Excited fans flocked to YouTube on Christmas Eve to rent  The Interview after Sony posted the film online to thwart hackers' attempts to prevent its release. The controversial comedy, which depicts an assassination attempt on the North Korean leader, was available to rent or purchase on several websites in the U.S, with viewers forking out a minimum of $6 to watch it from start to finish. Within hours it had been viewed more than 10,000 times, with viewers sharing their reviews on social media afterwards. Overnight other fans visited cinemas to view the film in person, with some donning Christmas outfits for the occasion.
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Sony released the controversial film on YouTube and Google Play in U.S.
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Within hours elated fans took to social media to give their verdicts
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More than 10,000 people gave the comedy a 'thumbs up' online
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Comes after hackers attempted to halt the film's cinema release
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President Obama praised Sony for decision to release the film
Scores of cinemas in @placeholder will still show the film, with many Christmas Day showings already sold-out.