THIS IS THE END (2013)

* * * 1/2
(Comedy)
D: Evan Goldberg, Seth Rogen (James Franco, Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel, Danny McBride, Craig Robinson)
R (brief nudity, comic gore) / C-107m / USA

While attending a party at James Franco's house, Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel and many other celebrities are faced with the apocalypse. When most of them get sucked into a giant hell hole, the survivors (namely the six guys on the movie poster) are trapped in Franco's house, fighting over rations and warding off monsters and Emma Watson.

Great premise and dark humour -- I was all over it like peanut butter and syrup on pancakes. I love James Franco and Seth Rogen in just about anything, and Craig Robinson (NBC's The Office) is so lovable I think he should star in his own movie. He's got the charisma to carry it off.

Basically, it's Clerks crossed with Army of Darkness with a good dose of Ghostbusters. Seth Rogen adapted this from a short film he co-wrote with Jason Stone (Jay and Seth vs. The Apocalypse). It's a high-budget home movie where Seth invites all his buddies in the business to play at James Franco's house. I kind of wish Bruce Campbell was invited to this shindig. Maybe they're afraid he'll take over?

There are a lot of laughs, especially at the expense of Michael Cera, (which has a great payoff), but the viewer's enjoyment will largely rely upon main actors' films and their public personas. Those who enjoy shows like Army of Darkness, Superbad, Pineapple Express, South Park, or any Judd Apatow comedy will have a good time. It delivers the goods, but only a certain core group will appreciate this. Never truly mean-spirited and a fun "party" movie that goes with beer and pizza, This is the End is good-naturedly crude and comically gory, being set in Hollywood during the apocalypse, after all.

This is a tough one. I can recommend this to some people, but warn others to stay away (or rent the DVD). I'm glad I saw it, but I'd rather see it on the Movie Channel in the comfort of my own home. It just didn't have enough of what I'd hope to see, namely movie stars from different genres outside the Rogen comedy universe. I would mix it up a bit. How cool would it be if Judy Dench or Helen Mirren decided to crash the party? They could get ignored by the younger crowd because nobody saw Shakespeare in Love or The Queen. Look, there's Harrison Ford sulking in a corner, growling at everyone to leave him alone. Meryl Street and Daniel Day Lewis have a fist-fight over who can do the most accents. Next-door neighbour Justin Bieber calls the cops to complain about the noise.

But, unfortunately, Seth Rogen won't take my calls. Darn restraining order.