This
Is The End is definitely a unique movie. It’s also an interesting example
of postmodernism. The film is filled with references to other movies and the actors’
lives and requires previous knowledge of their personas. The film plays off the
personalities of the characters they usually play as well as their real-life
attitudes. One of most hilarious examples is Michael Cera’s character (he plays
himself as does everyone else). In the
film, he is brash and confident, smacking Rihanna’s ass and doing cocaine. The
joke is that this is the polar opposite of the characters he usually plays and
his temperament in real life.
If you hadn’t seen any of his previous roles,
you probably wouldn’t get the joke. This is what makes This Is The End
postmodern, it requires knowledge of other films and TV shows. Danny McBride
also plays off his onscreen persona. He’s obnoxious and constantly insults those
around him, similar to his character in Eastbound
and Down.
There are numerous references to
other films, making This Is the End an intertextual postmodern experience. Emma
Watson is in the movie and Danny McBride talks about how he’s a huge Harry
Potter fan. James Franco is referred to as the Green Goblin and he uses the
camera from 127 Hours. They talk
about making a sequel to Pineapple
Express and how they shouldn’t make a sequel to Your Highness. When Jonah Hill prays to god he refers to himself as
Jonah Hill from Moneyball. The film
also parodies The Exorcist when Jay
Baruchel tries to exorcise a demon from Jonah Hill. If you hadn’t seen or at
least heard of these movies, this film might not be quite as amusing.
The film is hilarious with barely
any dull moments. It’s quite possibly the best comedy of the summer.
RATING: 9/10
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