The Interview Blu-ray Review

The Interview's Blu-ray presentation is predominantly commendable, with its 1080p transfer capturing a vibrant and clean visual experience. The image clarity is exceptional, with sharp and intricate details evident in skin textures, clothing lines, and even broader landscape shots. The efforts of cinematographer Brandon Trost are showcased well, particularly in the distinct handling of colors—from the vivid attire on the Pyongyang tarmac to the cool hues of the CIA control room, all presented with precision. Facial textures are notably strong, enhancing the makeup details on Randall Park and the hair details of Seth Rogen. Moreover, depth is managed effectively across various scenes, ensuring a natural and effortless sharpness in both close-ups and distance shots.

However, this release struggles significantly with black levels. The nighttime scenes and darker settings, such as the tiger scene, show a heavy black crush, where details dissolve into a soupy, undefined mess. While the inky black levels are apparent in certain respects, many elements in darker scenes blend together excessively, obscuring image details. Though some users report this issue corrected in non-U.S. copies, it remains a critical flaw in the U.S. release. Minor instances of banding are present but minimal. Despite these issues, overall noise and digital artifacts are virtually non-existent.

In conclusion, while "The Interview" benefits from an outstandingly sharp and vibrant transfer, the problematic black levels significantly detract from an otherwise high-quality presentation.

The Interview's Blu-ray audio presentation delivers an outstanding reference quality DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. This mix showcases precision, richness, and a depth of detail—from subtle ambient effects to the most intense explosions and gunfire. The music seamlessly integrates into the mix, presenting smooth, accurate front-side spacing with perfect surround complement and clear representation of both score and popular tunes. High-definition support pieces such as the child’s eerie song at the beginning and the dynamically engaged basketball scene are excellently reproduced. Sound effects, whether light rainfall or the barrage of gunfire in climactic moments, maintain clarity and lifelike heft. Dialogue remains crisp and centered throughout.

The immersive sound design provides notable directionality and booming low-end LFE use that highlights the action-packed sequences, particularly during the film's final showdown where audio dynamics shine the brightest. The balance between explosive sound effects and clear dialogue exemplifies well-engineered surround sound, ensuring spoken words remain prominent amidst high-intensity scenes. Additionally, the Blu-ray offers diverse audio tracks, including French and Spanish options, along with English Descriptive Audio Services. Subtitles are available in multiple languages, including an appreciated feature of commentary track subtitles in English. This meticulous audio engineering results in an engaging and fully immersive auditory experience.

The bonus features for "The Interview" Blu-ray provide a comprehensive and entertaining look behind the scenes of this controversial comedy. The filmmaker commentary by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg stands out as insightful and humorous, despite being recorded pre-controversy. The collection of deleted, extended, and alternate scenes adds valuable context and laughs, while extras like the gag reel, Line-O-Ramas, and various featurettes delve into the performances, technical aspects, and improvisational moments that brought the film to life. Additional segments such as Rogen and Franco’s spoof on "Naked & Afraid" and Randall Park's audition tape enrich the viewer’s experience.

Extras included in this disc:

• Filmmaker Commentary: Insightful commentary by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg.
• Deleted, Extended and Alternate Scenes: Includes numerous scenes adding context and humor.
• Gag Reel: A compilation of humorous outtakes.
• Line-O-Ramas: Multiple comedic takes on certain lines.
• Directors of This Movie: Insights from cast and crew about Rogen and Goldberg.
• Spies Among Us: Focus on the film's lead characters.
• Randall Park Audition Tape: Park’s entertaining audition for Kim Jong-un.
• Getting into Character: Examination of Randall Park’s preparation.
• Dating a Dictator: A humorous spoof video.
• Puppy Power: The puppy’s role in the film.
• Here Kitty Kitty: Behind-the-scenes of the tiger scene.
• Joking Around: On-the-fly jokes from the writers.
• Naked & Afraid: Spoof of going wild on the Discovery Channel show.
• Previews: Trailers for additional Sony titles.
• UltraViolet Copy of the Film: Digital copy via UV voucher.

"The Interview" stands as one of the most historically significant and controversial films, sparking international discourse far beyond its cinematic reaches. The narrative centers on Dave Skylark (James Franco) and his producer Aaron Rapoport (Seth Rogen), who snag an interview with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (Randall Park). Unbeknownst to them, the CIA sees this as an opportunity to assassinate Kim. The film’s climax features the dictator meeting his explosive demise via tank shell, a sequence that set off buzz well before its release. Headlines surrounding threats, censorship, and political ramifications catapulted this raunchy comedy from a mere film to a symbol of free expression and international intrigue.

Despite its turbulent backdrop, "The Interview" surprisingly delivers entertainment value on its own merit. While not politically astute, it provides plenty of laugh-out-loud moments through its blend of crude humor and satirical elements. It’s a classic Rogen-Franco escapade—jam-packed with sophomoric jokes and outrageous scenarios. The movie’s brilliance lies in its delicate balance between humor and absurdity without crossing into the realm of incoherence. James Franco’s performance as the superficial host Skylark juxtaposed with Randall Park's portrayal of a deceptively amiable Jong-un creates some of the film’s most memorable scenes. Their chemistry is magnetic, driving the film’s pace before culminating in its infamous, over-the-top action sequences.

Though the final act descends into chaotic mayhem, straying from its sharp comedic roots into a haphazard action flick, it doesn’t completely undermine the experience. Instead, it serves to underline the film’s audacious spirit and willingness to push boundaries. The climax might be excessive, but it encapsulates the absurdity ingrained within the storyline. The film may prompt viewers to lower their initial expectations, but its blend of humor and controversy ensures a viewing experience that’s both engaging and thought-provoking.

"The Interview" has undoubtedly garnered its fair share of attention, not just for its plot, but for the real-world geopolitical repercussions it instigated. As a comedic endeavor from the dynamic duo Rogen and Goldberg, it manages to balance raunchy humor with a politically charged storyline. The film navigates the assassination plot against a dictatorial figure with a combination of irreverence and wit that is characteristic of its makers. While not achieving the heights of satirical brilliance, it remains an amusing and entertaining piece.

From a technical standpoint, Sony's Blu-ray release excels in providing an exceptional viewing experience. The video quality is striking, boasting vibrant colors and crisp resolution. However, the transfer does have its shortcomings, notably in the form of subpar black levels which detract slightly during darker scenes. The audio presentation is handled expertly, delivering clear, immersive sound that enhances the overall impact of the film. Supplementary materials are plentiful, including insightful commentary and a range of engaging bonus features that add value to this release.

Did "The Interview" cross any lines? Was it too much to depict the grisly assassination of a monstrous dictator in a raunchy comedy? This film and the infamous Sony hack highlight the complex interplay between art, politics, and global security. Nonetheless, "The Interview" stands as a unique milestone in media history. Its home release, brimming with high-quality content and technical excellence, is highly recommended for collectors and comedy enthusiasts alike. This film remains a fascinating intersection of fiction and reality, one that continues to provoke thought and entertain simultaneously.