Was Sony right to cancel the release of ‘The Interview’?

Sony Pictures canceled its release of “The Interview,” a satirical motion picture in which North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is ordered to be assassinated by Americans, because hackers threatened terrorist attacks in the theaters where the movie was being shown. President Obama as well as other political leaders and members of the Hollywood community roundly criticized Sony’s decision. More than a week after the film was canceled, Sony agreed to release the movie online, and some distributors agreed to show the movie on a limited basis.

Was Sony wrong to cancel the Dec. 25 release of “The Interview”?

I’m delighted to learn that Sony will release “The Interview” to Arthouse Convergence independent theaters. I certainly hope other theaters will follow that lead and also support our right to freedom of expression.

While I understand Sony’s concern for additional cyber attacks and the reluctance of the large movie theater corporations to show the film, it emphasizes how vulnerable we are to the whims of other nations willing to do harm.

I suggest that America’s right to freedom of expression be displayed by making the movie available for purchase through every retail outlet possible.

Just as Alamo’s smart marketing invites our will for patriotism through “freedom fries” and apple pie, Sony can package the DVD in red, white and blue packaging and mass distribute through drug stores, food markets, electronic stores, etc.

Price it at $4.99, affordable by all, and have a percentage of the purchase go to a nonprofit organization working with industry and government to develop tools to fight cyber attacks.

I believe with proper industry PR and social media, they will sell millions of these DVDs and Americans will exercise their freedoms as well. While not a large revenue generator, it will reduce Sony’s loss, provide good will and prove that Americans will not stand to be coerced.

— Maddie Lesnick, Arlington

I read some reviews by movie critics who’d actually seen The Interview before its release, and they were all pretty bad.

Maybe North Korea was just trying to warn us.

— Hugh W. Savage, Fort Worth

I think a little self censorship is not a bad thing.

The CEO of Sony was concerned about this movie but finally released it anyway. He should have realized that it would be insensitive and only make a bad situation worse.

What we do in our own country is our business, but when we offend others unnecessarily, we are crossing the line. All they had to do was change the ending of the movie and have the assassination attempt a bungled mess. That is no big deal, and it could have been funny. Movie-makers change endings in movies all the time.

Consider this: How would we feel if an unfriendly country put out a movie in which they assassinate our president? Reagan for instance. We would not respond the same way as North Korea, but nevertheless, we would consider it hostile and be offended and angry.

— Marcelle Borgers, Fort Worth

There is no rational explanation as to President Obama’s strangely worded rant in blasting Sony Entertainment other than to assume it is his attempt to remain relevant.

Did many of us initially fault Sony for their action?

It was a prudent business decision by a private company and probably a brilliant one, because when the film is eventually made available much of the world will watch it.

— Patrick Jenkins, Arlington

Under the circumstances, Sony Pictures Entertainment had no alternative but to cancel the showing of The Interview. From clips of this motion picture disseminated to all media outlets, it’s anything but satirical and can’t be justified under the umbrella of the right to freedom of expression.

Sony execs and the industry have an obligation to investors and the public and took their own executive actions by canceling this film. That shows they didn’t put profits before public safety.

— Sharon Ream, Fort Worth

This story was originally published December 26, 2014 at 6:23 PM with the headline "Was Sony right to cancel the release of ‘The Interview’?."