Fool’s gold

Film review: This Is The End

MANILA, Philippines - Seth Rogen's pet project of a film, This Is The End, answers the question of how far one can go with a bunch of Hollywood friends in making a film that's based on one wild premise, and is scripted only half the time. It would seem the answer is very far indeed, when one relies on charm, outrageous humor and situations, and a whole lot of attitude. Released in the USA the same week as Man of Steel, the film shot to No. 2 during the weeks it was in circulation, only eclipsed by Superman. To be shown exclusively in Ayala cinemas, this shaggy dog of a film is reminiscent of the Ted and Bill films of yesteryear, but with new cultural references and icons to poke fun at, and giving us a deranged form of cinema verite — or creating a new film movement based on zany verisimilitude. Either way, Rogen and his band of “stoners,” get to laugh all the way to the bank.

The storyline is as thin as Stan Laurel. Playing themselves, Seth welcomes Jay Baruchel to LA, and proceeds to take him to James Franco's house-warming party, where we find the likes of Jonah Hill, the uninvited Danny McBride, Emma Watson, Rihanna, Michael Cera and a bunch of other Hollywood celebrities who all truly hang out. Jay is so anti-LA scene that he gets Seth to leave the party and accompany him to get a pack of cigarettes. All hell breaks loose while at the convenience store, and while some think major earthquake, Jay is convinced he has witnessed Judgment Day, the Biblical end of the world. They head back to Franco's house where the party is still in full swing, until the realization hits them that something portentous is in fact happening. What follows is one crazy scenario after another, punctuated by in-jokes, self-administered character assassination, and a continuous stream of hilarious cameos — I especially loved Emma Watson's “return” and Channing Tatum. And oh yes, the appearance of a boy band of our past!

The film gets by on brio and charm, with the characters all making fun of their Hollywood celebrity status, and showing that when push comes to shove, they're all just as petty, insincere, devious, noble, semi-brave and human as any of us. Yes, just like us, they're all of the above. Never taking the film, or themselves, seriously, the film is constantly in danger of falling flat on its face, but surprisingly chugs along with brazen humor and has us rooting, constantly surprised by how far these guys will improv to make us chuckle, laugh, or shake our heads in disbelief. Sure, one can see the film as an overlong, extended Saturday Night Live skit; but I have to admit that my sons and I were enjoying ourselves during the film's entirety.