THE WORLD'S END
One of the most original and hilarious movie trilogies of the last ten years has ended. The trio of Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost have completed the Cornetto Trilogy. Nearly ten years later, three films united by cast and one different flavoured ice cream has come full circle. But this won't be the end of the partnership that has created the ultimate zombie parody and an outrageous cop comedy. Is The World's End, the finale in this interconnected trilogy, as good as Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz? The answer, is yes.
The World's End is a different film to its counterparts. It would be easy for Wright and the two leads to take the same twists and turns as the previous two instalments, but they don't. The hallmarks are still here; the undeniably funny pairing of Pegg and Frost, the recurring fence jumping gag, and the stylish violence. Alongside Pegg and Frost, the film features a whos who of British cinema and TV; Bilbo Baggins himself Martin Freeman, Paddy Considine, Eddie Marsan, Rosamund Pike and another ex-Bond making a cameo. But spoiling that would ruin the fun. And fun is what this movie is about. There is a heart, as with all of Wright's movies. The film looks at growing up and clinging to the past, something Pegg's character Gary King is living in the past, while his friends have all grown up.
The World's End is a different film to its counterparts. It would be easy for Wright and the two leads to take the same twists and turns as the previous two instalments, but they don't. The hallmarks are still here; the undeniably funny pairing of Pegg and Frost, the recurring fence jumping gag, and the stylish violence. Alongside Pegg and Frost, the film features a whos who of British cinema and TV; Bilbo Baggins himself Martin Freeman, Paddy Considine, Eddie Marsan, Rosamund Pike and another ex-Bond making a cameo. But spoiling that would ruin the fun. And fun is what this movie is about. There is a heart, as with all of Wright's movies. The film looks at growing up and clinging to the past, something Pegg's character Gary King is living in the past, while his friends have all grown up.
Both Pegg and Frost play against type, particularly in contrast with their previous roles in the Trilogy. Pegg is a man child who still wears the same Sisters of Mercy shirt and has the Golden Mile map that is a symbol of the pub crawl failure. Frost has moved on, he's serious about his job and has never forgiven Gary for what he did that damaged their friendship. Martin Freeman is slick and proper, and as always steals the show. Paddy Considine is always vying with Gary for Martin Freeman's sister, played by Rosamund Pike; and Eddie Marsan is the quiet and submissive fifth member in the conflict team.
Wright directs with flare as usual. He has an eye for stylish action, the throwdowns are among the movie's best moments, and his choice of music always works. Perhaps one of The World's End's best surprises is the end, you don't expect the movie to end like it does. It's ending is more like Shaun than Fuzz, a grim but still optimistic ending, that sees Gary still clinging to his youth, but having come to terms with his problems in the new world.
Wright directs with flare as usual. He has an eye for stylish action, the throwdowns are among the movie's best moments, and his choice of music always works. Perhaps one of The World's End's best surprises is the end, you don't expect the movie to end like it does. It's ending is more like Shaun than Fuzz, a grim but still optimistic ending, that sees Gary still clinging to his youth, but having come to terms with his problems in the new world.
The World's End marks the end of a trilogy that was undoubtedly funny and with enough emotional resonance of a classic film. There's enough to distance this third part from the other two movies, but what made Shaun and Fuzz classics are here too. Pegg and Frost are on song as always, and the supporting cast all add to the hilarity and fun. It may be different, but its original enough and funny enough to cap of the Trilogy in fine style, and may yet become a classic like Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz.
The Verdict: The World's End is a funny and stylish finale to the Cornetto Trilogy, with enough difference and originality to separate from the two other instalments, but with the same great things that made Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz great.
The Verdict: The World's End is a funny and stylish finale to the Cornetto Trilogy, with enough difference and originality to separate from the two other instalments, but with the same great things that made Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz great.
★★★★★
5/5
5/5