Rogen and Goldberg rival the likes of Judd Apatow and Kevin Smith with this film!

Rating: 10/10 (13 June 2013)

'THIS IS THE END': Five Stars (Out of Five) The funniest movie so far this year is this apocalyptic comedy with Seth Rogen and all his real life buddies playing asshole caricature versions of themselves while trapped in James Franco's house as the world comes to an end. The film also features actors Jay Baruchel, Jonah Hill, Danny McBride and Craig Robinson. It has great cameo turns from Michael Cera, Emma Watson, Channing Tatum and many others as well. The movie was directed by first time film directors Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg and also written by the duo (the team has wrote multiple other hit comedies together like 'SUPERBAD', 'PINEAPPLE EXPRESS', 'THE GREEN HORNET' and 'THE WATCH'). They also wrote the short this film is based on, 'JAY AND SETH VERSUS THE APOCALYPSE', with it's director Jason Stone. That 2007 short also starred Rogen and Baruchel as two guys trapped in a room together as the world ends. Rogen and Goldberg not only continue their reputation as great comedic writers here but also prove themselves to be excellent directors. They rival the likes of Judd Apatow and Kevin Smith with this film; it's that funny! The film begins with Seth Rogen picking up his long time best bud Jay Baruchel at the airport. The two haven't seen each other in a while and go back to Seth's place to celebrate (by watching movies on a 3D TV and smoking weed). Seth then talks Jay into going to a party at James Franco's house (full of celebrities that are all Franco and Rogen's friends) even though Jay doesn't feel comfortable around Seth's friends, who he doesn't know very well. Jay meets Franco and Craig Robinson for the first time at the party and is also reintroduced to Jonah Hill, who he has a strong disliking for. Feeling uncomfortable and like an outsider Jay talks Seth into going to the local convenience store with him and that's when the apocalypse starts. Things begin blowing up and people start getting sucked into the sky. They rush back to Franco's house and become trapped there with him, Robinson, Hill and an uninvited Danny McBride. The movie is hilarious from start to finish. What's most funny about the film is perhaps how Rogen, Baruchel and the others present themselves as very relatable average people that have just been corrupted by fame and fortune. Everyone in the film is presented as pretty unlikeable (some more than others) except for Baruchel (who for me is always very likable and extremely relatable). He's the heart of the film, and kind of the viewer's guide through it, but the movie also focuses heavily on friendship (most of all Rogen and Baruchel's) and relationships with acquaintances (good ones and bad). The awkward relationships developed in the film lead to some of it's funniest moments but like all of Rogen's films the movie has a very positive and heartfelt message about friendship. It also has a somewhat spiritual message about being a better person. The messages of the film are of course exaggerated and pretty cheesy though (for the most part). It's most of all a laugh riot. The film does grow a little long and tiresome (slightly) towards the end but it has a great conclusion and is mostly flawless (as a comedy). Rogen and Goldberg do an outstanding job writing and debut directing but it's the cast that really makes the film and I think it's great that they're all willing to poke so much fun at themselves, the way they do in this movie!