There were many hilarious moments in The Interview, whether it's a suggestion about McConaughey's goat activities, Franco's furious war cry in the tank or the whole tiger situation. It's not for everyone, but I had great time and I won't feel bad or apologize for having great time. We can't just have super serious movies out there. We would go nuts.
While the story is something that you can expect from Rogen and Goldberg - hell, Franco's character even describes how the movie is gonna end at one point, much like with This is the End - the story itself is really ballsy. A lot of people question whether a movie like this should be made. This is not a question you should ever ask. Not in this day and age. Spare us the concern for dictator's feelings.
I was surprised that there were moments in this film that actually felt quite powerful - the whole interview sequence is really brilliant but its best moment is when Dave stops the orchestrated line of questioning and asks Kim head on why doesn't he feed his people. After a lot of anus, dick and weed jokes this kind of moment really stands out.The film gets a boost from having really likable leads. While Dave is a bit annoying he is still very likable - who can dislike the guy whose primary concern during combat is the safety of a puppy? Franco was really good, I haven't seen him disappear so much into character since Pineapple Express. He has great comedy timing and he sells the film's most absurd moments. Rogen is doing his usual here but I adore his usual. He is effortlessly likable in every movie he is in.
Randall Park from HBO's Veep comes close to stealing the movie as Kim. It's a difficult role but he nails it and he is actually gonna be in my supporting actor line up. Diana Bang is all sorts of badass as Kim's soldier lady. Lizzy Caplan comes of as a bit too stiff but her role didn't ask for much. The big asset are the supporting roles and cameos - Eminem, Rob Lowe, Joseph Gordon Lewitt and Parks and Rec's Jean Ralphio are here while Timothy Simons from Veep is hilarious as always.And that puppy. My God, that puppy!
The film also has bitchin' soundtrack - I think they successfully immortalized Katy Perry's Firework and they even had Scorpions' Wind of Change here. The visual effects and cinematography are really amazing for a comedy movie. In fact many times during carnage scenes I was reminded of Tarantino's Kill Bill films and Inglorious Bastards. I think he would dig that movie.
The thing that is almost as crazy and saddening as the whole cyber attack situation are the claims about this movie. That it is racist. That it's offensive. That no matter what Kim Jong Un does he doesn't deserve such treatment. That it's not funny. I'm not even gonna dignify the comments that pity the dictator. This is not high brow humor, but it's an amusing film. Whether people like it or not this movie is now a symbol of freedom of expression.Within minutes of its VOD release it's spread through Internet like wildfire. It's such a great thing because no one should dictate to anyone what movies they should and should not watch. But if you do not like this kind of humour don't waste your time watching it and don't waste anyone else's bitching about it on social media and writing ignorant, misinformed and pathetic statements about it. Right now the film is on a shortlist for Razzie Awards which is also saddening - they just show one more time that in terms of an organization they have less integrity than some common whore. They are just doing this for publicity and doing a lot of harm, they may as well wave "Kim don't hurt us, we hated the movie!" flag.
Maybe Franco and Rogen just got high and decided to do this movie. Or maybe they wanted to be brave and do this movie. Either way - it took some balls to make it and get that film out there. And I'm really glad they did that.
Plot: Dave Skylark and producer Aaron Rapoport run the celebrity tabloid show "Skylark Tonight." When they land an interview with a surprise fan, North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, they are recruited by the CIA to turn their trip to Pyongyang into an assassination mission.
Directors: Evan Goldberg, Seth Rogen
Writers: Dan Sterling (screenplay), Seth Rogen (story),
Stars: James Franco, Seth Rogen, Randall Park
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Love this! I can't wait to finally see this, and I'm so with you on Rogen's humor...he makes this kind of stuff work. I am so excited about Park's performance. I've heard he's one of the best of the year, and I am excited to learn he'd make your ballot! Great review.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah he is fantastic here, he is also flawless on Veep as is the entire cast, it's really such a terrific show and i love seeing the actors from there showing up in movies now.
DeleteI think this was pretty goddamn funny. It's not high art but dammit, it's hilarious. Plus, how can you not enjoy the idea of that Kim Jong-un is a Katy Perry fan. And yes, Katy Perry is better than that overrated, no-talent, cum-sucking bitch Taylor Swift.
ReplyDeletePerry is seriously so much better than this chick :)
DeleteGreat write-up Sati! I think because of the hype and politics surrounding this there was always going to be a lot of criticism, whereas if there wasn't the big kerfuffle it just would have been written off as another stupid stoner comedy. Still funny though, that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Yes, that's true also there is a bunch of people out there who just live to bitch about stuff and get retweeted or whatever
DeleteIt wasn't as good as I expected, although I had quite a few laughs.
ReplyDeleteGlad you didn't hate it! :)
DeleteGreat review! I haven't seen it yet, but I'm looking forward to it. Also, just tell me now... the dog doesn't die, right? I hate it when that happens in films.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Oh don't worry, if the dog died no way this would get a 7 from me :)
DeleteGreat review! I love vulgar humor too, so I enjoyed this. I don't think it's nearly as bad as some people are saying. I was kind of surprised at all the "omg worst movie eva!!!" comments I read.
ReplyDeleteAnd I laughed way too hard at the "That bitch is blind as a bat!" line.
Thank you! Oh God that was my favorite line :)
DeleteGreat review, Margaret! The kind of humor in Seth Rogen movies doesn't generally appeal to me at all. Like you, I have no problem with crude humor -- it just doesn't seem to be my thing. :-)
ReplyDeleteOn an IRL level, there is a part of me that finds the whole flap with North Korea funny, on several levels. (Like you, I don't give a crap about insulting a dictator's dignity.) I attribute part of it to cultural differences. I mean ... seriously, speaking as an American ... have the North Koreans seen how we trash our OWN leaders? I say horrible things about our president, and I actually voted for him ... twice.
Thank you!
DeleteIt's really incredible how blown out of proportion this whole thing was. I mean it's a movie. And it's not like Kim should be surprised people see him as someone who should die.
I only skimmed through the review (to avoid any spoilers), but I'm quite glad that you enjoy this type of humor. This is the End was my favorite film of 2014. period. Nothing on the dramatic side could compare, in my opinion. Neighbors was pretty good, as well, but nowhere close to This is the End.
ReplyDeleteLook forward to coming back and reading through this one, after I get a chance to watch!
This is the End had the most, after Gravity, of positive mentions in categories in my Best of list last year, it was just such a hysterical film.
DeleteI hope you'll like this one!
I've already accepted the fact that I'm not a big fan of comedies these days but I still watch them. I'm not in love with them and I voice my opinion highly about comedies degrading women by putting them in vile situations, but I do love myself some Rogen/Franco. And hough, I didn't find The Interview that funny, I still think it's an important film for the industry due to the issues around it. Also, the puppy saving makes Franco a lot more appealing and I've already liked him so... I like him a lot more now.
ReplyDeleteI need comedies in my life not to off myself :P No amount of puppies can make me stop thinking Franco is a pretentious douche but he was really good and funny here :P
DeleteWasn't a fan of The Interview at all. Yeah, like you I don't mind vulgar comedy or humour. Fucking loved Pineapple Express and This Is The End. But The Interview felt too forced and too jarring. The opening half was incredibly boring and felt painful to watch and when things did kick off, it felt too ridiculous. Think the only scene that has left an impression on me was in the restaurant when Kim is being his true drunk self. Eh, didn't like this at all.
ReplyDeleteSorry you didn't like that! You should have probably turned it off sooner then.
DeleteGreat review Sati. I'm glad they finally released the film. It's probably not a film I would want to see, but admittedly, I'm not a big comedy person. Maybe I need to be. I watch way too much dark and heavy stuff.
ReplyDeleteYou should definitely balance it out with some comedy, that's how I get by :D
DeleteNice review. This is the End and Neighbors were hilarious, so I was highly anticipating this one. I admire them for making this movie, but I kinda hated it. Apart from a few laughs, it just felt flat, and the humor seemed a bit lazy to me. That said, I'm so glad it was released, and I really hope it doesn't get any Razzie noms.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Sorry you didn't like it! Yeah I hope it won't get any Razzie noms either
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