The conclusion to the popular Cornetto trilogy has arrived. It’s been 6 long years since the last Pegg/Wright collaboration, but they’ve not lost their magic. Of course Shaun of The Dead will always be the bar where film was raised to such great heights. They had a formula to work with, helping it become one of the best meta horror films we’ve been graced with. Just like Hot Fuzz, The World’s End isn’t a new ground breaking idea, we’ve seen this style of film before, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t good. Just like the two previous films, and the core themes taken from Spaced, we get a sleek looking film, pub humour and a message about life and humanity – as they’re quick to observe the ‘Star-bucking’ way of the world. The problem with the film is it shifts through ever changing levels of momentum. We begin with a slow build up, then the story really starts to move along, but it loses itself once again, finally coming back in a blaze of glory before a dodgy, yet ambitious ending.
The story is about 5 friends who, in their teen years, tried and failed the epic (and possibly self-created) pub crawl, ‘The Golden Mile’ in their home town of Newhaven. Since that fateful night they’ve all moved on with their lives, and haven’t looked back, that is apart from Gary, played by Simon Pegg, who thrives once again in the cringe-worthy loser role he does so well. Gary feels like he has unfinished business with Newhaven and is determined to get the band back together. Nick Frost plays his former best buddy, Andy, who for once in the trilogy despises Pegg’s character of Gary, and plays quite a straight, hard-ass type. The rest of the cast is made up of the returning Martin Freeman (a man with one of the best facial expressions in the business) playing Oliver, Eddie Marsan as Peter, the shy and lovable type, and Paddy Considine as Steven, who is effectively the better version of Gary – Gary, if he’d sorted his life out and grown up. The main cast are joined by Rosamund Pike, a former James Bond girl and special appearances from regular cast members Mark Heap and Rafe Spall.
Edgar Wright’s abilities as a Director have certainly come a long way since his time in Hollywood, and for those who don’t follow his work too much and are only aware of his previous two Cornetto films, you’re in for some surprises. This is a feel-good Sci-Fi Comedy film with a message a lot of middle-aged men will be able to relate too – thinking about the good old days and wanting to have one more night of glory. With some very fun fight scenes (what else would we expect) and some fantastic lines that are set to become classics in the near future, The World’s End is sure to satisfied old and new fans alike.
While it’s the end of the ‘trilogy’, I doubt this will be the last time the close friends work together, with whispers of a Spaced reunion always in the air. These are the biggest names in British comedy right now and if you get another British double act that even remotely gain attention, instant comparisons and calls of Pegg/Frost are made, so don’t expect this to be the last time we see them together on the big screen or small screen.
My Rating: A genuinely funny film with lines that you’ll be quoting for days (6/10).
The World’s End is released nation-wide (UK) and will be released August 23rd in the US.
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