They say the apocalypse is a time where humanity will be forced to reflect on who they are and what they’ve done.  I suppose then it’s only appropriate that in the new comedy This Is The End, some of the leading actors in today’s comedy have taken the time to - over an apocalyptic backdrop - reflect on who they’ve become, at least in the public eye.

Starring the Apatowian crew of Seth Rogen (as Seth Rogen), Jonah Hill (as Jonah Hill), James Franco, Craig Robinson, Danny McBride and Jay Baruchel (guess who they’re playing), the setup is deceptively simple, but played very well.  Jay has flown into Los Angeles to spend a week with Seth - since Jay never really got into the Los Angeles scene, he remains in he and Seth’s native Canada.  This is a big deal, as Jay really dislikes Los Angeles, and Seth has been tethered to Los Angeles since making it big as an actor and writer.  Seth talks Jay into going to a party at James Franco’s house (a hard sell, as Jay really doesn’t like the rest of Seth’s acting buddies), and during the party, all hell breaks loose. Literally, as its the biblical apocalypse.

From there the movie pairs down to the combination of Rogen, Hill, Baruchel, Franco, McBride and Robinson as they try to survive not only the dangers which have destroyed Los Angeles, but also each other.  It sounds like a very non-comedic premise, but it is played out for 100% laughs, between the burns on each other’s public persona (I see that Seth really didn’t like his Green Hornet experience), actors ripping on their existing personas (“Party Time” Michael Cera is the creepiest and funniest thing) and actors doing unexpected things (Emma Watson might be a pure badass.)  Sure, the movie is lined with the standard cock and ball gags, expected as the film is written by Seth Rogen and his Superbad cohort Evan Goldberg, but there is an overlaying level of heart to the movie.  Despite the blood, guts, gore and naughty language, This Is The End is a film about friendship at its core, and the difficulties found when your friends brings new friends into their life who you may not like - and ultimately, how to grow from there.

At the end of the day, your enjoyment of This Is The End will depend on your love for Rogen and crew - if you find them hilarious, this movie will be an absolute blast.  If you’re sick of them, you may get some joy at the way their personas are torn asunder (sometimes literally), but you may not be able to completely dig in, especially given the number of references to their prior work, including a wonderfully sweded trailer for Pineapple Express 2.  Personally, I had a total ball with this movie, laughing back to front, and being amazed not only by a very well kept cameo appearance, but a surreal and hilarious ending.

Sure, Man of Steel will most likely rule the box office this weekend, but you should still make time for This Is The End, if only for a pre-Superman matinee. Where else are you going to get an indepth discussion of DMX?

Oh, and an aside real quick - who the hell gets excited to go to Carls Jr. once you’re in Los Angeles? The only answer is In ‘N Out. Only.

This is the End hits theaters tomorrow, June 12th.