North Korea reportedly was in a tizzy regarding the release of this movie, but they really shouldn't have worried (much). Yes, the film points out that famines have occurred, food shortages are rampant, and the 'dear leader' is a strange guy. But there's no new insult to Kim Jung-un. Instead, he can speak flawless English, likes American television, and can dunk a basketball.
This comedy stars Seth Rogen and James Franco (who starred together in the late, lamented 'Freaks and Geeks' television show) play a television producer (Aaron Rapoport) and host (David Skylark), respectively. Turns out Jung-un is a big fan of their program, and agrees to be interviewed, in North Korea, for 'The Skylark Tonight'. Skylark is a pompous blowhard of limited intelligence, who has huge ratings by showing the seamier side of life. Rapoport is his producer who comes to want to do more serious news stories.
The CIA learns of the interview, and recruits the pair to assassinate Jung-un while in Pyongyang. Plans go awry, and they have to improvise to carry out their mission, and save themselves.
The North Korean controversy certainly put 'The Interview' in the headlines, especially when theaters around the country pulled the film in response to threats from that country. It's not a particularly funny film, but it has the requisite Rogen humor, including male-to-male physical contact, occasional sex scenes, flatulence jokes, and frequent references to various body parts.
It's funny enough to watch once, and the two leads are up to the task at hand. Randall Park, who plays Kim Jung-un, does a good job as a man-child who has his finger on the nuclear button. He's actually a pretty nice guy here, albeit with a heck of a temper.
Rated R for sexual content, language, and violence
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