They interview entertainers, the Who’s Who in showbiz. Dave Skylark (James Franco) and his producer Aaron Rapport (Seth Rogen) are the guys behind the popular TV talk show, “Skylark Tonight.”  However, things aren’t going so well, Aaron wants to be known as a reputable and legitimate journalist, not just a fluff reporter. He wants to spice things up a little…maybe interview authors, activists and even politicians. So that’s what they do…spice things up. When they find out that North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un (Randall Park), is a huge fan of the show, they set up an interview. However when the CIA gets involved, Dave and Aaron are asked to do more than interview him…they’re asked to assassinate him. So now the action begins as the “Skylark Tonight” guys head to Korea, not only to change their show, but to change the world!

Rating: 1 and 1/2 popcorn buckets out of 5
Release Date: February 17, 2014
MPAA Rating: R
Best Age Group: 17+
Sexual Content: Excessive
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Excessive
Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Will Kids Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

Considering the film is centered around the assassination of North Korea’s leader, The Interview has caused a lot of controversy. The film’s release was almost cancelled, and is currently still not being shown in a lot of theaters.  This may spark an interesting parent/child conversation regarding freedom of speech.

The raunchy and crude humor is similar to that of Neighbors, Knocked Up and The 40-Year-Old Virgin...some of Seth Rogan’s previous films.

Sexual Content: Excessive

• Aaron meets Kim’s harem, who are only wearing skimpy lingerie. In a brief scene,  some of them are shown topless. We also see two of the woman kissing, while playing spin the bottle.
• Aaron has a sexual encounter with a North Korean woman. They are clothed, though we see explicit sexual movements.
• We hear many sexual references and conversations throughout the film. Some topics include; masturbation, porn, erections, Nicki Minaj’s vagina and Eminem coming out as gay.
• A man dies from poison, he vomits and excretions splash all over…this was disgusting.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive

• In a North Korean TV studio Aaron gets into a fight. His head is pounded into tables, his fingers are bitten off and he bites off someone’s fingers as well. We see blood gushing out all over the place.
•  Several characters die as they’re are shot by machine guns.
• President Kim shoots a bodyguard.
• A character’s head catches fire, we see this in slow motion, then his helicopter is blown up.

Crude or Profane Language: Excessive

• The f-word is said continuously throughout the film. We also hear “d–k,” “a–,” “h–,” “p—y,”  “b–ch,” “b–tard” and I’m sure there are other words I missed.

Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate

• There are party scenes that involve alcohol and marijuana.
• Character’s take Ecstasy and they make reference to cocaine.

Will Kids Like It? Yes

• I interviewed several teenage boys who thought the film was funny and entertaining. I also interviewed an 18 year old girl who didn’t like the movie at all.

This is a silly and rauncy, Seth Rogan R-rated  comedy… not appropriate for kids.