The World’s End: A Charming Cap Off to the Summer 2013 Film Season

The World's End, 2013. dir. Edgar Wright

Unlike what might have been implied in my previous entry, not all sequels are necessarily bad. 

The World’s End is a spiritual sequel to the films Shaun of the Dead (2004) and Hot Fuzz (2007), which are all part of a series of films colloquially called “The Three Flavours Cornetto Trilogy”. This trilogy encompasses a nearly decade-long film collaboration (even longer if you include the British television show Spaced) between director Edgar Wright and actors Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. The two previous installments were met with nearly universal critical acclaim, and their final installment in the trilogy surely did not disappoint.

The film chronicles a group of childhood friends played by Pegg, Frost, Martin Freeman (previously in Shaun of the Dead), Paddy Constantine (previously in Hot Fuzz), and Eddie Marsan (one of the few newcomers to this film). Their goal throughout this film is attempting to journey through their hometown’s famous “Golden Mile”, a pub crawl encompassing one pint each at 12 different bars throughout until the reach the last bar, called The World’s End. Holding them back is the issue of their entire town having been invaded and taken over by robot clones. Minor setback.

Like the other two films before it, The World’s End possesses such a wonderful charm and chemistry from both the duo of Pegg and Frost as well as the rest of the cast. These are characters you feel for and root for, and most importantly, have heart. And also like the previous two, it delivers on wonderful action sequences (which I don’t think anybody doubted with Wright on board). For a film about the apocalypse, it holds a comforting and bright view throughout, which is refreshing in an age where many apocalyptic films are either bleak or overly satirical. It’s a great twist on the commentary that many films of today make about our addiction to telecommunications without feeling preachy.

In my previous experience this time of year is not really the best time for summer blockbusters. For many people, by the time I publish this article the summer will be over already. That being said, The World’s End is a great send off for the summer films of 2013 and I highly recommend it. End your August right, folks.

Bonus: have this wonderful on set photo of Edgar Wright and Martin Freeman in what seems to be Martin Freeman's default facial expression.