Review - The World's End

At the Theater - "The World's End" - The "Three Flavours Cornetto Trilogy" comes to a satisfactory, albeit slightly underwhelming conclusion with the Science Fiction tilted, "The World's End"- everything's humming along quite admirably, with the razor sharp dialogue and undeniable energy displayed so excellently in the first two films ("Shaun Of The Dead" and "Hot Fuzz"), when Writer/Director Edgar Wright apparently paints himself into a corner with an off-kilter ending. What comes before is the signature chemistry between Simon Pegg and Nick Frost we've grown to love (those of us with discerning tastes) and the fresh, madcap hi-jinx of Edgar Wright's screenwriting. Expect excellent work from all of the support involved while the musical selections are once again a spot-on highlight. The overall experience should leave a smile on the faces of those with an appreciation for that lovably odd British humor. 

Simon Pegg's hedonistic ringleader, "Gary King", reunites a group of five estranged, 40-something friends in an effort to  return to their hometown of Newton Haven and re-attempt an epic 12 pub crawl that they failed to complete as teenagers.  The group soon find that all is not right with the townspeople, with sinister forces having been quite busy during their extended absence.

Pegg (Star Trek Into Darkness) has all the markings of a serious actor tucked away behind his lively comedic charm- there's a unbelievably touching and poignant scene featured in this film's climax, involving the dangers of being consumed with one's past, that sealed that notion for myself.  Nick Frost (Pirate Radio) is as likeable as ever as "Andy Knightley", while it's a crime that Paddy Considine (Dead Man's Shoes), as "Steven Prince" here, doesn't land more meaty, starring roles. Martin Freeman ("Bilbo Baggins" in the The Hobbit films) and Eddie Marsan (Sherlock Holmes) are pitch perfect in support, portraying "Oliver Chamberlain" and "Peter Page", respectively. There's good reason for those cool, medieval surnames.

That wide-eyed, English wonder, Rosamund Pike (Jack Reacher) enters near the end of the first act as "Sam", Oliver's sister and a former conquest of The King.  There's a small story arc regarding a case of unrequited love between the former Bond Girl and Steven that I wish had been given a little more time to blossom.

Speaking of Bond, Pierce Brosnan (GoldenEye) is featured in a cameo- it's pretty cool when one remembers Timothy Dalton's villainous turn in Hot Fuzz.  Bill Nighy (Love, Actually) supplies some late-film voice work, while David Bradley ("Argus Filch" in the Harry Potter films) and Irish Comedian Michael Smiley round out the recognizable faces.

Expect more than a few nods to Sci-Fi fims like Invasion Of The Body Snatchers (1956), Invaders From Mars (1953), The Stepford Wives (1975) and John Carpenter's The Thing, with a handful of elaborate, well-choreographed bar fight scenes that pay homage to Jackie Chan's The Legend Of Drunken Master and The Matrix.  Fans of the two previous films in the trilogy will undoubtedly get a kick out of the inclusion of a few running gags and other familiar happenings.  Remember to pay attention to certain events that occur in each pub the group visit, keeping the respective pub's name in mind... it should lead to a pretty nifty revelation.

The World's End is unquestionably involving, often highly entertaining and fun enough throughout, though it's rarely laugh-out-loud funny and doesn't quite live up to the narrative strength of it's predecessors.  It's still well-worth a look for those interested and may flourish with time and subsequent viewings. I'm not much of a beer drinker, but damned if there hasn't been TWO films this year that have made me want to grab a couple of brews immediately after leaving the theater...

8.0 out of 10

FWIW-

Shaun Of The Dead - 9.0
Hot Fuzz - 8.5