REVIEW: The Interview

Honestly, this one seemed a tad inevitable. Considering all the controversy that bubbled up last year around Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg's The Interview, I would be remiss if I didn't give it a watch. Now that I've seen it, I think it's safe to say that this is the new definitive example of making a mountain out of a molehill. I'd like to save everyone some time here at the beginning of this review, before I actually start talking about the movie. If you enjoyed previous Rogen/Goldberg/Franco outings like Pineapple Express or This Is the End, you'll probably enjoy The Interview, since it's the same kind of bromantic "buddies got together and had fun making a movie" style comedy that they usually produce. If you didn't enjoy any of those movies, then you probably won't like The Interview for the same reason.

The plot involves James Franco's incompetent-but-charismatic celebrity talkshow host, Dave Skylark. Upon learning that Kim Jong-un is a fan of his show, he and his producer, Aaron Rapoport (Seth Rogen) arrange an interview with the enigmatic dictator in his homeland of North Korea. They are soon contacted by the CIA, who request that the two assassinate Kim for the good of the world. They reluctantly agree and set off on their mission. It's a simple, if unorthodox, plot that really takes a backseat to the jokes and, surprisingly enough, the character development. It's no secret that the ACTUAL Kim Jong-un was less than flattered with his depiction in the film; that reaction isn't exactly surprising, considering the places this movie goes, but Randall Park's performance as the Supreme Leader is easily the highlight of the entire feature.

The film plays with the idea that Kim Jong-un is a master manipulator of the press and media (as Rogen points out, Franco IS the media); throughout the majority of the film, we're not certain if what we're seeing is really Kim's true colors or just an elaborate facade meant to trick the easily distracted Skylark. It helps that a character as mysterious as Kim Jung-un is played by an actor who usually plays minor roles; everything about the way Park acts on screen, from his body language to his delivery is absolutely perfect. When he tells James Franco "sometimes I feel like a plastic bag...", I honestly got a bit teary eyed. Because I was laughing so hard.

 James Franco and Seth Rogen fall into their usual roles of "crude goofball manchild" and "high-strung goofball straight man"; it's basically the same relationship their characters have in every one of these movies, but the formula works and compliments the chemistry they have on screen. Diana Bang is another standout, portraying North Korean propagandist, Sook Yung Park. Thankfully, her character isn't a one-note excuse to have an Asian person say things in a funny accent. If there's one thing I could say to anyone unsure about watching this movie (aside from praising Randall Park's performance), it would be that none of the best jokes are in the trailers (and that the few funny jokes in the trailers are much better when given context). If I had to compare it to the usual offerings from Franco, Rogen, and company, I'd say that those films are generally more consistent with their humor than The Interview is; it doesn't have as many "big jokes", but the ones it does have are top-knotch.

I went into this with only the slightest idea of what to expect. Responses had been thoroughly mixed and for every person who genuinely enjoyed or disliked it, there were a dozen who loved it because it represented victory over censorship or hated it because they wanted to be different. Having watched it in its entirety, I can safely say: it's pretty good. It's not amazing, it's not terrible, it's pretty good. Some parts of the movie are really fantastic (Randall Park's Kim Jong-un), others not so much (aside from a fun opening sequence and a great cameo from Eminem, the movie doesn't really begin until Franco and Rogen are off to North Korea). I wasn't laughing non-stop, but when I did, I laughed hard. Honestly, I have to give the movie credit; when the third act rolls around, the plot actually manages to get surprisingly compelling and the whole thing turns into a half-decent action flick (while still retaining the style of humor that's present throughout the rest of the film). If you're a fan of this style of comedy or you just want to see what all the hubbub and terroristic threats were all about, I suggest you check it out; it's a pretty fun watch.