"The Interview" Review: Rogen And Goldberg Are Now The Official Kings Of The Dumb Smart Comedy

Forget about all that nonsense dealing with Sony, hackers and a potential nuclear threat. Why? Because The Interview is good. Yes, you read that right, it is good. Heck, some might even call it great if they in a silly enough mood. Now let's level you off right here, we aren't talking comedy genius here, just a good fun little movie that is part political satire, part media satire and part dumb ass comedy but really, did you expect anything less? Read the full review after the break.

Review Vital Stats: 
Projector Type: Video on demand           
Film Rating: R
Film Runtime: 1 hr 52 min
Studio: Sony Pictures
Release Date: December 25, 2014

Biases:  
Loves: This is the End
Likes: Seth Rogen, James Franco, Randall Park's star making performance
Neutral:  That most people are holding it up to higher standards simply because of the controversy 
Hates: That it didn't get the full theatrical release it deserved
Here's hoping: That we don't all get blown up over any of this.

Franco nails the obnoxious television talk show host personality.

Taking a page out of the generic movie advertising handbook, "From the guys who brought you the hit comedy This Is The End", comes a new comedy about a dangerous man, his captive nation and the interview by a celebrity gossip television show host that threatens to unravel it all. While writer/directors Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg have done a fine job constructing a script that is irresponsibly ridiculous, hysterically politically incorrect and offensive in all the wrong ways, nothing will change your mind about The Interview if you aren't in tune with their special brand of comedy.

There are so many different things going on in The Interview at one time that it is sometimes difficult to appreciate all the subtle nuances of the script, which is easily the biggest asset of the film. Between scenes comprised of James Franco and Seth Rogen continuously arguing a point that quickly gets lost in a myriad of insults and (literal) injuries and scenes featuring a hilarious scene stealing performance by Randall Park as Kim Jong-un giving a teary eyed confession to the fact that he loves Katy Perry songs, there is a sharply written satire developed in the background.

You would never guess that behind that scowl lies the heart of a madman...or would you?

Unfortunately you will have to wade through numerous butt, fart and gratuitous gay jokes, a consistent reliance on JR Tolkien references that often go from funny, to unfunny to hysterical in a matter of seconds and sudden bursts of unrelenting gore to find that satire. While their style of humor works for people like myself who love rude, crude and insulting comedic romps that like to disguise themselves as being dumber than they actually are (or is it a disguise?), it doesn't work for everyone and that sadly is the biggest divide The Interview has to face. Well, that and who will or won't show up for it's North Korean premiere.

What really makes the entire production click though is that everyone seems to know what kind of movie they were making and not a one of them is afraid to pull any punches. Rogen and Franco are quickly becoming a powerhouse comedy duo with Pineapple Express, This Is The End and now The Interview showing off their impeccible on (and off) screen chemistry which helps gives their characters an instant charm and familiarity that will either endear or repulse their audience depending on how they feel towards either actor. But regardless, even if you do not care for them or their work, there is no denying how well they work as a team.

Seth says to North Korea, "Talk to the hand!"

As mentioned earlier though it is Randall Park as Kim Jong-un who steals the entire film out from everyone else. No matter how good their script was, if they didn't find the right person for that key role the whole thing would have deflated. Thankfully Park was up to the challenge and turns in probably one of the best comedic performances of the year. No one really knows who Kim Jong-un is since he is such a recluse and Park takes advantage of that unknown and constructs a fantastically three dimensional character that even had this reviewer questioning why nobody likes him.

Make no mistake, The Interview has some real funny stuff in it that often times goes beyond the underlining idea of a shock jock television host being asked by the US Government to assassinate the man he is going to interview, but it smartly sticks to its guns and delivers on a subject that most serious filmmakers would likely shy away from while completely embracing its ludicrousness. There are a few messages in there buried beneath Franco's outlandishly entertaining performance that could have been better serviced than they were and even a bit of romance is snuck in for Rogen that feels sort of tacked on, but The Interview succeeds in spite of those shortcomings and easily becomes one of the best comedies of the year.

This is the true romance of the film and it hurts when it doesn't work out.

If none of that does anything for you then think of this as a reason to check it out. By the time it is all over you will know what a honeypot is, you will know what a honeydick is, you will know how far Seth Rogen's prostate will go for his country, you will WANT to know what a Matthew McConaughey goat f**k is and you will know (whether you want to or not) if Kim Jong-un has a butthole and can either pee or poop. Now, what other movie could possibly make you more culturally aware than that? And you know what, I like Katy Perry too so suck it.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

If you are still on fence about seeing The Interview just ask yourself this. Do you ever feel like a plastic bag drifting through the wind, wanting to start again? Do you ever feel, feel so paper thin like a house of cards, one blow from caving in? If so then you just gotta ignite the light, let it shine and let your colours burst. Why? Cause baby, you're a firework and you gotta show all the hackers of the world what your worth by seeing one of the funniest movies of 2014.

Posted in: Theatrical Reviews