[Review: IN THEATRES] THE WORLD'S END (7/10)

The World’s End, the conclusion of the “Blood and Ice Cream Trilogy” (I didn’t see quite that connection between Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz - until news of the The World’s End surfaced - but okay) is a fitting end to a great run. Like the last slacker/stoner comedy This Is The End – what do you do next once the world ends? Like for another movie? Is this a preemptive strike against jumping the shark? (I wondered that after Love Actually as well – a movie that was pretty much everything you could ever want including Hugh Grant as the Prime Minister).

Edgar Wright is an excellent director in any genre – aggressive – he knows when and how to move his camera. While he’s primarily worked in genre filmmaking, I’m excited to see what he does as he constantly challenges himself. Back are Simon Pegg and Nick Frost from their last adventure (involving a loveable alien in highly enjoyable Paul – directed by Greg Mottola). Pegg plays Gary “the King” King – a troublemaker who doesn’t evolve like his pals do: fresh out of rehab he assembles the old gang (including Frost, Paddy Considine and Martin Freeman) and the return to their old stomping grounds Newton Haven (think Ithaca with less hippies).

They attempt to conquer “the golden mile” – a 12-pub crawl, although finding challenges along the way (the first two are terribly hegemonic corporate replicas). Proving you can’t go home – or go back to school – Newton Haven has become a very different place, even if Gary King is still Gary King. The first half of the film is a glorious dark comedy – wonderful without the sci-fi stuff. When the sci-fi elements and alien invasion kick in, I must say Edgar Wright keeps the action coherent: treating the film with a gravity a lesser director just wouldn’t care about.

As far as comedies go – Wright integrates his comedy into the film’s frenetic visual style – you won’t find him slacking off for one frame. The film keeps up with the comic genus on screen including the great Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. The film I’m happy to announce works – even if takes a turn I wish it hadn’t.

Like another excellent movie out this week – The Spectacular Now, the film is grapples with the effects of alcoholism: fitting as we move into the summer hang- over that is the fall. Strangely, this is even darker than that film, with an unexpected, original twist that I only hated because I loved the film’s first 25 minutes so much. Not as successful as Pixar (or the very best of Bollywood) at evoking a wide range of emotions, you must give Edgar Wright credit for trying: one he will make a film that’s mind-blowingly brilliant and it will be dangerous.

Screening: AMC Maple Ridge, Dipson Flix, Regal Transit Center, Regal Quaker Crossing, Regal Hollywood 12, Regal Elmwood Center