This is the End

This is that comedies are getting dumber or am I getting smarter? It's probably a combination of the two. Not that I'm a brainiac, but "This is the End" has got to be one of the most inane comedies I've seen...ever! When will the stupidity stop!?

This genre of comedy/horror follows six friends, (Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel, James Franco, Jonah Hill, Danny McBride, and Craig Robinson), all playing themselves, who are trapped in Franco's house after a series of strange and catastrophic events devastate Los Angeles. As the world unravels outside, dwindling supplies and 'cabin fever' threaten to tear apart the friendships inside. Eventually, they are forced to leave the house, facing their fate and the true meaning of friendship and redemption.
During the time of being trapped, Jay figures out that all this has got to be the beginning of the end, or the Apocalypse as it is commonly known, found in the Book of Revelation in the Bible, and he feels they all are getting what they might, just might deserve...

Others to round out the cast are Michael Cera, Emma Watson, Mindy Kaling, David Krumholtz, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Rihanna, Martin Starr, Paul Rudd and Channing Tatum, all also playing themselves.

This was adequately directed by Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogen. All in all, Rogen probably fairs better behind the camera than in front. It was written by Rogen and Goldberg based on a story by them, which was based on the short film, "Jay and Seth vs. The Apocalypse" by Jason Stone. And as usual, this is the culprit--bad writing. I'm not sure that the concept of playing themselves was a commentary of the fact that some of these actors DO play themselves a lot, or was this a concept of the writers trying to be fresh and cutting edge? If they were trying to be accurate to scripture, they failed. The research would have been easy, but then if they were accurate, maybe it wouldn't have fit their script--not sure. The acting was overdone, loud, and feeling sorry for any of these people was hard-pressed at best.

With the exception of a few funny lines and some of the visual effects predominantly created by Modus VFX, which were nifty, this film was a total wash. If you must see this, wait for the DVD, or else you'll be crying out of frustration once you leave the cineplex.

Out of 4 Stars: 1                        Rated: R                             107mins.