The World’s End sees a group of former high school buddies reunite to tackle an alien threat, but with mixed results.
Camera IconThe World’s End sees a group of former high school buddies reunite to tackle an alien threat, but with mixed results. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Square pegg in round hole

Staff ReporterEastern Reporter

The science fiction comedy tries to combine the best elements of its successors ” the fast-paced dialogue and cinematography of Hot Fuzz and the dystopia parody narrative of Shaun of the Dead ” but fails.

The World’s End is about four middle-aged former high school friends reuniting to tackle the ‘golden mile’ of pubs in their hometown prompted by group leader Gary King, played by Simon Pegg, only to discover the town has been taken over by an alien race of robots.

With predictable twists and King as an unlikable anti-hero, The World’s End lacks the subtle brilliance of director and co-writer Edgar Wright’s previous creations.

While the script is still packed with hilarious one liners and outstanding performances from Hot Fuzz star Paddy Considine and Eddie Marsan, Wright should have relied more on his actors rather than CGI.

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The saviour is Nick Frost’s character Andy and the other friends’ back stories and reactions to coming home.

However, these stories are only touched on briefly and an unrealistic ending poorly attempting to come full circle is crammed in.

Wright’s effort to branch out from his successful film formula has ended in a movie that lacks the great narrative of his previous works but keeps their bells and whistles and while it entertains, it never excels.