I’ve been a huge fan of Edgar Wright’s ever since I came across his brilliant zombie comedy, Shaun of the Dead, way back in 2004. Since then, I’ve enjoyed seeing what he’s come up with over the years, which has included the hilarious satire of buddy cop movies Hot Fuzz and the outstanding Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, an adaptation of Bryan Lee O’Malley’s graphic novel series.
His next film, The World’s End, is meant as a conclusion to what has been called The Cornetto Trilogy or The Blood and Ice Cream Trilogy, which also includes Shaun and Hot Fuzz. The film follows “five friends who reunite in an attempt to top their epic pub crawl from 20 years earlier and unwittingly become humankind’s only hope for survival.” Sounds just like the kind of situation that Simon Pegg and Nick Frost would find themselves in, doesn’t it?
While the film isn’t due out here until August, it’s set to open in the UK on the 19th. With its release so close, the first batch of reviews have popped up online, and if they’re to be believed, it looks like we’re in for another great film.
Just to give you a sample of them, here’s what’s being said thus far:
“[A] highly enjoyable exercise in jaunty pastiche.” – Variety
“By turns trashy, poignant and gut-bustingly funny, and often all three at once.” – Daily Telegraph
“…a fast and funny action comedy undercut by moments of midlife nostalgia — the whole shebang held together by terrifically wrought performances, especially from the punch-drunk Pegg.” – THR
“A smart, savvy, entertaining and genuinely funny film…and while the ending is familiar, it is also reassuringly correct and impressively staged.” – Total Film
“Bravely refusing to rigidly adhere to a formula that has been so successful, Wright, Pegg and Frost’s Cornetto Trilogy closer has tonal shifts you won’t expect, but the same beating heart you’ve been craving.” – Empire
Both trailers that dropped back in May only served to heighten my anticipation and now these reviews are doing the same, but luckily the wait is almost over. Hopefully the film will be just as good as these guys are saying it is, but from the fact that it’s once again written by Wright and his constant collaborator Simon Pegg, is there any doubt that it won’t be amazing?
The World’s End, which stars Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Eddie Marsan, Paddy Considine, Martin Freeman and Rosamund Pike, hits US theaters on August 23rd.
(Source: The Playlist)
