Release Date: 19th July 2013
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Director: Edgar Wright
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Writer: Edgar Wright - Simon Pegg
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Cast: Simon Pegg - Nick Frost - Martin Freeman - Eddie Marsan - Rosamund Pike - Paddy Considine
Review
'The World's End', the final chapter in Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and Edgar Wright's comedy trilogy. A long awaited film, particularly for British audiences, but also audiences around the world. Needless to say, the film had a lot to live up to - its prequels being 'Shaun Of The Dead' and 'Hot Fuzz', two very popular, acclaimed films.
The narrative of the film follows five old school friends reuniting in their home town, to complete the 'golden mile', a pub crawl consisting of twelve different establishments. Simple and effect, in keeping with the narrative and premise style of 'Shaun Of The Dead' and 'Hot Fuzz'. The question is, does 'The World's End' close off the trilogy in an effective manner? In a short answer, yes it does, but having said this, it does not quite reach the same level of enjoyment as its two predecessors. While 'The World's End' is a decent enough film in many ways, it didn't quite live up to expectations.
To begin with, something that I really liked about the film, and a point that I believe was important if the film was to be considered a success, is the fact that it retains the same 'British' style themes and roots. Conventions firmly established by 'Shaun Of The Dead' and 'Hot Fuzz'. As with the previous two films, 'The World's End' is focused around British culture and dialect, one of the films main sources of comedy. By keeping these conventions, 'The World's End' joins the previous films as a quietly charming British comedy that people of other cultures and nationality's can still enjoy.
In addition to this, the film follows 'Shaun Of The Dead' and 'Hot Fuzz' in another manner; it portrays typical British lifestyle through an extreme event or chain of events. With 'Shaun Of The Dead' it was a zombie apocalypse, and with 'Hot Fuzz' it was cult style circle of murderers, leading to 'The World's End', which introduces a Sci-Fi element to the trilogy in the form of an alien race and conspiracy. This style of British humor portrayed in a serious or supernatural situation is what gives the trilogy it's unique edge, something that has proved very successful.
The issue with 'The World's End' doesn't come from the comedy itself, but from the changes in character and narrative structure. The film is more mature than 'Hot Fuzz' and 'Shaun Of The Dead', and for that very reason, it does not have as many laugh-out-loud moments. Instead, they have tried to introduce a darker undertone in the form of alcoholism, an aspect that I felt made the film different, but not necessarily in a good way. 'The World's End' has big shoes to fill, and you watch the film expecting frequent comic moments (which do of course occur), but instead you are presented with these more serious themes.
A second fundamental issue I noticed with 'The World's End' was the likeablity of the characters, something that is directly related to the aforementioned serious undertone they imposed on the film. When you consider the main characters from 'Shaun Of The Dead' and 'Hot Fuzz', they are all likeable, and relatable in their own ways. With Gary King, the main character in 'The World's End', the same relation does not occur. Due to his obvious demons with alcohol, the character is much more tragic, and you find yourself feeling sorry for his lifestyle, rather than relating to him. Another aspect that I felt let the film down slightly.
In addition, a third aspect that disappoints is the ending. I am not going to explain however as if you are planning to go to and see the film, this would be a drastic spoiler, but I will say, it left a lot to be desired.
'The World's End' - Not quite as good as its previous siblings, let down by slight changes in the basic structure that made 'Shaun Of The Dead' and 'Hot Fuzz' so likeable. Having said this, the film is still a relatively enjoyable watch.
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