This is the End (2013), R, 3.5 stars

The gang trying to survive.

There has been a ton of post-apocalyptic or end-of-the-world movies in the past few years. I mean there were good ones and there were awful ones. But, clearly, the definition of this genre is pure and simple: Entertainment. The audience needs to be entertained emotionally or comically. Plus, an apocalyptic movie just lingers for a good amount of time for the group of survives determining how to survive. But, this movie just puts the situation and the comedy blending together into one funny damn movie. It's hilarious.

They all play themselves, so Seth Rogen meets Jay Baruchel in an airport, inviting the guy to James Franco's party at his house. Once they get there, many people mostly drink and do drugs and other sinful acts. They all see everyone doing them including Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, Craig Robinson, Christopher Mintz-Plasse (McLovin), Rihanna, Mindy Kaling, Jason Segel, Paul Rudd, Aziz Ansari, Kevin Hart and Emma Watson. (Weird that Watson is in this, right?) She's really credible in this movie. In the mean time, Rogen and Baruchel go to a convenience store and witnesses some customers taken away. Also, there's a big huge earthquake striking Los Angeles killing many famous people which I will not reveal.

After the earthquake, the five people pictured in the photo above survive and find Danny McBride waking up and said that he crashed the party. So, they all pair up and have rations and all of a sudden, Emma Watson comes back with an axe and reports some noises stealing the drinks where McBride says probably the funniest line in the movie, "Hermione just stole all of our s**t." But, they all witness something outside as they find some anonymous creatures I will not reveal.

Watson threatening the gang with an axe.

This movie is just a laugh-out-loud riot. Granted, there is some raunchy dialogue and situations and even a scene where one of the actors gets raped by a demonic sort of creature and they try to perform an exorcism on him. But, in the end, they all try to have fun with their comedic talents in the post-apocalyptic world and discussing what they can do to survive. Even, they try to film a homemade sequel to Pineapple Express (I liked that movie very much.)

Some filmmakers try too hard to force laughter out of an audience with jokes and no punchline or if the punchline is just ludicrous and predictable. I was jubilated that they just said, "Ah, forget it. Let's just throw in everything on the screen." It's all about precise timing with the jokes and mostly everything worked.

All of the cast is likable and funny. Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, writers and directors of the films, should be congratulated for their effort. I mean I thought they took a risky project and not screw it up. I did have some quibbles with the movie with a few rape jokes I did not find particularly funny and the ending, well...it took me a while to accept it. But, this is a fun movie that is just about good for a night to watch with some pals.

There is a re-release on September 6th since the directors think that it was really successful for it to reach $100 million. So, make sure to have the opportunity to see it.

***1/2