Starring: Anna Kendrick, Craig Robinson, John Francis Daley, Ken Jeong, Rob Corddry, Thomas Lennon
Director: Paul Middleditch
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: Lions Gate
DVD Release Date: August 20, 2013
Run Time: 84 minutes
Film: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2.5 out of 5 stars
What is it with the end of the world obsession this year? We have this and “This is The End”..and why the hell is Craig Robinson starring in both of them? Very funny. Well I wish I can say that for this film. “Rapture-Palooza” is a clever movie that tries really hard to be funny, maybe a little too hard. What the film does have though is a sharp and funny cast. Besides Robinson, Anna Kendrick is amazing – simply amazing. She has such range and it is sad to thing she wasted it in “The Twilight Saga”. Some of my other favorite comics, also pop in like Ken Jeong, Rob Corddry and Thomas Lennon. I would watch this just for the cast. So overall, the film does have some good jokes for sure but overall the barely 90 minute film has trouble louring you in the whole time.
Official Premise: When the Apocalypse actually happens and a billion people are raptured up to heaven, Lindsey (Kendrick) and her boyfriend Ben (Daley) are left behind in suburban Seattle. The young couple try their best to lead a normal life surrounded by talking locusts, blood rain showers, and pot-smoking wraiths. But when the Anti-Christ (Robinson) makes his home base in their neighborhood, Lindsey finds herself the object of his affection. With the help of her family, friends, and a lawn-mowing zombie neighbor, the young couple set off to stop the Anti-Christ from taking her as his bride… and just maybe, saving the world in the process.
Lions Gate delivered this film in its usual format, Blu-ray + Digital Copy + UltraViolet. I do love me some Ultraviolet code, even for a movie like this which I would consider watching again to see if it gets any better second time. The 1080p transfer is clean and works well with the visual effects. Same goes for the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, which scores with the film’s jokes. The special features are not bad either. There is an audio commentary track with Craig Robinson, Rob Corddry and Rob Huebel, which is a laugh riot and better than the film itself, for real. There is a featurette on the film called “It’s Good to Be the Beast”. Lastly there are some Deleted Scenes and a Gag Reel included.
