‘The Interview’ Reviews Mixed After Screening Pushed Through Christmas Day; Thursday Showing Uneventful In U.S. Theaters; North Korea Called Sony’s Decision An ‘Act Of War,’ Warning Grave Consequences

"The Interview" reviews are mixed, with many critics "hating" it. Screening for the movie pushed through after Sony backtracked on its decision to cancel release in cinemas, and even digitally.

"The Interview" reviews were all across the spectrum after the movie pushed through screening at over 300 theaters across the US. The situation on Christmas Day was a stark contrast to last week, when theaters withdrew support of screenings, opting for substitutes like "Team America: World Police" instead.

Co-directors Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogen personally watched the 12:30 A.M. screening at a Los Angeles theater; the duo appreciated the overwhelming support, which was caused in part by the controversy of threats that plagued its release.

China and South Korea's reception to the release was equally as overwhelming, illegal video sharing sites were flooded with downloads. The screenings on US theaters Thursday turned out to be uneventful, with moviegoers practically unaffected by the threats.

The Microsoft Live portal experienced technical issues beginning Thursday, though, in a suspected Distributed Denial of Service in which hack group The Lizard Squad claimed full responsibility. Xbox Live and Sony's PlayStation Network went down hours apart; "The Interview" was available for download only on the Xbox Live portal.

"The Interview" reviews ranged anything from amused to disappointed. Asian audiences found the movie tiresome. A blogger in South Korea commented: "There is no drama and not much fun. It's all about forced comedy that turns you off. Couldn't they have done a better job making this movie?"

A viewer considered the movie more serious than expected. "It was more serious, the satire, than I was expecting. There's a message for America in there too about America's foreign policy." Most audiences saw it as a downright funny movie.

Part of the hype in "The Interview" reviews was caused by the anonymous threat Sony received, after a hack compromised the company's properties. The North Korean government warned grave consequences for the US should screening push through, called the Christmas Day launch an "act of war." (reuters.com)