In the last few years, people have had an interesting obsession with the end of the world. From real events such as the Mayan prediction of 2012 being the end of the world, to the various zombie media available, everyone seems to be thinking of the end. Another growing obsession recently has been reality TV and fascination with what celebrities are like. Granted, that last point has been around for decades, but it feels intensified in recent years. This is the End attempts to not only bring these elements together, but to turn it into a comedy.

This is the End stars several current comedic actors playing fictional versions of themselves. The story opens with Jay Baruchel coming to L.A. to visit his friend Seth Rogen. The two have been good friends for a long time, but recently the friendship has been challenged and they both know it. Baruchel reluctantly agrees to go with Rogen to a party at James Francos house. Little do they know that an apocalyptic event is about to occur which will leave Franco, Rogen, Baruchel, Craig Robinson, Jonah Hill, and Danny McBride isolated in the house trying to survive.

The first and most important question of any comedy is whether or not its funny. Here is a resounding yes. I can say with complete sincerity that I laughed pretty consistently throughout this film, and quite often laughed very hard. A lot of the comedy comes from improvisations between the actors as well as fun references to the actors other films. There are also a lot of big gags which work as well. Im not going to claim that every joke works, but more do than do not, and there are plenty of moments of total hilarity.

For the most part, the cast here are essentially doing riffs on other characters theyve played. James Franco and Jonah Hill however are twisting their personas in ways I found very fun. More importantly, a lot of these characters do have arcs to work with which help give this film more to latch onto besides the laughs. The same can be said for the story, which is far more interesting, original, and unpredictable than your average comedy. These all insure that during the few moments where ones not laughing, one is still having fun.

The film spots a solid soundtrack, which really help bring laughs. Directors Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg also give the film a lot of nice visual gags as if they had taken the best things Michel Gondry did with Green Hornet and applied them here (albeit to much greater effect). The only thing I really take issue with are the effects. Early effects look weak, but I didnt really mind since this is a comedy and Im not there for the visuals. However letter on the effects look like the actually belong in a higher budget film and it makes the poor effects stand out more.

I can make my petty gripes about the effects all I want though, the fact is this movie succeeds in everything it sets out to do. Not only is the film a total laugh riot, but the story is genuinely interesting and more clever than any mainstream comedy Ive seen in some time. And while not every joke worked, I was constantly entertained from beginning to end. I dont know if this will hold up entirely on a second viewing, but as if now, This is the End is one of the most fun films Ive seen all year.

10/10