Watch CBS News

Controversial Film "The Interview" Debuts In South Florida

Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter

LAUDERHILL (CBSMiami) -- The controversial movie"The Interview" debuted in South Florida on Christmas night. The Swap Shop Drive-in in Lauderhill is one of only 300 theaters showing the movie nationwide.

There were mixed reviews from people who saw the comedy. Some loved it and others left before the movie was over but most people said they would have never come out to see the film if it wasn't for the controversy.

The comedy is about two American journalists plans to assassinate North Korean dictator Kim Jung Un and viewers said they got  the holiday laughs they wanted.

"Great comedy, great lines, great drama," said Bob Katz who showed up five hours early to be the first person in line to see the movie.

"I thought it was rather funny and silly at the same time," said Canadian tourist Hector Standing.

Kim Jung Un doesn't find the movie funny.  FBI investigators say he hired sophisticated hackers to break into Sony's systems to stop the movie release and they gave threats of  9-11 style terror attacks against theaters that showed the film. "The best thing the leader of North Korea can do is hire some comedians and help his people learn how to laugh," said Katz.

The terror threats caused Sony to cancel the movie release.

Then came the public backlash, even President Obama criticized the decision.

This week Sony back tracked and allowed a limited release.

Like the movie or not, many of the people who showed up came to stand in defiance of a dictator.

"Them saying no you can't see this movie wasn't going to stop us. It feels really good to be an American right now," said Gregory Flores.

RELATED CONTENT:

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.