Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy
The Plot:
Set in 1970s San Diego, this is the story of local TV anchorman Ron Burgundy (Ferrell), God's gift to the ladies and the area's most respected reader of the teleprompter of the news fit to be known, who finds his position challenged by an ambitious female newscaster (Applegate) who, unlike Ron, actually knows something about journalism. (From Yahoo Movies)
My Thoughts: (Reviewed by K-Billy)
Anchorman is a true story only the names, places, and events have been changed. So reads the opening credits. Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell) is L.A.s most popular resident delivering the news to the entire city. Beloved Burgundy has his team comprised of Brian Fantana (Paul Rudd) a ladies man, Champ Kind (David Koechner) a slightly homosexual sports caster, and Brick Tamland (Steve Carell) whose name says it all, a weatherman with an I.Q. in the 40s. Together they deliver the news in an era of the 70s when women were not allowed in the newsroom. That is until Veronica Corningstone (Christina Appelgate) shows up as a new reporter for Channel 4. Ron and his team feel threatened by having a woman in the news room. However sparks fly between Mr. Burgundy and Ms. Corningstone, although Ron can hardly bear it when he learns that Veronica covered for him in the anchor position while he was preoccupied with a pet emergency. From then on out it’s an all out war between Ron and Veronica as to who will get the top spot. But Ron Burgundy can hardly compete with the new women’s movement and Veronica’s ever growing popularity.
Few films have lived up to my expectations in the same way as Anchorman has. With this film Will Ferrell has established himself as the funniest leading man in Hollywood. With such a spoof storyline it was virtually a can’t miss for Ferrell. The story itself is altogether ridiculous really with Burgundy being about as popular as god and the objectifying of women. Point taken when you realize that Ron’s idea of a pickup line is “I want to be on you.” The film is full of gender fueled jokes throughout such as Ron claiming that women have a brain a third the size of men, it’s science. So in some ways Anchorman is a little bit about women’s rights but in my own opinion I’d suspect that any of the story elements in the film are only there for Ferrell to unleash all sorts of gags and improvisations. Sometimes the humor misses but this is quite rarely. However when it connects, oh my god. There are moments in this film that are so funny I found myself doubling over in laughter with tears streaming from my eyes. When Veronica realizes that Burgundy has what she calls “a massive erection” and calls him out on it and he tries to pretend it’s because of the pleats in his pants and then tells everyone “Oh sure act like you’re not impressed” you will almost die from the hilarity. Moments in this film really are that funny. The ending may seem a little bit cheesy but I think it’s intentionally so. As I said before the improvisation really brings a freshness to this film considering that so many of today’s comedies seem so calculated. It’s not nearly as extreme as any of Christopher Guest’s films but you can definitely tell that they went crazy once the cameras began to role.
The movie probably wouldn’t have been half as funny if it weren’t for it’s star. Will Ferrell really has a gift in his ability to launch himself headfirst into the characters he has created and really become that which we see on the screen. He is Ron Burgundy and is the only man who could’ve pulled off such a ridiculous character. Every movie I see him in I enjoy him more and more wondering how he’s able to do it. He has everything working for him. Hell even his voice is funny. Some of the show stealers as well are Paul Rudd who is hilarious as the womanizing Brian Fantana. And who could forget the performance from Steve Carell of the Daily Show. His dimwitted Brick Tamland spouts off the most random hilarious lines ever by a character in a film. Christina Appelgate does a fine job but somewhat suffers from having to be the one straight laced character who’s role it is to be rational. And of course Fred Willard makes the most out of his few scenes which manifest in the form of his crisis with his teenage children in high school. Such as when he gets off the phone and tells Veronica, “My son just took something called acid and is now firing arrows into a crowd from a bow, kids right?” Keep your eye out for numerous cameos. I won’t ruin them for you by telling their names but many of them show up as rival newscasters in an all out brawl between all the channels which is a sequence so ridiculous you can’t help but laugh. This is a scene where the inner psycho in Brick really gets to shine.
Altogether
I absolutely love this film. Surprisingly there were many sequences in the
numerous previews I’ve seen that weren’t in the film. Sequences
that looked absolutely hilarious, however there’s no point in quibbling
over them for what’s in the film more then makes up for anything left
on the cutting room floor. Will Ferrell makes an excellent comedy that has
more laugh out loud moments then anything I’ve seen in quite a while.
Now as I mentioned before there are a few and I mean very few parts that don’t
really connect but they are vastly overshadowed by those that do. And with
a kickass 70s soundtrack how could you go wrong. Anchorman proves to be the
funniest film this year firmly planting Will Ferrell as Hollywood’s
funniest leading man. And on top of that the supporting performances are equally
impressive. If you’ve been slightly put off by the serious lack of comedy
so far this year do not fret for Anchorman is the funniest film I’ve
seen in years...K-Billy
Starring:
Will Ferrell, Christina Applegate, Steve Carell, Kevin Corrigan, Chuck D
Directed by: Adam McKay
Rated PG-13