Yes, it is done as a comedy; and yes it is funny - and I am not a comedy fan and rarely ever watch comedies - haven't laughed so hard in years.
Now the serious part. We all know the movie making business is about making money, but ask yourself after it is over would you spend a lot of money to make a film making fun of what most of the world considers to be a ruthless dictator who now has nuclear arms and whose attitude towards the US is not in the least bit friendly? Would you not consider the possible repercussions? The hacking of Sony Pictures is the least that could be expected. But now Sony lets it go on the internet where the whole world can watch it - and now a lot of sites are showing it free.
You can watch this picture at face value and enjoy the entertainment - it is funny. But the production, and now free distribution of the movie conveys a very serious message to North Korea - the Western World will not be intimidated by ruthless dictators and totalitarian regimes - Freedom of speech and the Constitution of the United States still stands and no threatening dictatorship will censor or influence it.
Now the serious part. We all know the movie making business is about making money, but ask yourself after it is over would you spend a lot of money to make a film making fun of what most of the world considers to be a ruthless dictator who now has nuclear arms and whose attitude towards the US is not in the least bit friendly? Would you not consider the possible repercussions? The hacking of Sony Pictures is the least that could be expected. But now Sony lets it go on the internet where the whole world can watch it - and now a lot of sites are showing it free.
You can watch this picture at face value and enjoy the entertainment - it is funny. But the production, and now free distribution of the movie conveys a very serious message to North Korea - the Western World will not be intimidated by ruthless dictators and totalitarian regimes - Freedom of speech and the Constitution of the United States still stands and no threatening dictatorship will censor or influence it.