This British mix of comedy, nostalgia, science-fiction and action is exactly that: a mixed bag.  It concerns a reunion of sorts of five now middle-aged friends trying to re-enact a pub crawl, concluding at the title establishment.  Things go wrong early between the friends (Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Martin Freeman, Paddy Considine, Eddie Marsan) and they go wrong later as well, when the men learn that their hometown is now overrun with alien robots.  Like I said, it’s a mixed bag.

Edgar Wright’s movie plays the situation straight, to the point that the angst which surrounds Simon Pegg’s seemingly carefree character is needle sharp.  As a British character study, The World’s End is surprisingly thoughtful and even profound — yet as an action, sci-fi comedy it is one big mess.  The longer it continued the weirder and dopier it became, until a climax that seems right out of Monty Python.  That isn’t meant as a compliment, only because what occurs is so ridiculous.  At least the film has a proper conclusion, showing the consequences of their stand against the aliens.

I didn’t much care for this movie, despite its unexpected dramatic depth.  Pegg is one of those actors who irritate more than entertain, in my opinion; I tired quickly of having to listen to his bluster.  When the robots finally made their move, I laughed not because it was funny but it was so ludicrous.  It’s a mix that didn’t work at all for me, possibly because I am not British.  Oh, well.  ☆ ☆.  26 September 2013.