Seth Rogen always plays the same character in movies, a laid-back, spliff-toking, always-laughing version of himself. Here, though, he goes one further and actually plays himself – as does the rest of the Judd Apatow-Freaks And Geeks crew.
When Canadian best bud Jay Baruchel (She’s Out Of Your League) comes to LA to hang out with his mate, the two wind up bickering about their frayed friendship at a star-studded party at James Franco’s house – just as the apocalypse hits LA and brings about the end of days. Rogen also co-wrote with Evan Goldberg (Superbad).
It’s a talent-spotting ensemble in which Hollywood’s comedy class play distorted versions of themselves: perceived nice guy Michael Cera is a coke-snorting sex-hound; James Franco is a self-celebrating and pretentious dick; Jonah Hill is a platitude-spouting but secretly vindictive bitch; Craig Robinson’s a chicken-shit screamer; and Danny McBride is one-louder than every other McBride role.
It’s a mass movie love-in as the crew barricade themselves in Franco’s self-designed pad to protect themselves from the demonic carnage outside and skewer their own movies and Hollywood in general, careering past The Exorcist (“the power of Christ compels you!”), Pineapple Express (a ramshackle sequel is shot here) and the Jay And Seth Versus The Apocalypse short that sparked this anarchic tale. A relentless, hilarious, unpredictable, occasionally misfiring, joyride.
Starring: Jay Baruchel, Seth Rogen, James Franco | 15 | 119mins
Good for: A stoner satire that will delight Knocked Up and Pineapple Express fans.
