The Interview

Rating: R

Runtime: 112 minutes

Score: 8/10 – Excellent

**WARNING: The following contains spoilers**

+Strengths – Franco’s idioms, the bromance, Kim Jung-Un the second, funny throughout, classic Franco-Rogan, “honey-dicking,” Katy Perry.

-Weaknesses – James Franco got weird, wasn’t that offensive (*CoughSonyCough*).

**Note: The Interview had a very weird, and laborious journey leading up to its release, which even now is still limited. I will provide links at the end of the review for two places that the movie can be (legally) found online.

The Interview is the latest film feature the comedic pairing of James Franco and Seth Rogan. For those of you that like those two, you know exactly what to expect and you won’t be disappointed. For those of you that hate them and their movies, turn around now. The Interview is about Franco’s character, David Skylark, being invited to interview the great leader of The People’s Republic of Korea himself, Kim Jung-Un. With Rogan tagging along as his best friend/producer, the duo is called on by the CIA to assassinate Kim. What follows is a whole lot of classic Franco-Rogan shenanigans.

They hate us, cause they ain’t us.

One of my favorite movies of all time happens to also feature the stars of this one; Pineapple Express. The Interview was very similar in the sense that it featured several action scenes, and a pretty great chase scene mixed in with all the comedy. It provides a nice variety, and helps to keep the movie interesting.

Some of the better (and more regular) jokes to come out of this were all of Franco’s little idioms. He had all sorts of dumb sayings throughout the movie that provide everything from a chuckle to genuine laughter. The two best running jokes involve singer Katy Perry, and the term “honey-potting.” With the exception of a few jokes, the vast majority of the humor is successful.

In a semi-unrelated not, one fun fact for all you fans of The Office out there, Kim Jong-Un is played by Randall Park, whom many of you know as Asian Jim.

You have been banned from /r/Pyongyang

Really, there isn’t much in the way of negative things to talk about with The Interview. James Franco did get a little weird in parts (I think he might be crazy), but that’s about it.

The worst part of the movie was the whole “will they, won’t they” with Sony and whether or not they would release the film.

Also, for what it’s worth, this was exactly what audiences have come to expect from Franco and Rogan, so if you don’t like them, then I suppose there are a lot more bad things to be said.

Overall

I’m glad The Interview was released so that we are finally able to see what the entire hubbub was about. Truth be told, The Interview was more offensive to America, American citizens, and Jewish people than it was to the nation of North Korea. It’s a shame that people were offended, and subsequently tried to suppress the film.

If you liked Pineapple Express, or Franco and Rogan, do yourself a favor and give The Interview a watch. It’s funny, and will give you something to do with your older family members this holiday season, and it’s viewable online so you don’t have to deal with busy movie theatres!

To view The Interview go to:

Google Play

YouTube Movies