Review of The World's End (2013) by Rudy H — 19 Feb 2014

It's not as referential as SHAUN or HOT FUZZ but it is definitely more spiritual and emotionally fulfilling. THE WORLD'S END is an outrageous mix of a coming-of-age tale/sci-fi philosophy/end of the world survival film that not only plays to the total shifts fans of the previous films expect but take them by surprise with its weighty emotional theme of growing up and embracing it. Pegg's portrayal of a character with extremely low likability and sympathy is made flawlessly endearing to watch and follow due to his spot on portrayal. Is this the best character he's played within the trilogy? No, but it is definitely the most complex/fully realized. The supporting players all are perfect ingredients that go into making one hell of a stew that while we somewhat expected to know what it would taste like, ends up tasting much better. Edgar Wright's trademark shifts in tone and style are on full throttle and never lend themselves to oversaturation and the film only benefits from everything he does to it. If there is a complaint, it's this: The relationship between Simon Pegg and Nick Frost's characters in the previous films have their problems but still came together and loved one another. (Nick ended up a dead zombie and they still played games together in SHAUN) but in this film the relationship never fully feels like it ever had the love and care as the pervious two. Part of the film's emotional weight comes form the tattered relationship so it essential that it play out this way but personally I love them being happy together. Nonetheless, it was a change that I did not see coming and one that made perfect sense on the whole. Also, those last 15-20 mins are some of the greatest material Wright, Pegg and Frost have ever brought to life.

I consider Pegg on only a funny comedian but a really great actor and his work with Wright always proves that going all the way back to their television show SPACED. Gary King is Pegg's most revolutionary acting job as it presents a character who at first seems like a simple jerk we don't wish to see redeemed but as the film progresses and his interactions with the film's supporting cast surface we are given a much more layered and complex look at broken man. Wright already has shown he can blend genres and WORLD'S END is another example of that with great comedy and wonderfully executed action set pieces.