Sony Pictures finally released its bawdy new comedy The Interview online on Christmas Eve despite terrorist threats - but was it worth the wait?
The comedy, starring Seth Rogen and James Franco, depicts an assassination plot against North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, so it was always going to be controversial.
However, no-one could have predicted its impending release would lead to a massive cyber-attack on Sony's servers, with tons of embarrassing emails from studio heads Amy Pascal and Michael Lynton leaked in the process, and threats of a 9/11-style attack if it was allowed in cinemas. Sony subsequently pulled the release after large cinema chains in the US opted against screening it, but now 200 independent cinemas have come forward to show the movie from Christmas Day.
Last week the FBI pointed the finger at North Korea as the culprit of the hack, carried out by a mysterious group calling themselves the Guardians of Peace, and everyone from Nick Clegg to US President Barack Obama has had their say on what has gone from a simple piece of entertainment to a very real, international incident.
But now the general public has been able to get their hands on The Interview (through YouTube Movies, Google Play and Sony's own dedicated website), reactions are beginning to pour in and the consensus seems to be that it's OK at best.
Read on for reaction to 2014's most talked-about film release:
What the critics are saying
The critical reaction to The Interview has been split down the middle, rating 50% fresh on review aggregator RottenTomatoes.com. That's slightly better than Angelina Jolie's Unbroken and Night at the Museum 3 (both are 48% fresh), which are also released around Christmas, and a lot better than Annie (30%) and biblical epic Exodus: Gods and Kings (28%).
Films that were reviewed more generously include Tim Burton's Big Eyes (71%), Disney musical Into the Woods (73%) and The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (60%).
The critical rating could continue to decline, however, as more ratings pour in.
The Los Angeles Times said, "Characterising it as satire elevates the creative execution of the film's very silly faux assassination of North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un far beyond what it merits."
A lot of the praise for the film went, rather ironically to, Randall Park, the man who portrays Kim Jong-um. The Independent wrote, "Randall Park, who plays Kim, is a riot throughout."
What casual viewers are saying
The Twittersphere was equally torn - deeming The Interview everything from an offensive mess to highly funny.
#TheInterview is a messy, silly, stupid funny, bad D movie with American crass humor, patriotism & Katy Perry. The "hype" made it big.
— Sonia Chopra (@SoniaChopra28) December 25, 2014
Just watched #TheInterview and the #NorthKoreans knew it was a rotten tomato, they were just trying to spare us. #fb
— Orlando Furioso (@ElConfeti) December 25, 2014
Ayyo lmaooooo #TheInterview is TOOOOO FUNNYY!!!
— Mr. White (@KiLLa_KaM74) December 25, 2014
#TheInterview was so great omg
— Lynette (@lynetteoghsteen) December 25, 2014
All-in-all, #TheInterview was nothing more than a batsh@t, off-the-walls, insanely stupid and funny satire. Nothing to crap your pants over.
— Rushman (@Rushman07) December 25, 2014
We watched #TheInterview. Funny stuff, but to think this is what caused a major international incident and sony's meltdown is mind-boggling.
— Marc Malkin (@marcmalkin) December 25, 2014How can I watch it?
Sadly, the online Video on Demand service is only available in the US at the moment.
YouTube Movies, Google Play, Microsoft's Xbox Video are all hosting the film alongside Sony's own website seetheinterview.com.
The movie is available for rent at $5.99 or for purchase in HD for $14.99.
The UK release date was expected to be February 6, 2015. We await confirmation from Sony that the film will be released on that date.
Will you watch The Interview?
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