The World's End

2013. Rated R. 109 minutes. Starring Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Martin Freeman. Directed by Edgar Wright. 

Five friends who reunite in an attempt to top their epic pub crawl from 20 years earlier unwittingly become humankind's only hope for survival. [imdb]

Nicole: What a ridiculous movie--and I mean that in the best way possible. While this final (or is it?) installment of the "Cornetto" series (named as such for its loosely connected visual imagery of the popular European ice cream treat) didn't tickle me as much as its predecessors (Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz) it was still a silly, fun romp.

elizabeth: I remember hearing about Shaun of the Dead and did the intelligent thing – I forgot all about it till you mentioned it. Whatever happened to Mr. Darby? Too alive for you?

Nicole: Oh, no. I am an equal opportunity employer when it comes to period British men. Make no mistake: There's enough of me to go around. Back to the plot, which revolves around five school chums, trying to recapture their youth though conquering the Golden Mile (which consists of having a pint of beer at each of their town's 12 pubs). But, since they've left their hometown -- everything's changed, except Gary King (Simon Pegg) -- who remains as immature as ever. Naturally, his chums have grown up and moved on, but Gary can't get beyond the fact that they never completed the Golden Mile all those years ago and is determined -- no matter what the obstacle -- to complete the quest. And, by the way, those obstacles include almost every resident of his hometown having been turned into an alien race of blue-liquid oozing robots.

elizabeth: Good grief! I wonder how Hemingway would have handled this storyline. Are the blue-liquid oozing robots part of the royal family? Get it: blue ooze. I crack myself up. You are making this up, right? Please tell me you are. Colin Firth is on the phone and he is getting a restraining order. Plus, he says that Mr. Darcy is not alive either. Maybe he can hang with Shaun and Gary and have a few pints?

Nicole: Your obsession with Colin Firth knows no bounds. OK, so I won't say too much more lest I spoil the plot. But if you're a fan of these movie-making buddies, you're going to want to round out your collection with The World's End. It's not as satisfying on many levels as Shaun of the Dead or Hot Fuzz (or the TV series Spaced, for that matter), but it's good for a chuckle and clever banter. 

elizabeth: Don’t you remember what I say to you when you go on and on: Get out and let the sun bake your skin. At least you won’t run into any oozing robots. I am so glad I missed this classic.

The Film Fatales give THE WORLD'S END