Darkmatters Review: The World's End

The World’s End (15)

Dir. Edgar Wright

Reviewed by Matt Adcock

“We're going to see this through to the bitter end. Or... lager end“

It really is the end folks – the final part of the Three Flavours Cornetto Trilogy, three British comedy films that have redefined cinema.

The fun started back in 2004 with Shaun of the Dead - which featured a red strawberry Cornetto, representing the zombie infused blood and gore.

Then came 2007’s Hot Fuzz (Darkmatters Review) that had a blue original Cornetto - a nod to the police elements in the plot.

Now we come to The World’s End which has a green mint choc-chip flavour Cornetto wrapper prominent in one scene – acknowledging the alien / sci-fi elements.

But does this much-loved trilogy go out with a bang or a whimper?

"Like a British Reservoir Dogs?"

Meet Gary King (Simon Pegg) known as "The King" back in the day by the residents of sleepy Newton Haven, his hometown. Gary is a man haunted by his failure to complete ‘The Golden Mile’, an infamous pub-crawl involving 12 pubs – finishing at "The World's End".

So he cajoles his group of school pals back together who include wimpy Peter (Eddie Marsan), sensible Oliver / ‘O-Man’ due to the satanic birthmark on his forehead (Martin Freeman), his love rival Steven (Paddy Considine) and best mate Andrew (Nick Frost).

But when the gang reach Newton Haven things get a little freaky…

"Andrew 'Hulks out'"

You don’t need to know too much about the plot, just be assured that The World’s End is a rampantly funny, road trip blast that delivers all the buddy movie banter you could possibly wish for.

What makes this an extra bit special though is that there is a real beating heart beneath the action which sees the pals trying to make sense of their lives whilst fighting off alien robot clones who have come to change earth.

"Drink responsibly!"

Director Edgar ‘Scott Pilgrim’ Wright knows how to tap the nostalgia vein and packs in some great one liners about life, some truths about growing up, plus a killer soundtrack that includes The Sisters of Mercy, Blur, Primal Scream and The Stone Roses.

Love interest comes in the shapely form of Oliver's sexy sister, Sam (Rosamund Pike), who both Gary and Steven fancy. There is much to enjoy here including a wonderfully over the top school disco scene set in a nightclub pub called "The Mermaid" (which is actually Letchworth Garden City’s Broadway Cinema transformed).

"Call the Fuzz"

If you’ve ever been to Letchworth or Welwyn Garden City then you may well recognise many of the places of ‘Newton Haven’ – which adds to the fun for locals of these parts - it was great to see so many of the pubs I've visited and places I've been up on screen...

There are some fun cameos too, one the gangs old teachersGuy Shepherd is played with gusto by Pierce 'James Bond' Brosan and Nicholas 'Nathan Barley' Burns pops up with Reece 'League of Gentlemen' Shearsmith to added comic effect.

"This one speaks for itself"

The World’s End is a great ending to a classic trilogy, it might not be the very best of the three but it certainly doesn’t disappoint.


Out of a potential 5 you have to go with a Darkmatters:

öööö1/2

(4.5 - A welcome finish to a classic trilogy)...

Awesomeness öööö – an unmissable pub crawl

Laughs öööö –  lots of quality laughs

Horror öö – not too nasty - 15 is more due to swearing

Babes ööö – Rosamund Pike is still foxy pushing 40

Spiritual Enlightenment ööö – you don't have to be drunk to save the planet?

"cheers"

Here's the official website link

"Rosamund Pike - looks great"