The Interview

[Shelton Reviews]

"The Interview" the film that has been surrounded by senseless controversy, to the point where Sony pulled it's released, yet, later released on VOD, and other online-streaming sites. It's mind boggling that a film, of this much satire could produce such an effect one how we view films. Putting all the controversy and hype aside, let's talk about the film itself.

"The Interview" comes to us by the creators of 2012's "This is the End." Directed by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. Rogen himself stars next to his partner in crime, James Franco. It follows the story of successful entertainment talk show host Dave Skylark (Franco) and his show's producer and long time best friend Aaron Rapoport (Rogen.) After 1000 episodes together, Aaron is insulted about his producing job, rethinking all his choices and decides he would like to take things more serious, do more serious news, and what he wanted comes true when show host Dave Skylark burst into the room with news of North Korea's supreme leader Kim Jong-un is a fan of their show, along with "The Big Bang Theory," of course. Aaron puts his producing powers to work and lands Dave an interview with the most fearless dictator in the world. Oh, but not without the fact that the C.I.A wants the pair to assassinate Kim Jong-un.

First thing first, James Franco and Seth Rogen's chemistry together is out of this world. It's the funniest aspect of the film. These two in first act of the movie is making for some comedic gold. Throwing Lord of the Ring references left and right, partying, it's nothing less than what you'd expect from these two.

Then, things begin to stumble, losing a lot of humor in near and the middle of the film. Once more of the C.I.A enters the film, jokes fall flat, everything that was working flew out the window. It's almost like the forgot what they wanted this movie to be. This goes on far beyond the second act, leading into the third and final act of the film, it's got some of it's stepping back, but jokes are still falling flat.

It's ashame, when you met Kim Jong-un, he's really this ultra fan of Dave's "Skylark Tonight." Knowing the pose to saying he's freaking out inside. Randall Parks really nails the role, he's charming as Kim Jong-un of all people, it's too bad that all the potential this role has, it was wasted by silly poop jokes, and jokes that just really weren't that funny to begin with.

North Korea is an easy target for this film to go after, but "The Interview" pokes at America's media a lot more than it did with North Korea's leader. Easily some of the funniest moments come from "Skylark Tonight" have guest on from Eminem to Rob Lowe, both revealing secrets on-air that are followed by obscured and just silly tag lines. It's all in the real media today, the things that are considered news is just baffling, and that's one the strongest points for this movie, poking fun of America's media.

Overall, does the movie live to it's insane hype? No, sadly it doesn't. Does it deserve all of this controversy? Absolutely not. "The Interview" is quite a let down, in more ways than one, but frankly, what do you expect walking into a movie like this. It's gut-busting hilarious first act, slowed down to very raunchy jokes, that barely, just barely gains enough ground to finish without being complete and utter crap. Let's put it this way, if films such as "Pineapple Express" and "This is the End" are movies you have enjoyed, then you'll most likely enjoy this film. If you didn't like those two movies, skip this one completely.

2.5/4

[Nazcar]

The Interview (2014)
Here we have a movie which has received maximum publicity from an unlikely source which has brought studio politics and the White House into the limelight. Perhaps it could be said that the film itself may have merely got the attention via the perusal online trailers and promotions and weekly reviews had it not been for the unorthodox form of publicity. However what is crucial in reviewing this film is to put aside the real world publicity and assess its merits on the movie basis only. This is only the second recent film to fictionalise North Korean since Olympus has Fallen (2013) with Aaron Eckhart and Gerard Butler.
The now well publicised plot involves tabloid trash celebrity interviewer Dave Skylark (James Franco) and Aaron Rapaport (Seth Rogen) hitting the jackpot by being given the opportunity the interview the leader of the world’s most secretive state in President Kim(Randall Park). Immediately Agent Lacey (Lizzy Caplan) of the CIA mentors them to assassinate the “Axis of Evil “ leader.

There is no standout performance in the film. Though it draws a number of laughs everyone’s acting revolves around one element-crass, venal and trashy dialogue. It merely feeds into a perception that our political and media culture is like that or “The Thick of it” with many assuming the role of Malcolm Tucker(aka current Doctor Who Peter Capaldi) in their respective jobs which makes all the key acting one dimensional in terms of comedy acting. The closest to a calm and sane performance is Lizzy Caplan with the line of “take him out” which the dynamic duo take time to figure out.

There are times when the humour is witty and you can excruciate over the potential wrong moves Franco and Rogen make. There are a few obvious plot holes that could have been handled better. There are a number of other comparisons that could be made. One could be that it’s Superbad(2007) away from High School given how Superbad made Seth Rogen and another new line of trash comedy stars. The action elements could be compared to Inglourious Basterds(2009) but the scenes are not as convincing as Tarantino’s. Some may find the innuendo could be seen a grotesque like Pain & Gain(2013).

There are no new political lessons to learn from this. All the plot is a mere fantasy just as Inglourious Basterds is on how World War Two ended. Other may learn on why cable interviewers are viewed as dumbed down like Perez Hilton. Some have even likened the interviewing technique on parallel with the “idiot platform” of the internet. There is no new insight into the “world’s most secretive state” other than the Western World’s perception of the North Korean dynasty where the dictator is portrayed as a man sensitive to honour and heritage expectations. The best phrase is ”they hate us because they ain’t us” when discussing the constant need for one another’s approval in the age of 24 hours news and internet in the key friendship between leader and interviewer.

The film is rated 15. The audience, regardless of age, depends on how much violence and foul language one can take. There is a lot of adult humour in it so there are times when you do stop laughing due to the one dimensional humour. The film does merit the publicity in terms of the political tensions and paranoia but in terms of substance it tries to be so many films in one go that it does lose itself in it’s purpose. 3