Edgar Wright’s Cornetto gag started way back in 2004’s ‘Shaun of the Dead’, after weeping the rewards from Walls at its premier in 2004 in free ice cream it made its return in 2007’s ‘Hot Fuzz’. Now six years on the Cornetto trilogy has come to a bitter end, but does the finally bring with it those side splitting comedic moments that ultimately made Pegg and Frost famous.

‘The Worlds End’ reunites Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and director Edgar Wright for a third time in this Sci-Fi comedy. The two previous films in the Cornetto trilogy are arguably two of the best comedies in the last decade, but where Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz succeeded in its fresh comedy running throughout the spine of their movies, The Worlds End falls a bit flat. 

‘The Worlds End’ begins showing you the story of five teenage friends, Gary King (Simon Pegg), Andrew Knightley (Nick Frost), Oliver (Martin Freeman), Peter (Eddie Marsan) and Steven Prince (Paddy Considine), that fail in their attempt of the ‘Golden Mile’, a challenge whereby they must drink one pint in twelve pubs in one night ending at the Worlds End Pub. Skipping thirty years later where the friends have all drifted away from both their childhood home town and away from each other, we focus in on Gary King, the childhood leader of the group and now alcoholic, as he sets off to reunite the pack to take on the challenge once more.

On returning to their hometown they soon discover that things aren’t as they remember. No one remembers them and it soon becomes clear that the majority of the town folk are now aliens with the few odd humans trapped inside the small town.

The challenge that The Worlds End mounts upon itself from the start is that it’s a lot harder to attach yourself to the main character, Gary King, as it was in Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. Gary King is less likable, he is an alcoholic and all he is fixated on is completing the ‘Golden Mile’. He’s more of a dreamer re-living his childhood memories and hasn’t grown up and got a job as have his other friends. At the same time you get the sense that his friends are everything to him, but due to the lack of compassion you see from his character towards his friends and by learning about his actions during Andrew’s incident you soon realise that his friends don’t mean that much and are more of a passage to get Gary back to his past memories. You find yourself not really caring what happens to his character by the end of the movie.

The second downfall to this movie is that before it’s even started the expectation for comedic greatness is high due to the success of the previous two instalments in the Cornetto trilogy. It seems bizarre how three comedy films, one horror, one action and now one Sci-Fi have all been wrapped up into a trilogy rather than just being standalone movies. This hype hasn’t really helped The Worlds End as it’s nowhere near as funny, that saying it’s still not a bad movie.

The movie’s opening is quite slow and is more focused on feeding us the story and introducing the characters than making us laugh, a formula not used in Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz where the laughs were all throughout. While those two films were hilarious this is just funny in parts.

The middle of this movie is where the bulk of the comedy is situated that will draw a laugh out of anyone with a typical sense of humour. Along with the appearance of a Mint Chocolate Cornetto in The Worlds End, (Shaun of the Dead showcasing a Strawberry flavour, representing the blood, the Blue Original Cornetto in Hot Fuzz, representing the police and The Worlds End showing a Mint Chocolate flavour, representing the Aliens) you also get the wooden panel fence gag that was present in the other two movies. Though the gag is now nine years old, they are all slightly tweaked and it will still create a laugh. The middle is bar far the best part of this movie for both entertainment and comedy.

The final segment on the other hand isn’t so great. The story becomes very confusing and almost absent from comedy with only a few brief comedic moments. It could have been executed better with an alternate story ending.

The acting is very good from everyone, even the cameo appearances from Pierce Brosnan and David Bradley. The stand outs though are Martin Freeman, Pegg and Frost. Freeman has become a greater actor over the past few years since his acting in ‘The Hobbit’ and TV show ‘Sherlock’, his expertise can be seen in this movie and he delivers a top performance in this movie. Pegg and Frost on the other hand seem to spark when they act alongside each other and fit together perfectly. This extra morale you see makes their performance appear very natural and very easy to watch. Pegg and Frost together successfully constructs this new relationship with each other. Where in Shaun of the Dead they are best friends and Hot Fuzz they become friends they are now two forty year old blokes that fail to re-kindle there childhood friendship all throughout this movie. They both portray it perfectly and it’s great to see how Edgar Wright has changed up their relationship rather than fatiguing the same one first seen nine years ago in Shaun of the Dead.

The only thing that could be faulted with the acting would be somewhat of a spoiler so if you haven’t seen the move yet don’t read the rest of this paragraph and skip to the line starting “Despite”. The only thing that you can really criticise is the reaction from the characters once Oliver and Peter die. Imminently it doesn’t appear natural. You get this second of empathy and then after that the event seems to be forgotten and with Oliver’s sister, Sam (Rosamund Pike), you get nothing.

Despite the confusing ending ‘The Worlds End’ deserves to be separated from Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz that ultimately was a tall order to topple. Once you separate the hype factor brought along from the two previous films in the Cornetto trilogy then you still have a decent comedy movie. No it isn’t as good as the two previous films in the trilogy and it isn’t as funny but The Worlds End stands out as a good Sci-Fi movie with a deep story, enriching you in what feels like a more experienced acting performance from Pegg and Frost than seen in their previous collaborations. Comedy isn’t present as frequently as many people are going to expect but you still get those hilarious moments that will bring about a laugh from the majority that see it, mainly during the middle part of this movie.

No it’s not the most hilarious comedy to grace our screens in the past few years and yes The Worlds End feels a step down from Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, but by no means is this a bitter end to the Cornetto trilogy, this is still not to be missed.

Click here to Pre-order The Worlds End

As part of the 'Games with Gold' programme announced by Microsoft at this year’s E3, Assassins Creed 2 is free between now to the July 30^th. This programme is free to everyone with an Xbox Live Gold membership and Assassins Creed 2 is the second title after the XBLA title Defense Grid was made free from the 1^st July to the 16^th.

Though this game is still almost four years old and it isn’t exactly helping the ‘Games with Gold’ programme live up to the similar offer PlayStation is offering to its PlayStation Plus members, Assassins Creed 2 is still one of the top games in its franchise and definitely worth trying out especially if your yet to give the Assassins Creed games ago.

Along with this offer there is also a handful of Assassins Creed content on sale until the end of July.

• Assassins Creed – Was $19.99 – Now $14.99
• Assassins Creed 2 Sequence 12: Battle of Forli – Was 320 MSP – Now 214 MSP
• AC 2 Sequence 13: Bonfire of the Vanities & Secret Locations – Was 560 MSP – Now 375 MSP
• Assassins Creed Brotherhood – Was $19.99 – Now $14.99
• ACB: The Da Vinci Disappearance DLC – Was 800 MSP – Now 536 MSP
• Assassins Creed Revelations – Was $19.99 – Now $14.99
• ACR – The Lost Archive – Was 800 MSP – Now 536 MSP
• ACR – Mediterranean Traveller Map Pack – Was 800 MSP – Now 536 MSP
• Assassins Creed 3 Season Pass – Was 2400 MSP – Now 1600 MSP

The apocalyptic comedy movie ‘This is the End’ ironically casts light onto what has been a dismal summer of comedy films. This is potentially best comedy movie of 2013 and one of the best of the last few years.

‘This is the End’ stars an all-star comedy cast including Seth Rogen, James Franco, Jay Baruchel, Danny McBride, Jonah Hill, Craig Robinson with cameo appearances from Michael Cera, Emma Watson, Jason Segal, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Paul Rudd, Channing Tatum and Rihanna. Yes the cast is a mouthful. All of the characters in this movie play over the top and exaggerated versions of themselves.

The characters don’t seem to be up to much, (well other than being Hollywood stoners) and all meet up at James Franco’s house warming party in Hollywood. But before they can let the effects of heavy partying taking its toll (coked up Michael Cera the only exception), they are cast into the biblical judgment day. The righteous are beamed up to the heavens whilst the rest, including the entire guest list at Franco’s, are left to endure the massive sinkholes, giant monsters and fiery atmosphere that now plagues the earth.

With the crew of characters trapped inside Franco’s the comedy is injected into every possibly moment. The hostile atmosphere outside also begins to seep through into the house as tensions begin to arises, mainly caused by the shortage of food and water and not helped by Danny McBride’s trouble making character role.

Though the movie is confined in Franco’s house for the majority of the film you never feel bored. The hilarious gags keep coming with new aspects explored throughout to deny the movie from becoming anywhere near stale. You’ll see the characters giving video logs one moment and then drugged up re-creating a sequel to Pineapple Express 2 the next. Just as you think there isn’t much left to explore other characters are introduced such as Emma Watson and a possessed version of one character present at Franco’s.

This is the End manages execute the perfect balance of horror and comedy. At times tension is created but with a great comical outcome, the scene where Jonah Hill is asleep after his prayer is just one example. Yes you do get those references to other horror films (The Exorcist and Rosemary’s Baby) that are often present in comedy horrors, but ‘This is the End’ has its own take that doesn’t feel forced into the plot.

Something that many comedy movies fall short on is when they try add this short moment of compassion, where you as the audience are supposed to feel empathy towards the main character as they seek redemption. Many comedies attempt this hurdle yet fall, ‘The Identity Thief’ is just one comedy this year that is a casualty of this where you are supposed to empathise for this criminal who destroys lives. Safe to say ‘This is the End’ pulls this off well, you generally do feel this emotional tie that co-writers Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg (collaborated on Superbad together) have injected into the hilarity.

Towards the ending of this movie, and not including the emotive layer added, it doesn’t feel that well executed as you’d hoped. The humour begins to soften as the story unwinds and you won’t find any of those side splitting moments that you experienced during the main bulk of the film. Encountering one more of those at the movies end would have been perfect. Despite this small disappointment it won’t drag your enjoyment of this movie down.

Yes ‘This is the End’ is silly and cheesy throughout and at any given moment will add the overused ‘dick’ and ‘gay’ jokes at will, but you expect this formula form this movie and it doesn’t punch above its weight and try to be something more than it is (this is something The Hangover: Part 3 was guilty of). ‘This is the End’ is hilarious throughout and one of the best comedies to grace or screens in the past years and is likely to take the crown of best comedy film of 2013, well unless Anchorman 2 can top the first. The silliness adds to the humour and it wouldn’t be the same without it, coked up Michael Cera isn’t something that will be easily forgotten. One things for sure, if judgment day does arise then James Franco’s house is the place to be. 

Pre-Order 'This is the End' here !!!

The Xbox ‘Ultimate Game Sale’ day two titles have been announced, via Major Nelson’s official Blog. We have already seen the likes of Assassins Creed 3, Far Cry 3, Borderlands 2 and Max Payne 3 all for £8.99. So some very worthy deals are worth checking out, especially if you have the hard drive space free.

Todays Deals - UPDATED*

•           Gears of War: Judgment  – was $59.99 now $29.99 or £24.99
•          Metal Gear Solid Revengeance  – was $49.99 now $29.99 or £24.99
•          Tomb Raider – was $29.99 now $19.99 or £14.99
•          Bio Shock Infinite – was $59.99 now $39.99 or £34.99
•          Hitman Absolution – was $29.99 now $9.99 or £8.99
•    XCOM: Enemy Unknown - was $39.99 now $19.00 or £14.99 
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These titles are now available from the Xbox dashboard under the 'Ultimate Game Sale' icon on the homepage. Running along side these daily deals is special price drops for certain games including:- 

•      Mass Effect - now £4.49 or $5
•      Crysis - now £4.49 or $5
•      Prey - now £2.69 or $2.99
•      Bulletstrom now £4.49 or $5
•      Perfect Dark Zero - now £2.69 or $2.99
•      Dragon Age: Origins now £4.49 or $5      
•      Brothers in Arms: Hells Highway - now £4.49 or $5              
•      WWE 13 - now £11.99 or $14.99 
•      Far Cry Instincts Predator - now £4.49 or $5
•      Red Alert 3 - now £4.49 or $5 
•      Divinity II: DKS - now £4.49 or $5

The FREE XBLA title, “Spartacus Legends”, was released last week that is based off the popular TV series on Sky. Spartacus Legends (Ubisoft) is a fighting game that is slightly similar to the XBLA title ‘Deadliest Warrior’ (again based off a TV show), that was released a few years back, though Legends is free compared to DW.

After playing the game over the weekend the game is definitely worth checking out. It uses that free to play module that is coming all the range today that we have seen for years on mobile platforms.  Though this module hasn’t really been explored yet on the consoles it is clear that we can expect to see more title such as Legends rolled out in the next generation of consoles (if these sort of titles prove worthy financial wise for developers).

You receive both silver and gold coins, silver from winning matches and gold from levelling up. Silver coins are fairly easy to obtain and used to customize and buy better gladiators. As you rank up better customizations are made available, but for those that can’t wait you are able to make purchases using gold coins. Though gold coins are hard to come by more are made available through MSP purchases (gold coins are also used to purchase boss characters once they are defeated).

Gold Coin Glitch

One flaw I found within the game is the ability to gain an unlimited amount of gold coins through a glitch. Obviously by obtaining these extra gold coins it makes the game completion a lot easier through buying better characters and equipment.

The glitch occurs when you rank up after you have complete a match. Once the icon appears in the middle of the screen showing your new rank, gold coins will be rewarded to you (the amount will depend on your rank, you begin earing 2 gold coins and by the time you reach level 15 you are earning 5 gold coins). Stay on that screen where you are rewarded the gold coins. As soon as you see your gold coin total change on the top bar/ top of your screen, hit the guide button and dashboard. 

Load Legends back up and you should find you have been rewarded the gold coins but still haven’t ranked up. Play another match and once you rank up again repeat the process.   

Review

Overall when you first start out it does appear quite challenging, especially learning all the moves – expect to lose your first few matches. This can be off putting for some though once complete the first few games and start winning it does become entertaining. Your Gladiator characters can die in this game; this can cause frustration when trying to beat the boss characters, especially at the lower levels. As you can expect the difficulty of the fights increase as you progress through the different stages though by defeating the earlier bosses these won’t be as hard. By defeating a boss they are made available in the market (though boss characters cost gold coins), and it’s worth purchasing certain ones as they make the later boss fights a lot easier. Legends does have an online mode, though this feature isn’t anything to special, mainly due to the fact that matchmaking is random, so no private games with friends.

Spartacus Legends is fairly entertaining and you can expect to complete the game by the time you are level 15-16. Once you have completed the game there isn’t much replay value unless you are either determined to get the ‘Reach Level 50’ Achievement, or unless you are playing online matches. Though this is a problem the title is free and will definitely keep you entertained for a few days as long as you can get past that frustrating huddle of the first few fights.

Boss Tips

Boss 1 (Extremus District):- Oenomaus – Sword and Shield – Rating 283

The best Gladiator to use is one in the Dual Daggers category. Easy: Easy. Recommend Buying: - No.

Boss 2 (Mercatus District):- Acolytus – Dual Daggers – Rating 275

Use a character that has a longer weapon (not the Dual Daggers). Keeping this boss away from you is the key. Allowing him to get close to often is what will cause you to lose. Easy: Fairly Easy. Recommend Buying: - Yes.

Boss 3 (Insulae District):- Ixion- Two Handed Hammer – Rating 296

Use Acolytus against this boss and you shouldn’t have too much trouble. Ease: Fairly Easy. Recommend Buying:- No.

Boss 4 (Domus Nobilium District):- Masonius- Spear and Shield – Rating 296

Again I recommend using Acolytus but only by getting close can you win this one. Be prepared for a few attempts. Ease: Hard. Recommend Buying: Yes.

Boss 5 (Oscan Capua District):- Crixus- Two-Handed Sword – Rating 323

This is the most difficult fight and I recommend using the Two-Handed Sword Character. This may require you spending some gold coins on a purple class character. Ease: Most Difficult. Recommend Buying: Yes.

Boss 6 (Spectacula District):- Spartacus – Dual Swords – Rating 325

This is a very tough fight, though if you use Crixus you should find the fight fairly easy. Ease: Hard. Recommend Buying: No (Dual Swords is one of worst classes and Crixus feels twice 
the better character). 

Buy Spartacus Legends on DVD