“Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy” (DreamWorks Pictures)
Will Ferrell is a very funny and talented actor. He has proven this in movies like “Old School” and “Elf.” Still in his new movie “Anchorman” he is more annoying than comedic. Ferrell gives an over the top performance, which is what is required, but the film is a one joke movie and the joke gets old before the movie is over.
The film is set in the 70’s when male anchors ruled the newsrooms of America. None was more popular than Ron Burgundy (Ferrell), the anchor of the news in San Diego. He and his buddies and co-workers, Brian Fantana (Paul Rudd), Brick Tamland (Steve Carell), and Champ Kind (David Koechner) ruled the city with their hard hitting newscast.
Their world is threatened with the appearance of Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate). She wants to be a part of their world, and for this reason they want no part of her. But then Ron falls for her and suddenly things get very complicated.
Ferrell plays Burgundy as an affected, pretentious boob who can hardly pronounce his name, much less the news. This provides him with some funny moments but the overall characterization is grating and annoying. Maybe to have him in a supporting role would have been better. Having this character as the “star” of the entire movie is too much of a so-so thing.
Applegate is a very talented comic too. Plus she looks great in this film. But even she gets tiring after a while. There aren’t too many facets shown of any of these characters and this limits how appealing they are to the audience.
Rudd, Carell and Koechner’s characters provide a Greek chorus for Burgundy’s antics. Rudd is especially enjoyable in a scene where he slathers on some woman attracting cologne that makes him reek to high heaven. But that is only one laugh-getter in a movie that seems to go on forever.
Even the old reliable Fred Willard can’t get many laughs in his role as the station manager. He seems to be trying too hard in every scene. Plus we have seen him play this role or a version of it in too many movies that preceded this one.
The best parts of the movie are the scenes that feature the cameos by such names as Jack Black, Vince Vaughn, Luke Wilson, Ben Stiller and Tim Robbins. It is a surprise when they appear on screen and they are funny when they do. But once they are through the movie goes back to its stale jokes and sluggish pace
The film is rated PG-13 for profanity and sexual situations.
“Anchorman” is not Will Ferrell’s finest hour. It is a movie that has some bright spots but not enough. Only his most devoted fans will be able to sit through this tedious film without checking their watches.
Will Ferrell doesn’t completely undermine his talent in “Anchorman” but he does besmirch it a bit.
I scored “Anchorman” a static filled 4 out of 10.
