FILM and screen media graduate Josh Schultz reviews the latest movies to hit Ipswich screens...

AFTER months of minimalist trailers, Naked and Afraid specials and shock cancellations, the Seth Rogan/James Franco comedy, The Interview, finally hits local theatres on February 12.

Directors Evan Goldberg and Rogan helm this East vs West adventure about TV show host Dave Skylark (Franco) and his best friend and producer Aaron Rapoport (Rogan) who are drafted by the CIA to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, while conducting an interview.

With all of the controversy generated by the film there's an undeniable buzz of excitement when first sitting down to watch the movie.

Unfortunately, The Interview never lives up to the hype.

Instead of being the ground breaking, political comedy we thought it would be, it replaces a thought-provoking story with repetitive, lowbrow humour and over-the-top performances.

It's interesting how the relationship between the two lead characters reflects the film itself. As the producer of a celebrity gossip show, Rogan's character wants the opportunity to do something important whereas Franco's character is content being the joke of the news business as long as they continue being popular.

Similarly, The Interview had a real opportunity to go above and beyond the bar set by their previous work, but ultimately retreated into familiar territory, failing to live up to its own potential.

QUICK FACTS

• Release date: January 12, 2015
• Genre: Comedy
• Running time:
• 112 mins
• Directors: Evan Goldberg, Seth Rogen
• Stars: James Franco, Seth Rogan
• Showing at:
• Limelight, Riverlink
• Birch Carroll and Coyle, Ipswich
• Reading Cinemas, Redbank
• Star rating: 2/5