Review: The Interview (2014)

I’m sure most of you are aware of the controversy surrounding the release of the new political comedy, directed by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, about assassinating North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, titled ‘The Interview’. It was clear that Americans weren’t North Korea’s favourite bunch of people before and now with the release of this movie, making a mockery of the ‘fearless’ dictator himself, North Korea are P-O’D! Initially set for cinematic release, Sony decided to back down with this after the recent Sony hack by the ‘Guardians of Peace‘, who demanded that Sony pull ‘the movie of terrorism’, later followed by a threat to future movie-goers stating:

“We will clearly show it to you at the very time and places The Interview be shown, including the premiere, how bitter a fate those who seek fun in terror should be doomed to. Soon all the world will see what an awful movie Sony Pictures Entertainment has made. The world will be full of fear. Remember the 11th of September 2001. We recommend you to keep yourself distant from the places at that time (if your house is nearby, you’d better leave). Whatever comes in the coming days is called by the greed of Sony Pictures Entertainment. All the world will denounce the SONY.”

A lot of cinemas backed out of showing the film. On 25 December, 2014, the film was opened to a limited release in the US across 331 theatres, but has mainly been released digitally. You can pick it up on iTunes, Google Play, Xbox Video & YouTube. 

The film is set around Dave Skylark (James Franco) and his producer Aaron Rapoport (Rogen), who run a popular celebrity news show (alot like E!) called ‘Skylark Tonight’.  Rapoport is tired of reporting on meaningless mundane celebrity news and, after discovering that Kim Jong-Un is a fan of the show, they are quick to arrange an interview with the man himself! Upon hearing the news of the duo’s future endeavours, the CIA approach them with plans to assassinate Kim Jong-Un because, despite them being two of the most unqualified people for the job, they’re the only ones who can get close enough to him to do the deed.

Some of the constant butt jokes and good-natured gay jokes may be slightly tasteless at times, but needless to say you’ll get a few good laughs out of the hi-jinks the duo get up to; from drinking margaritas and listening to Katy Perry in a tank with a surprisingly hospitable Kim Jong-Un, to poisoning the wrong guy and messing up the whole operation. Perhaps this comedy only works because of how risky its content is but, either way, Rogen and Franco’s chemistry sets up for some pretty controversial hilarity. I’d definitely recommend checking it out!