This is not bad for a SyFy movie showing. It is very tongue in cheek as far as I am concerned. Video store guys that save the world with the obligatory bad guy/girlfriend stealer type who gets what he has coming towards the end. The girlfriend just happens to be an electronics technician who puts together the stuff they need when they need it until time to launch the nuke. How two video junkies get a nuke to launch is beyond anything except fiction. Of course they save the world and those that are left live happily ever after, I assume (I know). The van they use is hard to start at all the right times but starts fine when nothing is on the line, funny huh?
29 Reviews
a functional idea
SnoopyStyle20 February 2016
Owen Stokes (Greg Grunberg) owns a video store. Suddenly, the world is bombarded by balls of electromagnetic energy. The boys are prepared for every movie apocalypse contingent. Owen's girlfriend Selena arrives with douche Max. Owen and his employee Steve Palmer go to get Steve's mother. The group tries to find Dr. Walter Brown (Brad Dourif) who is locked up in a mental institution. He just might be the only one who can save the world.
It starts with a functional idea. The special effects are mostly low budget sci-fi TV level. Most of the humor don't work. The jokes are mostly half-hearted movie references. It's Armageddon with no budget and not as funny. It's functional for the first half but it wears out its welcome. It would work better if the movie kept it small but it insists on going full Armageddon.
It starts with a functional idea. The special effects are mostly low budget sci-fi TV level. Most of the humor don't work. The jokes are mostly half-hearted movie references. It's Armageddon with no budget and not as funny. It's functional for the first half but it wears out its welcome. It would work better if the movie kept it small but it insists on going full Armageddon.
Bait and Switch Trailer
smbloome2 August 2014
Checked YouTube for the "official trailer" - It shows true apocalyptic mayhem, such as giant meteorites and tsunamis the height of the World Trade Towers. We rented this movie "based on their official trailer".
The "trailer" has absolutely NOTHING to do with this movie. NOTHING! In fact, the "official Trailer" that is found on YouTube is for a 1986 movie, Deep Impact. (Side note: Deep Impact has great FX of the end of the world...)
Having said that, who doesn't like Greg Grunberg (also in Big Ass Spiders). Even expecting a true disaster movie, this movie is a fun one to watch - more tongue in cheek goof ball disaster comedy than what's shown in the trailer (of a different movie!)
I'd normally give this movie a 7, but because of their deceptive tactics, I've only given it a 4.
Drag.
The "trailer" has absolutely NOTHING to do with this movie. NOTHING! In fact, the "official Trailer" that is found on YouTube is for a 1986 movie, Deep Impact. (Side note: Deep Impact has great FX of the end of the world...)
Having said that, who doesn't like Greg Grunberg (also in Big Ass Spiders). Even expecting a true disaster movie, this movie is a fun one to watch - more tongue in cheek goof ball disaster comedy than what's shown in the trailer (of a different movie!)
I'd normally give this movie a 7, but because of their deceptive tactics, I've only given it a 4.
Drag.
A Few Interesting Moments
Michael_Elliott6 March 2013
End of the World (2013)
* 1/2 (out of 4)
SyFy film has a couple video store clerks (and one of their wives) having to put their knowledge of disaster movies to the ultimate test when the end of the world approaches. When some sort of mysterious explosions start dropping from the skies, the three head off to find an expert (Brad Dourif) who is locked up in a mental hospital. I'll give END OF THE WORLD credit for at least trying to do something different but unfortunately it really doesn't add up to much. The biggest problem with this movie is the low-budget, which just doesn't really allow it to be taken that serious. I think with a higher budget and a re-write of the screenplay then we might have had something much better. As is, the film has some interesting moments and a couple good performances but that's it. One good thing is the constant references to other science fiction movies, which was somewhat fun for film buffs. I also enjoyed the performances for the most part. Caroline Cave is good in the role of the wife and we also get nice work from Greg Grunberg and Neil Grayston. I also enjoyed seeing Dourif who goes wildly over-the-top but in a fun way. The special effects are pretty much what you'd expect from a low-budget film like this but they were still much better than what you typical see on SyFy. Back to the problems, the screenplay just isn't strong enough to make us believe the situation these characters are in. Not once did I buy into the "end of the world" and there's really not any drama or suspense anywhere. I know this is mostly a comedy about these two video store clerks but we needed something else.
* 1/2 (out of 4)
SyFy film has a couple video store clerks (and one of their wives) having to put their knowledge of disaster movies to the ultimate test when the end of the world approaches. When some sort of mysterious explosions start dropping from the skies, the three head off to find an expert (Brad Dourif) who is locked up in a mental hospital. I'll give END OF THE WORLD credit for at least trying to do something different but unfortunately it really doesn't add up to much. The biggest problem with this movie is the low-budget, which just doesn't really allow it to be taken that serious. I think with a higher budget and a re-write of the screenplay then we might have had something much better. As is, the film has some interesting moments and a couple good performances but that's it. One good thing is the constant references to other science fiction movies, which was somewhat fun for film buffs. I also enjoyed the performances for the most part. Caroline Cave is good in the role of the wife and we also get nice work from Greg Grunberg and Neil Grayston. I also enjoyed seeing Dourif who goes wildly over-the-top but in a fun way. The special effects are pretty much what you'd expect from a low-budget film like this but they were still much better than what you typical see on SyFy. Back to the problems, the screenplay just isn't strong enough to make us believe the situation these characters are in. Not once did I buy into the "end of the world" and there's really not any drama or suspense anywhere. I know this is mostly a comedy about these two video store clerks but we needed something else.
Self-referencing ahoy in a generic SyFy disaster film
Leofwine_draca1 July 2016
END OF THE WORLD is your usual bog-standard SyFy Channel disaster movie that perhaps feels even more generic than all the others put together. It's directed by the prolific Steven R. Monroe and written by Jason Bourque, who also directed his fair share of other numerous similar low-budget disaster movies.
The one thing END OF THE WORLD does differently is to self-reference other movies in the genre, sometimes from the same studio and sometimes better-known efforts. Brad Dourif plays the crazy old-timer who might just have the knowledge to tackle what's going on, and there's a rather ingenious clip from ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST utilised at one point, which was rather neatly done.
Otherwise it's business as usual, with a bunch of stock characters, failing actors, and unfunny humour. The CGI effects of the solar flare attacks are as non-impressive as ever, and the various disaster scenes lack the kind of oomph you'd expect. It turns out that the END OF THE WORLD finishes with a fizzle rather than a bang.
The one thing END OF THE WORLD does differently is to self-reference other movies in the genre, sometimes from the same studio and sometimes better-known efforts. Brad Dourif plays the crazy old-timer who might just have the knowledge to tackle what's going on, and there's a rather ingenious clip from ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST utilised at one point, which was rather neatly done.
Otherwise it's business as usual, with a bunch of stock characters, failing actors, and unfunny humour. The CGI effects of the solar flare attacks are as non-impressive as ever, and the various disaster scenes lack the kind of oomph you'd expect. It turns out that the END OF THE WORLD finishes with a fizzle rather than a bang.
The Earth is about to come to an end... once again...
paul_haakonsen20 August 2013
Another 'end of the world as we know it' movie with a very predictable outcome. Sure enough, but still these movies are so campy and cheesy that they are actually fun to watch, and thumbs up to SyFy Channel for keep spewing them out.
The story in "End of the World" is about, well, the end of the world. A strange outer space phenomena takes place and showers the Earth with blasts of forces of energy that are lethal to both electrical devices and living beings alike. A group of young people who have devoted their lives to the disaster movie genre, who works, owns and hangs around a local video store devoted to these types of movies, figure out a solution to save the Earth and race against time to save our beloved planet.
And that is the storyline for you right there. Doesn't get more simple than that. In fact, it doesn't get any more generic and stereotypical for these SyFy Channel disaster movies either. Have you seen one of their movies, then you have essentially seen all. But still, we come back for more because they are so campy and cheesy.
"End of the World" wasn't particularly enjoyable or extraordinary in any way, because there was nothing new to the genre at all here. This was essentially just a re-molding of previously made movies about the very same topic. The only worth mentionable thing was the references to other SyFy movies, Sci-Fi movies and disaster movies in general that was thrown carelessly about all throughout the movie.
Were there plot holes? Indeed there were. And they are so obvious and painstakingly just grabbing the movie by the ankles and weighing it down. But hey, aren't these plot holes an expected thing from this particular type of movies from SyFy Channel?
As for the acting in the movie. Well, people were doing fair enough jobs, but truth be told, then they hadn't much of a script to work with, so it wasn't particularly impressive. Nor was it overly convincing, as you never for one second bought into that the entire world was in any overwhelming danger from outer space.
So, is "End of the World" worth watching? Well, if you are a hardcore fan of SyFy Channel productions and the disaster movie genre in general, then yes. Otherwise, no, hardly so.
The story in "End of the World" is about, well, the end of the world. A strange outer space phenomena takes place and showers the Earth with blasts of forces of energy that are lethal to both electrical devices and living beings alike. A group of young people who have devoted their lives to the disaster movie genre, who works, owns and hangs around a local video store devoted to these types of movies, figure out a solution to save the Earth and race against time to save our beloved planet.
And that is the storyline for you right there. Doesn't get more simple than that. In fact, it doesn't get any more generic and stereotypical for these SyFy Channel disaster movies either. Have you seen one of their movies, then you have essentially seen all. But still, we come back for more because they are so campy and cheesy.
"End of the World" wasn't particularly enjoyable or extraordinary in any way, because there was nothing new to the genre at all here. This was essentially just a re-molding of previously made movies about the very same topic. The only worth mentionable thing was the references to other SyFy movies, Sci-Fi movies and disaster movies in general that was thrown carelessly about all throughout the movie.
Were there plot holes? Indeed there were. And they are so obvious and painstakingly just grabbing the movie by the ankles and weighing it down. But hey, aren't these plot holes an expected thing from this particular type of movies from SyFy Channel?
As for the acting in the movie. Well, people were doing fair enough jobs, but truth be told, then they hadn't much of a script to work with, so it wasn't particularly impressive. Nor was it overly convincing, as you never for one second bought into that the entire world was in any overwhelming danger from outer space.
So, is "End of the World" worth watching? Well, if you are a hardcore fan of SyFy Channel productions and the disaster movie genre in general, then yes. Otherwise, no, hardly so.
More Syfy Moronicness
Zoooma18 September 2014
A Syfy Channel original TV movie starring Greg Grunberg who apparently was in the once-popular TV series Heroes. He's kinda funny, trying to make a joke for everything in this disaster of a disaster movie. He and his buddy reference tons of real movies, particularly disaster flicks which they know backwards and forwards. Everything they know about surviving disasters they've gotten from those movies which has even turned them into end of the world preppers ready for any end of the world scenario. And of course that saves the world here. Oh no, is that a spoiler? Who cares, it's a crap movie that really does nothing but suck.
3.6 / 10 stars
--Zoooma, a Kat Pirate Screener
3.6 / 10 stars
--Zoooma, a Kat Pirate Screener
Surprisingly good for a SyFy movie
Seth_Rogue_One12 October 2014
Pretty darn entertaining disaster-flick which jokes around a lot with the genre and never really takes itself too seriously, which in this case is a good thing
Most SyFy-movies have that problem that even tho the plot is ludicrous they take themselves seriously a lot of times, occasionally that makes the movies 'so bad they're good' but more than often they end up being just plain bad
So this one was a delight too watch, cause it gets everything right, Greg Grundberg is great in the lead and sets the tone and carries this movie on his shoulders
Not so good effects as expected but it doesn't take away from the enjoyment of the film
Actually the script although predictable isn't all that bad, not any worse than Armageddon or whatever...
Yeah a nice surprise
Most SyFy-movies have that problem that even tho the plot is ludicrous they take themselves seriously a lot of times, occasionally that makes the movies 'so bad they're good' but more than often they end up being just plain bad
So this one was a delight too watch, cause it gets everything right, Greg Grundberg is great in the lead and sets the tone and carries this movie on his shoulders
Not so good effects as expected but it doesn't take away from the enjoyment of the film
Actually the script although predictable isn't all that bad, not any worse than Armageddon or whatever...
Yeah a nice surprise
Possibly the worst film ever made
steveruby3 December 2022
The acting was rubbish, the storyline was terrible, the special effects were appalling. Everything about this was awful, I have no idea what the budget was but it couldn't be more than a $100 and that's including the actors salaries. I know you're supposed to take these movies with a pinch of salt but my God it's hard with this one. Out of curiosity I watched the end credits to see how many people were involved in making this film, it was approaching 200 and not one of them had the decency to tell whoever was financing it to bury it.
I can recommend it to those that enjoy self harming but best to avoid.
I have to admit though it was the first film I've seen that slow moving lava was able to climb 12 fights of stairs in 30 seconds. Avoid.
I can recommend it to those that enjoy self harming but best to avoid.
I have to admit though it was the first film I've seen that slow moving lava was able to climb 12 fights of stairs in 30 seconds. Avoid.
Fun
dominicnewman0229 February 2022
Rubbish rubbish rubbish
wnourallah4 February 2019
It has got to be one of the worst films I ever had the displeasure to see.
If I could I would sue the producer and actors alike for wasting my time. I switched it off after half way through. The story was ok but the wooden acting, the dialogue and especially the special effects were utter rubbish. Please avoid like the plague.
Great!
zach_elmquist23 February 2013
I just got done spending a weekend away from going to the bar and caught this gem on the syfy channel.I have to say it flows great from scene to scene and the casts acting was top notch.The movie delicately balances suspense, action ,and comedy to create the right amount of formula to make it shine.It easily knocks out big budget theatrical release films which came as a real surprise and it did so by staying fresh.The cgi used in this film was great and was present when needed and not over done.A fairly reasonably educated person will like the story and be able to find throw backs with it without the film actually stealing any ideas but refreshing old ones yet still remaining witty and fun.Not to often can I say that a TV movie was worthy of a second watch but this one easily takes the cake.Now if only all syfy movies could manage to end up as End of the world has fun, intelligent, and a joy to watch.
Surprisingly good apocalypse comedy
todesnudel7 August 2016
Warning: Spoilers
I got this movie in a "Action Box" complete with two other "Action" movies. I didn't expect much as the box was pretty cheap and the description is so cheesy (they name some of the greatest action movies on the box. I almost expected them to write "but those movies have nothing to do with THIS movie box" afterwards...), I just expected some "so bad, it's good" movies.
But actually, "End of the World" does have it's moments and it is a very enjoyable movie.
A few apocalypse movie freaks are there when "it" happens: The world is about to end. This time, it's because the heliosphere is somehow colliding inwards and "bubbles" of electrostatic fields (or something like that) are raining down on earth, causing confusion and chaos. So what can they do? Use their knowledge of all those movies and save the earth. They even have a storage room full of prepacked survival kits for about every occasion (conviniently labeled) and a shelf full of SPAM.
They set off to find a Doctor Walter Brown (his friends call him "Doc"), an expert on the field of apocalyptic catastrophes. Only problem is, he's been held in a mental asylum, so they have to get him out of there.
Doc Brown (yes, the movie nerds find this name amazing, too) directs them to his bunker, where he can do something about the catastrophe, but sadly he's killed before he can tell them what they have to do.
But the nerds decide to fight on, motivating themselves with various movie quotes. The solution they come up with is simple: Nuking a remote (VERY remote) mining shaft, so the debris will fly high up into the air, creating some kind of shield to fend off the heliospheric disaster.
The actors do a good job of making their characters believable and likable. The special effects could have been better, though. We see the heliosphere-thingies raining down on the earth and they explode on contact, but they don't do any damage at all? Surely the explosion must have some kind of impact?
But overall, this is a very enjoyable movie. If you see it cheap anywhere, give it a shot.
Btw: The German title "The new prophecy of the Maya" doesn't have ANYTHING to do with the movie at all. The word "Maya" isn't even mentioned once in the entire film, so don't let yourself get put off by that stupid title. Oh, and the statue of liberty on the cover? Yeah, isn't in the movie as well.
But actually, "End of the World" does have it's moments and it is a very enjoyable movie.
A few apocalypse movie freaks are there when "it" happens: The world is about to end. This time, it's because the heliosphere is somehow colliding inwards and "bubbles" of electrostatic fields (or something like that) are raining down on earth, causing confusion and chaos. So what can they do? Use their knowledge of all those movies and save the earth. They even have a storage room full of prepacked survival kits for about every occasion (conviniently labeled) and a shelf full of SPAM.
They set off to find a Doctor Walter Brown (his friends call him "Doc"), an expert on the field of apocalyptic catastrophes. Only problem is, he's been held in a mental asylum, so they have to get him out of there.
Doc Brown (yes, the movie nerds find this name amazing, too) directs them to his bunker, where he can do something about the catastrophe, but sadly he's killed before he can tell them what they have to do.
But the nerds decide to fight on, motivating themselves with various movie quotes. The solution they come up with is simple: Nuking a remote (VERY remote) mining shaft, so the debris will fly high up into the air, creating some kind of shield to fend off the heliospheric disaster.
The actors do a good job of making their characters believable and likable. The special effects could have been better, though. We see the heliosphere-thingies raining down on the earth and they explode on contact, but they don't do any damage at all? Surely the explosion must have some kind of impact?
But overall, this is a very enjoyable movie. If you see it cheap anywhere, give it a shot.
Btw: The German title "The new prophecy of the Maya" doesn't have ANYTHING to do with the movie at all. The word "Maya" isn't even mentioned once in the entire film, so don't let yourself get put off by that stupid title. Oh, and the statue of liberty on the cover? Yeah, isn't in the movie as well.
Two Ideas Thrown Together In A Film That Doesn't Gel
Theo Robertson30 June 2013
Warning: Spoilers
One can understand the thinking behind SyFy producing this film . The meta-fictional black comedy THIS IS THE END and the action blockbuster WORLD WAR Z would be in the cinemas during the Summer and no doubt the company wanted to broadcast a comical end of the world sci-fi thriller featuring a couple of geeky DVD store workers battling an alien invasion , a sort of CLERKS meets WAR OF THE WORLDS . The unfortunate thing is that in the haste to get it produced someone - or rather everyone - forgot to develop it properly
There's two vague ideas are play here . A comedy and an alien invasion movie but the whole tone feels entirely off centre . Characters discuss other movies as the invasion takes place you never get convinced that there's a post modernist aspect to any of this . Indeed you never believe the characters themselves are anything more than characters from a mediocre film . For example someone's relative gets killed but there's no emotional pay off or follow up to this scene which reminds you that you're merely watching a film . The other thing is that the alien invasion itself is composed of balls of CGI light falling from the sky . For a film about an alien threat the threat isn't very threatening and seems to jar with the rest of the film
With a bit of work in developing the screenplay and with a bigger budget and some well known faces END OF THE WORLD could have been a big box office hit at the cinema , but then you realise it's all ready in effect a big box office hit called THIS IS THE END and this SyFy production seems merely created to cash in on it . I will be honest and say END OF THE WORLD isn't as bad as some SyFy productions but that is not saying much
There's two vague ideas are play here . A comedy and an alien invasion movie but the whole tone feels entirely off centre . Characters discuss other movies as the invasion takes place you never get convinced that there's a post modernist aspect to any of this . Indeed you never believe the characters themselves are anything more than characters from a mediocre film . For example someone's relative gets killed but there's no emotional pay off or follow up to this scene which reminds you that you're merely watching a film . The other thing is that the alien invasion itself is composed of balls of CGI light falling from the sky . For a film about an alien threat the threat isn't very threatening and seems to jar with the rest of the film
With a bit of work in developing the screenplay and with a bigger budget and some well known faces END OF THE WORLD could have been a big box office hit at the cinema , but then you realise it's all ready in effect a big box office hit called THIS IS THE END and this SyFy production seems merely created to cash in on it . I will be honest and say END OF THE WORLD isn't as bad as some SyFy productions but that is not saying much
Pretty Standard Sci-Fi fare
davidm-1424 February 2013
Pretty average for a sci-fi channel movie, though the humor level is a little higher, and the presence of Brad Dourif, Neil Grayston (Fargo from "Eureka") and Greg Grunberg (from "Heroes", who rises far above the material) makes it much more watchable.
The earth is being bombarded by plasma balls, which fry people and stuff, but that's only the beginning. A far greater threat will destroy the earth unless our intrepid geeky movie line-quoting video store clerks can save the day (oddly, the most unbelievable part of the movie is that there's still an open video store in existence). The special effects are not bad, and the acting, apart from a few really noticeable Canadian accents, isn't bad either.
The earth is being bombarded by plasma balls, which fry people and stuff, but that's only the beginning. A far greater threat will destroy the earth unless our intrepid geeky movie line-quoting video store clerks can save the day (oddly, the most unbelievable part of the movie is that there's still an open video store in existence). The special effects are not bad, and the acting, apart from a few really noticeable Canadian accents, isn't bad either.
Typical TVM
amgreen755 June 2018
Someone Actually Sat Down To Write This !!
adabsiz10 December 2021
Fat Greg and his nerdy supporting cast save the world all by themselves from somewhere in Canada ! WOW ... at least it wasn't the usual rescue squad in downtown LA .
I just wonder why would someone sit down to write such garbage in the first place, convince a few moneybags to invest in making it and then use cheap CGI and jerky camera shots ... and call it a movie !!
Avoid if you have better things to do ...
I just wonder why would someone sit down to write such garbage in the first place, convince a few moneybags to invest in making it and then use cheap CGI and jerky camera shots ... and call it a movie !!
Avoid if you have better things to do ...
Rather overrated...
greekdx10 April 2023
I have seen this movie recently but I didn't like it. Altogh it senses as blaockbuster it I seems as an indie movie with very low budget. In a way it reminds me the style of TROLL where a crazy professor has foreseen this happening by calculating the time a strong electromagnet ray will pass the earth an start destroying everything an found a solution to it . Not trying to dvisclose the remain story . I wa not so much persuaed by this story nr the blue rayed elecrtomag bombs and the rather funny dissolution of humans after been hit y these 'bombs' .another funny was the idea that some humans not killed were as like electrostatic bomb batteries that can kill humans or destroy electronic equipments!!
As in result this person must first ground himself before continuing his 'job' The second funny wth that is that tese bombs killed most villains instead of the goods!!
A dramatic story gets quite humorous this way..
As in result this person must first ground himself before continuing his 'job' The second funny wth that is that tese bombs killed most villains instead of the goods!!
A dramatic story gets quite humorous this way..
really good cheese
chakukan29 March 2016
Warning: Spoilers
When I saw this I really wasn't expecting much as it seemed cheesy. I'd surfed and settled for this on a rainy day. I giggled here and there and my initial reactions were disarmed. Admittedly i too enjoy a really good apocalyptic movie and I guess I would qualify as a nerd type. But this movie was actually pretty good, it doesn't take itself too seriously and it has some really funny bits and I enjoyed and got all the references to the movies they quoted. It was more of an homage really, and I actually recommend it for anyone . No big budget or fancy effects so they relied on wit and inventive dialogue! Cheese being cheese, This was really good cheese!!
Bearably to watch
allisonjoseph-0056611 September 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Ludicrous plot are we to believe that the faith of the world comes down to two video rental clerks, where are the NASA scientists, the government, the military, and to make things worse one crazy scientist new it was coming, and while on there to way to save the world we enjoy their fun loving jokes because nothing is that bad when you're have fun
Cheesy goodness
dawnmeredith201026 June 2020
While I understand the low ratings of this movie, I think if you watch it in the spirit in which it appears to have been made, it's really a fun movie. End of the World is a tongue-in-cheek homage to pop culture, sci-fi and (of course) disaster movies. The pop culture references alone were fantastic, and the actors are clearly in on the joke, not taking themselves or the cheesy script too seriously. Greg Grunberg is adorable as always. I expected this movie to suck wind, and was pleasantly surprised. If you're a fan of disaster movies and looking for lighthearted escapist fluff, watch this movie & enjoy a few chuckles.
I love it!
joantytler23 March 2014
I'm sorry others don't seem to like this movie, but I did! There isn't a part of it I don't like. It's funny and cute. I think ALL the cast was good . . . Greg Grunberg was awesome, funny, switching to serious when he had to. Neil Grayson was fabulous, and reminded me a bit of Art Carney; he seemed to end up in the middle of everything. Caroline was terrific , using her eyes and beautiful smile to the fullest. Mark was great - a true villain that one wants to shake. Brad Dourif played very well the frustrated, anxious expert, unable to get through to his captors. Even Serge Houde played his part superbly. I think his "I like it" is classic. To me, all the cast did marvelously . . . their acting drew me right in. Maybe others see technical problems, but I watch this any time I get a chance. The more I see it, the more I like it.
An adequate entry into the sci-fi and disaster film genres.
ersinkdotcom17 April 2014
Warning: Spoilers
I don't know why, but for some reason I've been going through a disaster movie phase this past month. It started out with "Airport '77" and escalated quickly through the 1970s to the 1990s and beyond. I hit as many of the sub-genres along the way as I could by watching "The Towering Inferno," "Meteor," "Daylight," "Sharknado" and more. Needless to say, it wasn't hard for me to get into the zone when I received Anchor Bay Entertainment and SyFy Channel's "End of the World."
A video store owner (Greg Grunberg) and his film geek buddy (Neil Graston) find they're the key to saving the world when an electrically- fueled storm of dust and lightning bursts pound the Earth. The two unlikely heroes use their previously useless knowledge of disaster film scenarios to discover a way to save the planet from certain doom. At the same time, they must lead a group of friends to safety while fighting their way through gangs of survivors trying to steal their van and supplies for themselves.
The back of the DVD cover has a quote stating, "The best film that I've ever seen on SyFy!" I would have to side with Through the Shattered Lens' Lisa Bowman that "End of the World" is one of the better straight- to-cable movies my eyes have gazed upon. The story really isn't anything new, but is made tolerable through characters that are both likable and easy to hate depending on what their specific role in the movie demands of them.
The casting director for "End of the World" kept their end of the bargain by packing the movie full of familiar genre faces for various audiences to grab on to. Greg Grunberg ("Heroes") and Neil Grayston ("Eureka") play the leads. They trade sci-fi banter and film quotes that make hardcore geeks feel like they're in on a joke not every viewer will get. Brad Dourif ("The Lord of the Rings," "The Exorcist III," and every independent horror or sci-fi project he has time to be in) plays the crazy doctor who holds the answer to how to stop Armageddon from happening. Too bad he's only in the movie long enough to act nuts for five or ten minutes and then die.
The special effects are as good as you can expect from low-budget fare like "End of the World." The CGI team does what they can with the money they've been given. The way the unfortunate folks who get hit by the electrical pulsing meteorites explode more than make up for how animated the effects might look.
"End of the World" is rated PG-13 for sci-fi action and some disturbing images. There are some scenes where people explode in a splash of digital gore, but nothing out of the ordinary for these types of movies. I recall some bad language spread throughout as well.
"End of the World" is an adequate entry into the sci-fi and disaster film genres. It will suffice for those who have burned through all the other movies of its type and are looking for something new to watch. It's further made tolerable through the wink-wink-nudge dialogue traded between its two nerdy lead characters. If you're looking for something to pass the time on a Saturday night, I would recommend this for folks who enjoy a good grade-C flick.
A video store owner (Greg Grunberg) and his film geek buddy (Neil Graston) find they're the key to saving the world when an electrically- fueled storm of dust and lightning bursts pound the Earth. The two unlikely heroes use their previously useless knowledge of disaster film scenarios to discover a way to save the planet from certain doom. At the same time, they must lead a group of friends to safety while fighting their way through gangs of survivors trying to steal their van and supplies for themselves.
The back of the DVD cover has a quote stating, "The best film that I've ever seen on SyFy!" I would have to side with Through the Shattered Lens' Lisa Bowman that "End of the World" is one of the better straight- to-cable movies my eyes have gazed upon. The story really isn't anything new, but is made tolerable through characters that are both likable and easy to hate depending on what their specific role in the movie demands of them.
The casting director for "End of the World" kept their end of the bargain by packing the movie full of familiar genre faces for various audiences to grab on to. Greg Grunberg ("Heroes") and Neil Grayston ("Eureka") play the leads. They trade sci-fi banter and film quotes that make hardcore geeks feel like they're in on a joke not every viewer will get. Brad Dourif ("The Lord of the Rings," "The Exorcist III," and every independent horror or sci-fi project he has time to be in) plays the crazy doctor who holds the answer to how to stop Armageddon from happening. Too bad he's only in the movie long enough to act nuts for five or ten minutes and then die.
The special effects are as good as you can expect from low-budget fare like "End of the World." The CGI team does what they can with the money they've been given. The way the unfortunate folks who get hit by the electrical pulsing meteorites explode more than make up for how animated the effects might look.
"End of the World" is rated PG-13 for sci-fi action and some disturbing images. There are some scenes where people explode in a splash of digital gore, but nothing out of the ordinary for these types of movies. I recall some bad language spread throughout as well.
"End of the World" is an adequate entry into the sci-fi and disaster film genres. It will suffice for those who have burned through all the other movies of its type and are looking for something new to watch. It's further made tolerable through the wink-wink-nudge dialogue traded between its two nerdy lead characters. If you're looking for something to pass the time on a Saturday night, I would recommend this for folks who enjoy a good grade-C flick.
Better than expected!
brandon-4412 December 2013
First you have to set what to expect, this is a SyFy channel made for TV movie with some great actors (Eureka, Heros) and a decent script. I was expecting a bad B movie, but watched it in HD with surround and was very impressed. The actors are not bad, the writing and story is fairly decent providing some comedy, action, and OK effects. As a Sci-Fi fan and even the SyFy made for TV movies I found this better than average. If you want a good ride, some silly comedy and a basic script you will get a B movie with better effects and acting. I wish the director had made it flow a little more and give some more dramatization to it, but it's what it is, straightforward end of the world movie. It's worth a watch if you're not wanting a big budget film and enjoy a Sci-Fi / Comedy.
Usual upshilling of a turkey by single review account reviwers
VoyagerMN198620 February 2018
Let's just state at the outset: If you see so many 8 to 10 star reviews by people who have only reviewed one film, you know it is going to be terrible since the makers or marketing people were desperate enough to have to shill it up here.
This film is just terrible. And I don't mean because of its cheap production values. I have no problem with a decent idea and script done on a low budget.
but sometimes a budget is low because only a tiny demographic of total fools will like it, and that is the case here.
The film tries first to be a satire of the apocalypse genre and then a part of it. This fails completely. I mean these guys are "totally prepared for anything" yet don't have water or a firearm, the two rational necessities to be ok for even the most plausible loss of rule of law/loss of supply two week duration emergencies, say some kind series of Katrina level storms or a bad earthquake? Only the bad guys have guns? Sure.
This film is just terrible. And I don't mean because of its cheap production values. I have no problem with a decent idea and script done on a low budget.
but sometimes a budget is low because only a tiny demographic of total fools will like it, and that is the case here.
The film tries first to be a satire of the apocalypse genre and then a part of it. This fails completely. I mean these guys are "totally prepared for anything" yet don't have water or a firearm, the two rational necessities to be ok for even the most plausible loss of rule of law/loss of supply two week duration emergencies, say some kind series of Katrina level storms or a bad earthquake? Only the bad guys have guns? Sure.
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