The World's End

It's that time of year again. The summer movie season is coming to an end, and this is when studios just basically dump certain releases. Often times, there are a few hidden gems amid the low-brow comedies and over-blown action movies.

What's one such movie from this year's roster? Edgar Wright's The World's End certainly qualifies. The third entry in his unofficial trilogy with Simon Pegg and Nick Frost (the other two movies, for those not in the know, are Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz), it's a fitting finale for a funny franchise. (Try saying that three times fast.)

I liked the small call backs to Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz throughout The World's End. (They're easy to catch if you've seen the other two.) In fact, the elements from Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz seem to have merged to make The World's End. (That's not a bad thing in the slightest.)

But there are a few distinct differences in The World's End that slightly separate it from Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. For starters, there are the roles Pegg and Frost are in. Usually it's Pegg as the straight man with Frost providing most of the movie's humor. Here, it's the four other leads (Frost, Paddy Considine, Martin Freeman, Eddie Marsan) as the straight men while Pegg is practically bouncing off the walls. I like it.

Anyway, I really enjoyed The World's End though Shaun of the Dead is my favorite of the three. The ending may not work for some people I liked it. If you want to be a real sport, go and see this. You'll have a lot of fun with this one.

My Rating: ****1/2