The Worlds End

Nine years ago, the now acclaimed director Edgar Wright began his comedy renaissance bursting onto the scene with the first in the now completed ‘Cornetto trilogy’. Setting a benchmark for both British and general cinematic comedies, his newest release, ‘the worlds end’ hopes to finish his acclaimed trilogy with style and grant the director inevitable prestige. Whilst it may have been six years since ‘the worlds end’ predecessor ‘Hot Fuzz’ hit cinemas, little has been altered considering the style and comedy prowess of Edgar Wright, putting his right hand men and comedy duo, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost to great use in a film which concludes the trilogy with heart.

 Using intelligent humour and broadcasting a believable yet simultaneously entertaining backstory, the later storyline of otherwise ridiculous occurrences slots neatly in place with the films nutty persona, rarely seeming out of place. Protagonist Gary King (Simon Pegg) is living in the past, with memories of a failed pub crawl with his past friends especially lingering on his mind he decides to ‘get the old team back together’ and finish what they started, only to find themselves fighting for their lives within a town in which they don’t quite recall.

 With much to live up to with two previous films of fantastic quality, it’s no big surprise to say that the worlds end perhaps doesn’t reach the intelligent grounds of ‘Shaun of the dead’ neither does it reach the comedy genius of ‘Hot Fuzz’. Instead ‘the worlds end’ chooses to take the sentimental route following the story of a young group of friends who’ve grown older and changed their ways, being all too apt within the final instalment of the trilogy this also speaks praises for the trilogy on the whole, each displaying a unique and excellently displayed trait. With this however it also manages to simultaneously and effortlessly hold the traits of its predecessors being hugely and most importantly intelligently funny all within a narrative which for the most part retains its ingenious brilliance.

 Taking a while to find its feet and choosing a wild route in the closing minutes the narrative is slightly inconsistent being sturdy and hugely impressive in the middle but weathered at the ends. While we wait at the beginning for characters to be developed upon and plot strands to be thickened the comedy remains light resulting in short chortles from the audience with some jokes inevitably falling flat, proving to be the calm before the comedic storm. With aid from an excellent supporting cast, the band of five friends on show showcase the very best of British comedy and acting with ‘Martin Freeman, Paddy Considine and Eddie Marsan’ all giving terrific performances to give the narrative long distance legs and a renewable source of comedy as the actors form effortlessly as a band of regular friends as their off screen chemistry becomes transparent.

 In amongst an industry of constant profit driven franchise releases it’s extremely refreshing to witness a trilogy linked only by their uses of ‘cornettos’  achieve so much whilst boasting so much originality. Proving to be one of the best directors currently in the industry, Edgar Wright has once again provided a film with heart, laughs and bags of originality.

8/10- Something for everyone, intelligent jokes, a heart-warming story, and gratuitous comic violence.

Calum Russell