I admit I mainly went to see this as a protest movie ticket purchase.
Don't expect another "Dr. Strangelove," "Life of Brian," or "Ruthless People" when you go and see this.
This is an R-rated gross out farce of a buddy comedy full of potty and sex humor. It's also unbelievably graphically violent at times.
However, I can honestly say I was entertained. Although interviewer Dave Skylark's (James Franco) character was a bit annoying and grating at times, there was genuine chemistry with his producer Aaron Rapaport (Seth Rogen). There were so much gay sex humor in the beginning of the film that I'm still a bit confused whether Skylark is supposed to be gay or straight.
It turns out the leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-un, is a fan of their show and wants to be interviewed by Skylark. The CIA recruits the pair to "take out" Kim Jong-un.
Most of the movie is so ridiculous that it insults your intelligence, such as a scene where Skylark is allowed to go wondering the streets of Pyongyang without any minders. Both characters play on the dumb American fish out of water stereotype.
One highlight was early on in the film with an "interview" with Eminem - it was very funny and kudos to Eminem for poking some fun at himself. A scene later in the film where Skylark makes fun of Rapaport being Jewish also got big laughs.
I saw this at an art-house theater about 3/4 full in Berkeley, California. The audience was laughing quite a bit.
Randall Park was also very good as Kim Jong-un, the young tyrant who just wants to be loved and understood. Until you get on his bad side, of course. In the tradition of the "Great Dictator," what better way to get back at these psychotic mass murdering totalitarians than by making fun of them?
Don't expect another "Dr. Strangelove," "Life of Brian," or "Ruthless People" when you go and see this.
This is an R-rated gross out farce of a buddy comedy full of potty and sex humor. It's also unbelievably graphically violent at times.
However, I can honestly say I was entertained. Although interviewer Dave Skylark's (James Franco) character was a bit annoying and grating at times, there was genuine chemistry with his producer Aaron Rapaport (Seth Rogen). There were so much gay sex humor in the beginning of the film that I'm still a bit confused whether Skylark is supposed to be gay or straight.
It turns out the leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-un, is a fan of their show and wants to be interviewed by Skylark. The CIA recruits the pair to "take out" Kim Jong-un.
Most of the movie is so ridiculous that it insults your intelligence, such as a scene where Skylark is allowed to go wondering the streets of Pyongyang without any minders. Both characters play on the dumb American fish out of water stereotype.
One highlight was early on in the film with an "interview" with Eminem - it was very funny and kudos to Eminem for poking some fun at himself. A scene later in the film where Skylark makes fun of Rapaport being Jewish also got big laughs.
I saw this at an art-house theater about 3/4 full in Berkeley, California. The audience was laughing quite a bit.
Randall Park was also very good as Kim Jong-un, the young tyrant who just wants to be loved and understood. Until you get on his bad side, of course. In the tradition of the "Great Dictator," what better way to get back at these psychotic mass murdering totalitarians than by making fun of them?