SPOILERS FREE
Let me begin by saying this movie never should've been pulled from theaters due to threats being placed against cinemas if they released the film on it's initial opening weekend due to it's subject matter. Making a film about North Korean dictator Ki, Jong-un was always a risky business going into it, but the filmmakers didn't verbally bash him like the way the media does. They presented a pretty fair and accurate portrayal of the man giving both his good and bad traits, while combining those traits together to morph him into the figure that we all know and despise today. The release of this film has tested the freedom of speech that we Americans hold highly and care about so much in our culture, that to have someone else threaten to attack us for exposing them on their own faults and our own studios giving into the threat of terrorism is aggravating. The Interview was never mean't to be an indictment but rather a harmless and fun piece of entertainment that sheds light on an issue that many people across the world are concerned and angry about. The Interview is a rather simple film that had the misfortune of being tied to a political issue that never should've led to its pulling from local multiplexes in the same vein that Dark Knight Rises never should've been tied to the Aurora theater shooting at it's midnight premiere. Because of events like these, both films garnered attention from them for both good and bad reasons. The Interview has benefitted from sold out screenings across the United States in limited theaters while making 31 million from online rentals that can be directly linked to all the massive hype it's been getting from the media. The biggest shame is never having the opportunity to get a full blown theatrical release and seeing how the controversy would affect it right now through the box office. Enough of the hype and lets discuss the actual film.
The Interview is no Citizen Kane, Shawshank Redemption, Godfather, or Dark Knight but it's also no horrible movie either. It's mission from the beginning was to be harmless fun which it accomplishes right off the bat. The film is downright hilarious at times and makes a point to audiences that it's not meant to be taken seriously. Sure it's subject matter is a sensitive topic and presents some good questions concerning the personality of the Korean dictator but it was never meant to be an indictment, just an excuse for our brilliant comedic duo to go on an adventure and stage a comedic version of Ron Howard's Frost/Nixon film involving Kim Jong-Un. The storyline deals with Dave Skylark and producer Aaron Rapoport played by both James Franco and Seth Rogen, being landed an interview with surprise fan, North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un. Upon accepting the request to interview the North Korean dictator, they are recruited by the CIA to turn their trip to Pyongyang into an assassination mission. Right off the bat this movies storyline is supposed to be absurd but contain large amounts of fun with it. The humor ranges from clever nostalgic trivia involving movies to crude humor. James Franco is clearly the one star of the two that makes the whole film worth watching, possessing great comedic talent and moments of seriousness when it's appropriate. Seth Rogen backs him up as the more foul mouthed but caring producer and friend, even possessing some great comedic moments of his own. He falls for Kim Jong's assistant named Sook, who also shares the same form of attraction towards him. The real star of the film lies with Randall Park as President Kim. He is terrific for the part making Kim Jong both likeable and scary simultaneously. The fault of the film lies with the comedy sometimes feeling forced and it's storyline reaching rather absurd moments that take direct inspiration from Inglorious Bastards near the climax of the film. The script is the films weakest link making some of the humor come off as being not funny. The key to this films success is the two leads and their remarkable chemistry. They are perfect here like they demonstrated in their previous outing Pineapple Express. Kim Jong's balance of being good and bad is handled perfectly here with the two blending together at the end, and the innocence of having fun with such a unique yet controversial subject matter. It's a shame this films humerous side is being overshadowed by it's controversy and turned into a bigger issue than it actually is.
The Interview can be described as harmless comedy and a fun way to kill 100 minutes. It's purpose was to not be anything other than immature laughs. Sure it tackles some good issues that we all should be looking into and questioning but using the film as a tool for expressing first amendment rights, and being a form of anti-terrorism kinda overshadows the filmmakers intent when first setting out to make the film. When watching the film, try and keep out the heavy controversy and judge the film as the comedy it was meant to be viewed as before the controversy started. It deserves that right.
7/10
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