Meaning, I don’t see how much further it can go.
This is the End has some good laughs, but it isn’t entertaining enough to overcome the stunningly audacious middle finger it is giving to its audience.
For those of you who don’t know, the movie is set mostly in James Franco’s house during an impending apocalypse and features some well known actors playing themselves, and calling themselves by their real names at every possible opportunity, to the point where, if you were to zone out, you might think you were watching a commercial for a personal injury attorney.
An example of such dialogue is: “Hey, Seth Rogen, can you pass me that Milky Way?”
Although this film probably features the most egregious product integrations I have ever seen, including a five minute scene where the characters argue about who gets to eat a Milky Way, and an extremely unnecessary slide show which outlines the various products that the characters have available (hint: they’re not generic brands), the film’s advertising doesn’t stop there.
In fact, the entire film is a commercial for the actors involved. This is why they decided to write their own names into the film repeatedly.
So basically there is no film. Given that these actors are brands in and of themselves, the film is just one long commercial. A sizzle reel for future film opportunities.
I found it odd that the film’s premise involves the possible demise of all of the main characters in the film. I know you have to suspend reality when watching any film, but doesn’t it make it a lot harder to suspend such reality when I, as a moviegoer, know that all of these actors are in fact not dead?
Wouldn’t it have served the script better in that case if these guys were playing fictionalized characters? You know, like how you do in movies?
I’ve never understood the compulsive need for product placement in film. My advice would always be to cut the budget for the over the top CGI scene and skip the Milky Way scene.
As far as these actors go, I can’t help but say congratulations. The movie has made almost a hundred million dollars so far and has mostly positive reviews.
I never thought I’d see the day where an elaborate commercial would be critically acclaimed.
I’m assuming that Franco and crew were completely shocked when this product was approved. They probably thought they’d gotten away with murder.
But I wouldn’t go that far.
Enjoy your circle-jerk.