When your previous films are touted as one of the greatest zombie and buddy cop movies of all-time, it is needless to say you have pretty big expectations for your third go around. But those are the shoes Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and Edgar Wright try and fill with “The World’s End”, the third and final film in their self-titled “Blood and Ice Cream Trilogy”. Also starring Martin Freeman, Paddy Considine and Eddie Marsan, “World’s End” is about 5 friends who try and recreate a pub crawl they attempted 20 years earlier in their hometown. However while on their quest, they discover the town has been taken over by robots and the group becomes humanity’s last hope. Wright directs and co-wrote the script with Pegg.
British humor is really hit or miss with me. I loved “Hot Fuzz” but found “Shaun of the Dead” just alright. I really enjoy “The Office”, but dislike most all other British television comedies. So I walked into “World’s End” without any real expectations and maybe that is the reason I loved the film as much as I did.
The film just has a great rhythm and pacing, due largely in part to Wright’s signature quick shot style, which adds comedic effect (if you’ve seen his other works you know what I’m talking about). Pegg and Frost are in top form as always, having their speedy banter mixed in with heartwarming lessons about friendship. The supporting cast is a welcome change of pace from the previous two films, as we really have five main characters instead of the normal two.
The action in the film is just bloody good fun (I used that correctly, didn’t I?). It is completely over-the-top but seeing robots filled with blue stuff get their heads ripped off and arms thrown around was just great amusement. Wright really does have an eye for how to shoot action scenes with a humorous undertone, so it is no wonder he is in charge of 2015’s superhero film, “Ant-Man”.
Now some of the humor may come off as self-indulgent, and the movie wants you to be laughing simply because it is Pegg and Frost on screen again, but it never enters Adam Sandler territory. And they give some rules and reasons behind the robot’s purpose that are kind of just dropped but it’s whatever. I never claimed the film was perfect.
In the end, “The World’s End” is a very funny movie with very entertaining sci-fi action scenes. It is safe to say the trio was able to end their trilogy on the highest of notes, and maybe create an original sci-fi adventure in the process. In a year filled with movies depicting the end of the world, this one stands out above all others. You would have to be robot not have a good time. I’ll pause for your appreciation of that joke.
Critics Rating: 8/10