There’s no doubt that Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg have Hollywood in the palm of their hands. When they made the hilarious, star-studded comedy, This is the End, it was evident that they could do whatever they wanted. The Canadian Jews first got their behind-the-scenes fame when they made the 2007 hit Superbad. The cult-film was originally written by the two when they were in high school and Rogen hoped to play one of the parts that was given to Michael Cera or Jonah Hill. After starring in the Judd Apatow shows, Freaks and Geeks and Accepted, along with a slew of other television shows and films, by the time Rogen was able to get Superbad made, he was too old for one of the starring roles and played a hilarious cop; opposite Bill Hader. The two went on to make blockbuster comedies such as Pineapple Express, The Green Hornet, and Neighbors. This Friday, their newest comedy comes to the big screen.
I saw an advance screening last night of The Night Before and it was hilarious. The film focuses on three thirty-something friends who have celebrated Christmas night together for more than a decade, but are now getting a little too old for their ritual. They decide to make this Christmas their last year together and plan to go out with a bang. The film focuses on them bopping around New York City as they make their way to The Nutcracka; a private party that only guests must get a secret invite to attend.
The film reunites Rogen and Joseph Gordon-Levitt with their 50/50 writer and director Jonathan Levine. The film also stats Anthony Mackie; one of my favorite actors around. Mackie has co-starred in the latest Captain America film and one of my favorite movies of all time: 10 Years. The comedy also features comediennes Mindy Kaling and Lizzy Caplan, along with some hilarious cameos I will not say.
The film isn’t Oscar-worthy or anything, but it will have you laughing from the beginning to the end. The narrator of the movie is the one and only Tracey Morgan, which warms your heart to know he’s back and also tickle your funny bone with his usual antics. You’ll relate to a lot of the movie when it comes to friends, family, and getting older. The Night Before does have some heart, as well, and is the perfect movie to watch around Christmas time. Also, the film celebrates Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanza, which is nice.
This weekend, the final Hunger Games movie comes to the big screen. It will be hard for The Night Before to reach the viewership and success that it should have, but I still see it being in theaters for a while and showing the world why Rogen and Goldberg are one of the best packages in the entertainment industy.
