This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Hoping to dodge the speeding bullet that is "Man of Steel" on Friday, Universal is releasing "This Is The End" today. It's worth a look to see Hollywood stars laugh through the Apocalypse — and, even better, laugh at themselves.
Writers Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg ("Superbad") make their directing debut in this comedy, which stars Rogen as a variation of himself, welcoming his best friend Jay Baruchel (also playing himself) for a visit to L.A. Jay doesn't like L.A., or the Hollywood phonies Seth wants to hang out with — so he's not thrilled when Seth drags him to a party at James Franco's house.
He's even less thrilled when it appears the Rapture is happening around them, and six survivors — Jay, Seth, Rogen, Craig Robinson, Jonah Hill and Danny McBride — hole up in Franco's concrete fortress of a house.
It's funny, raunchy and has a surprisingly sweet center.