This Is the End Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		3.5

This Is the End Blu-ray Movie Review

The "Craziest Movie of 2013" award goes to...

Reviewed by Martin Liebman September 26, 2013

Prophesies of Mayan calendar date destruction. Fears of rogue comets and incoming planets lurking behind the sun. Terrors of nuclear holocausts and MAD. The dangers of economic collapse. The dread of societal breakdown. Distress over the coming superbug that will eliminate 90% of the world's population and leave behind only the elite who are right now building their secure underground bunkers. Pronouncements of doom and gloom and the coming apocalypse -- which can take many different forms -- are alive and thriving and have broken through the previously impenetrable barriers of lunatic fringe conspiracy websites and into the mainstream. Hollywood, literature, and video games have taken the paranoia to a new level and smartly capitalized on people's fears. Films range from tales of bleak, gloomy doom to the apocalypse as a joyride of special effects. Certainly, stories of the end times are nothing new in the entertainment business, but never has there been so much, audiences so inundated, such an unmissable influx of end-of-the-world nightmares available for immediate consumption. But through all the mayhem, very few have looked at the end times through a purely comedic lens, taking tales of survival and fears of the unknown and rebranding them as over-the-top roller coasters of the absurd. This is the End takes a look at what happens when a handful of celebrities are caught in the middle of the fire and brimstone of the end days. Do they have what it takes to figure out what's happening and survive it? Or will gross incompetence and a refusal to let go of their old mindsets be their undoing?

The World's End.

Seth Rogen (himself) greets his friend Jay Baruchel (himself) at LAX. They return to Rogen's recently remodeled home for an afternoon of Killzone and drugs before heading over to Actor James Franco's (himself) palatial home. The party is swinging and the place packed with A-list celebrities, including Jonah Hill (himself), Craig Robinson (himself), Danny McBride (himself), Michael Cera (himself), Emma Watson (herself), and Mindy Kaling (herself). When Seth and Jay head out to a convenience store to resupply a few goodies, they find themselves in the middle of disaster. Some people are zipped up into the heavens in a blue light, while others, including Seth and Jay, are left behind to deal with the fiery, bloody, terrifying aftermath. They return to James' place and the partygoers quickly experience the chaos firsthand. Eventually, their ranks are thinned and only Seth, Jay, James, Jonah, Craig, and Danny are left in the house. They secure it as well as they can, sort out their remaining food and water, and even find a gun amongst James' old movie props from Flyboys. Is that enough for these Hollywood celebs to ride out the apocalypse in style, or will they eventually be dragged into the hell that awaits them outside?

Wow. This one's really going to split audiences. On the one hand, This is the End is the unequivocal champion of end times as a raunchy, tasteless exercise in the lowest common denominator, and in that arena the film is a huge success. It's potty-mouthed and hugely absurd in nearly everything it does, says, shows, and implies, but viewers won't find a better experience of this sort anywhere else, and certainly not with the dark, foreboding end-of-days scenario framing it all. On the other hand, all of that is going to push a lot of people away rather than welcome all comers into its chaotic fold. The film takes its styles to places few others dare travel, but it goes there gleefully and unapologetically. It's as fearless as it as reckless, and it certainly won't appeal to those who hold more traditional tastes. To simply label the film as "weird," "vulgar," or "grotesque" would be to do a disservice to the weirdness, vulgarity, and grotesqueness that plays out within. There hasn't been a mainstream movie quite this envelope- pushing in a long time; some audiences will certainly have their limits tested by this one. In terms of taste, the film earns an "F." In terms of sheer adult-oriented end times chaos taken to the most extreme heights, the film earns an "A."

This is the End uses its apocalyptic backdrop as merely a frame for the actors to do their thing, to deliver their chaotically insane dialogue and work through various problems with themselves and one another as they cower together away from the outside unknown. The dialogue ranges from the deliberately, uncomfortably awkward to the excessively raunchy and everything in between. Each character brings his own unique attributes to the group and perspective on what's happening and why. The film also generates many of its laughs from the bumbling, incoherent, and half- baked "plans" they muster up in an effort to survive; obviously, none of them have perused survivalist literature or websites, which makes their hijinks all the more hilarious. Of course, it's all topped by making the characters real actors, played by themselves, or at least caricatures of themselves modified to fit the requirements of the film. It's yet another unique angle that helps the film build its portrait of the comically absurd and outrageous romp into the truly bizarre.

This Is the End Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

This is the End's high definition presentation offers a consistent, stable image. It's not one that reveals brilliant colors and complex details, however. The film is fairly dark and heavily stylized throughout, and with that darkness comes a slight flatness, a light dreariness, and frequent pastiness. Nevertheless, the image enjoys a fine general crispness and definition on clothes and faces. The brighter scenes, such as the early airport sequence before the chaos ensues, enjoys excellent textural accuracy. Colors, whether bright blue beams of light or fiery reds and oranges, appear as naturally as the film's intended visual appearance allows. Black levels can be a little bright and prone to noise. Light banding creeps in from time to time. Overall, this is a rather nondescript, naturally bland image. Sony's Blu-ray appears to replicate the intended look well enough; just don't expect a dazzling and bright eye-popping transfer.

This Is the End Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

This is the End arrives on Blu-ray with an energetic DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. The picture begins at the airport and the track transports listeners to the location with realistic ambience gently filling the stage. The track plays with a full, robust surround support and finely spaced front end elements. Clarity is always at the top, whether musical or heavy support. Bass kicks in frequently, first in a relentless dance music presentation at Franco's house early in the film -- before the hectic chaos to follow -- and then when the apocalypse strikes. Then, mayhem and sonic confusion reign. Explosions pack an incredible wallop and falling debris, screaming people, and the general din of instant madness gloriously fill the stage until Seth and Jay return to James' house. Such raucous elements pop in from time to time and help define the madness that follows. It's all gleefully over the top, in essence the perfect sonic compliment to the film. Rounded into form by precision dialogue reproduction, this is a track to be reckoned with from start to finish.

This Is the End Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This is the End contains a plethora of bonus features. Note that some specific titles contain spoilers for the film and potentially offensive language.

• Audio Commentary: Directors Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, speaking just before the film's release, offer an enlightening and affable commentary, covering the basics but with flair, humor, and insight often missing in drier tracks. With optional English subtitles.
• Directing Your Friends (HD, 6:30): As the title suggests, Directors Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogen speak on the process of working with their real-life friends.
• Meta-Apocalypse (HD, 7:43): The actors talk about playing glorified, exaggerated versions of themselves.
• Let's Get Technical (HD, 10:44): A fairly detailed examination of the the film's look and the making various scenes and elements.
• Party Time (HD, 12:54): A glimpse into making the James Franco house party sequence with heavy emphasis on the cast and special effects.
• The Cannibal King (HD, 4:25): Outtakes from one of the film's climactic scenes and candid on-set dialogue between Tatum and McBride.
• The Making of "The Making of Pineapple Express 2" (HD, 6:20): A look at making the short film as shown in This is the End.
• Jay & Seth vs. The Apocalypse -- The Original Short (HD, 9:58): The actors star in a short end of the world film.
• Line-O-Rama (HD): Various scenes with rapid-fire dialogue. Scenes include Sleepover (1:14), We Don't Know You Man! (3:27), and Cum Battle (8:06).
• This is the Gag Reel (HD, 6:16).
• Deleted Scenes (HD): Cocaine with Michael Cera (1:03), The Guys Talk About Kicking Danny Out (2:44), Being Green (1:18), Eulogies for the Dead: Live Together, Die Alone (3:41), Jay and Jonah Talk (3:07), Michael Likes to Go Dancing (1:53), Pre Jonah Exorcism (0:48), and The Guys Talk About F#(%ing Each Other (1:18).
• This is the Marketing (HD): A collection of seven humorous shorts promoting the film in various, sometimes very strange, ways. Segments include Marketing Outtakes (6:38), Aziz Haunts Craig (1:02), James and Danny Confessional (1:17), Jonah Confessional (1:16), Seth and Jay Confessional (0:56), The Cast (3:43), and Red Band Sizzle Trailer (1:52).
• Previews: Additional Sony titles.
• DVD Copy.
• UV Digital Copy.

This Is the End Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

This is the End won't appeal to every viewer. There's going to be a sharp divide between more progressive and more traditionally conservative audiences in how the film is viewed, not simply its end-times scenario of choice but in the raunchy dialogue and vulgar scenarios that play out through the film. It's very good at what it does; the cast is enthusiastic and every last ounce of the film helps create an orgy of excess, but to the alienation of a good portion of potential viewers. More traditionally valued potential audiences have been warned. Sony's Blu-ray release of This is the End features quality video and standout audio. A good assortment of extra are included. Highly recommended to the target audience, while others are encouraged to stay far, far away.