HBO recently had The World’s End on, so I recorded it for viewing later when the kiddos would not be around. This is the fourth Simon Pegg and Nick Frost film that I’ve seen now. Let’s see, I’ve seen them in Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and Paul. They are a hilarious comedy duo, and I do enjoy watching them work off each other. This film was directed by Edgar Wright, who has directed some damn fine (and quirky) films (e.g. Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.)
The film is a nutty science fiction comedy starring Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Martin Freeman, Rosamund Pike, Paddy Considine, and Eddie Marsan. They were all a sort of “Rat Pack” in their old English town of Newton Haven 20+ years ago, led by Gary King (Simon Pegg’s character.) Since then, they’ve all moved on to live successful lives, except Gary. On the last day of school, they attempted to complete “the Golden Mile”, a pub crawl of 12 pubs in their home town, but failed. In an attempt to recapture his youth and that brief period of happiness, Gary gets his gang of fellows together to travel back to Newton Haven, and this time actually complete the pub crawl. One pint per bar, all 12 bars, with the last pint at The World’s End pub.
Unfortunately, once the friends arrive at Newtown Haven, they discover they are in the midst of a full-scale alien invasion. Normal people would leave, but Gary is set on completing his pub crawl. It’s of course a screwball comedy, and no one in their right mind would want to stick around and drink during an alien invasion, but that’s where the comedy comes from. It’s a pretty decent comedy, and if you like Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, then you’ll enjoy this film. Rosamund Pike plays their old childhood friend Sam, who is also visiting the town, and gets caught up in all of the hijinks. It’s silly, it’s funny, and lots of language, so don’t watch with the kids present.
The World’s End (2013)