Film Review: ‘The World’s End’ (15)- Universal Studios (19/07/2013)

Comic dream team Simon Pegg and Nick Frost complete what’s come to be known as the Cornetto Trilogy with ‘The World’s End’- a laugh-out-loud funny flick about five old school chums getting together for the ultimate pub crawl, The Golden Mile in their hometown Newton Haven. It’s already earned a whopping £2.1million at the Box Office from its opening weekend and stars familiar faces from ‘Shaun of the Dead’ (2004) and ‘Hot Fuzz’ (2007) including David Bradley, Martin Freeman and even ex-007 actor Pierce Brosnan.

The soundtrack features the likes of Pulp, Kylie Minogue and Primal Scream that really enhance this slapstick feast for the eyes. ‘The World’s End’ follows hedonistic alcoholic Gary King (Pegg) who feels he has nothing in life but The Golden Mile. He lives in the past and gathers his old school pals together for a 12 pub crawl which reaches its conclusion at ‘The World’s End’ that they never completed as boys. For the first time in the Cornetto Trilogy, Frost plays the character with his head seemingly screwed on, complete with a swanky office (filmed at the IPC Media building, London), whilst Pegg plays the joker who’s the life and soul of the party.

Right from the off there’s a sudden swerve round the corner of the snappy prologue, simply because the first 20 minutes become so dreary that cinema seats would be vacated if it continued much longer. In order to not give the game away, let’s just say the surprise comes in the form of Sci-Fi; blue-blooded creatures of the futuristic variety that provide a welcomed sense of hilarity and physical comedy. It rapidly develops into the kind of film that doesn’t need a complex plot because of how witty, engaging and surprisingly touching it is, “I’ve always loved you… And I’m not just saying that ’cause I’ve had seven pints”, proving that there’s always time for sentiments- even in the midst of an attack from an unfamiliar race.

The films not an out and out Sci-Fi parody, which has allowed humour-driven creativity to blossom under the screenplay supervision of Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright. It’s energetic, sharp and visually dynamic, allowing it some serious credibility in terms of film making, production and overall direction courtesy of Edgar Wright (‘Scott Pilgrim’ vs. The World, ‘Spaced’, ‘Hot Fuzz’) ‘Legend’ and protagonist, the drug-taking, lying Gary King manipulates every one of his school mates to join his quest; the chance to relive their youth. Predictably, there’s a love interest (of sorts), a sense of cosy nostalgia, the element of surprise and countless brilliant one-liners, “"Old nutball and the shifty twins!”/“That’s a good name for a band, you should write that down!”

‘The World’s End’ provides the best character development of the trilogy, probably because the previous films focus more on comic character archetypes, and it’s emotionally deeper. There’s also countless blink-and-you’ll miss-it moments that’re so stylishly edited they’d be at home in an episode of ‘Dr Who’ or straightforward Sci-Fi movie. Pegg and Frost’s chemistry is undeniable and the pair of pop-culture fuelled geeks jam-pack the 109 minute flick with silly, side-splitting performances, “Get in your rocket and f*ck off back to Legoland you c*nt.”

With a fitting finale, this Best of British film is full of giddy energy and wholly entertaining. ‘The World’s End’ is far more than simply re-enacting school days and there’s no denying the acting skill of the cast. It really raises a glass to a sense of British eccentricity and provides a generous helping of satisfaction for Nick Frost and Simon Pegg, who may be calling time on their acting careers.

4/5