The World’s End *** ½ (R) Everyone who loved the previous bizarre comedies starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz will be salivating over their latest madcap adventure. Newbies needn’t worry about not having seen the others, since the stories and characters are only related in style and tone, not by plots or characters. This time it’s a nostalgia trip for five school childhood chums, as the other four are cajoled by Pegg into returning to their home town to complete the Odyssey of downing pints at all 12 of its pubs in one night, with the last one providing the movie's title and one of its key locations. Their attempt upon graduation night 20 or so years earlier fell short.
The rest seem to have grown into responsible adults. Pegg is still the good-time slacker he was in their youth. For some reason, this latter-day Peter Pan desperately needs the rest of his Lost Boys to follow. Those who’ve seen their other films know not to expect a British version of films like the Hangover trio, or any other typical buddy-reunion comedies. After a bit of a slow setup, the wildest pub bathroom brawl in film history triggers the mayhem and frenetic pace for the rest of the way. Edgar Wright again co-wrote and directed with his partners in crime.
Frost is rewarded for his earlier turns as Pegg’s dimwitted foil by getting to play one of the smarter, more successful members of this group. Beyond that, the less you know of the premise and other details, the more you can savor the experience. Try not to see the trailers. This romp is not quite as funny overall as those previous cult favorites, but the lads come through with a product that’s still in the ballpark... or, perhaps I should say, on the pitch. (8/23/13)