This is the End was better in the beginning

This is the End starts out with some sharp dialogue as Seth Rogen — who plays what he’s referred to in interviews as a fictional, douchey version of himself — picks up his buddy Jay Baruchel — also playing a fictional version of himself — at the airport. Long-time friends, the two immediately head over to Seth’s home where they proceed to smoke pot and play video games. Jay says he’s looking forward to a relaxing weekend of hanging out, but Seth has other plans. He drags Jay to a big housewarming party hosted by actor James Franco. Jay doesn’t enjoy hanging out with the Hollywood types (Jonah Hill, Craig Robinson, Emma Watson, Jason Segel, Mindy Kaling, Kevin Hart, Michael Cera) that Franco invites to his home. But when a massive earthquake of sorts opens up a giant crater that kills off many of the guests, Jay is forced to board up in Franco’s house along with the few remaining guests as they sit out what they eventually assume is the end of the world.

Based on a short film that Rogen and co-writer and –director Evan Goldberg were involved with a few years ago, the movie comes off like a good prank gone awry.  Much of the rapture buddy film is really funny in self-referential and -deprecating ways. The cast either plays into type or totally breaks type, with the coked up Cera taking the biggest risk the unwelcome Danny McBride creating some of the best awkward moments. (And the guys make a funny trailer for a sequel to their cult classic Pineapple Express.) But when things move from pettiness and panic to over-the-top special effects created to illustrate lewd jokes about dicks and sexual situations, it all falls apart. The premise is a comical one and the first two-thirds of the film is strong; it’s the execution toward the end that’s lacking here.