (best known for Spring breakers), Jonah Hill (well known 21 Jump Street), and Craig Robinson (who is best known for Hot Tub Time Machine). They make up a great cast, although no one steals the show like Danny McBride (who is best known for Pineapple Express), who serves as the film’s main agent of chaos. A special mention goes to stars like Emma Watson and especially Michael Cera for totally relying on outrageous punchlines that are completely at odds with their clean-cut regulars.
It took a biblical budget of about $37 million to deliver This is the End in life. Fortunately, the film was able to reap what it sowed, earning a healthy $127 million at the box office. Sadly, you shouldn’t hold your breath for the next sequel: while Evan Goldberg has a few interesting ideas for a sequel (including where Danny McBride would play the biblical Adam), co-director Seth Rogen has insisted that a sequel is unlikely, but if it ever happens (with God’s intervention, perhaps), he would like to give it a cheeky title. No, THIS is the end.
Devil Charm Wins Over Critics
When This is the End came out, reviewers decided that this eclectic ensemble film is apocalyptic bliss. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a score of 82 percent, with critics praising the film for its refreshing energy and funny humor. They also credit the star-studded cast with all their self-deprecating humor and a general willingness to poke fun at their careers for our entertainment.
To me, the willingness of various celebrities to make fun of themselves is a big part of what makes it This is the End very sweet. Trust me: if you’ve enjoyed Michael Cera being a little dweeb in everything from Arrested Development to Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, it’s fun to see him as a cooked party animal who lusts after Rihanna. Plus, if you enjoyed Channing Tatum chewing all over Deadpool and Wolverine, you’ll get a huge kick out of seeing him become (as the film memorably describes) Danny McBride’s “gimp b*tch.”
The Ultimate Horror Comedy Is Just a Click Away
Overall, This is the End it works on several levels: it’s a hybrid comedy where everyone has great chemistry, an apocalyptic blockbuster with great effects, and a horror film with few real scares. It even works as a low-key religious film that (and thank God for this) doesn’t take itself seriously at all. Also, almost every scene in this film is guaranteed to provide at least a big laugh, and that is something that is sorely lacking in many modern comedies.
You will admit that This is the End is it a solid, R-rated comedy movie, or will you decide that this is one apocalyptic movie that needs Jesus (in more ways than one)? You won’t know until you spread its weird perfection. Come for some quippy one-liners and sit down for your favorite celebrities (and your least favorite) who meet gruesome deaths!
