In previous films like Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz and the series Spaced, writer/actor Simon Pegg and director Edgar Wright integrated a variety of influences into strong, unique narratives. In fact, they were eager to wear their influences on their sleeves, and that made for some great viewing. The World's End, the last of the "Cornetto" trilogy, follows in that tradition....although it's much more subtle, the movie really falls into that fine tradition, and is worth seeing.
Let me put it this way: any movie that has Nick Frost playing the most down-to-earth character automatically gets placed in the "masterpiece" category.
A group of friends decides to relive their youth by going on one last pub crawl - in fact, they're going to complete a round of 12 bars, finishing up at a place called The World's End. However, as the evening progresses they find that a more malevolent, alien force is gradually taking over their village....
Like the previous Cornetto films, The World's End integrates a variety of influences - most notably, British science fiction. However, this is done in a much more subtle and varied way - everything from Doctor Who (most notably the work of Robert Holmes) to the cozy catastrophes of John Wyndham. But there's a much stronger emotional core - in fact, The World's End has a much stronger emotional core than either Hot Fuzz or Shaun of the Dead. Focusing on finding hope and purpose, there's a really strong philosophical thread throughout the movie.
I love Shaun of the Dead. I love Hot Fuzz even more. But I am thoroughly in love with The World's End - of all the films that will be featured this week, this is the one that I definitely insist you must see.
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