Hi, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab...
Lucky bastard. I want to see this. I want to see it now. At least he wrote an in-depth look at the film without ruining it all. Check this out...
Hey Harry. Ford here.
Got back from Glendale tonight after seeing (the first ever screening) of Anchorman. First off, what I love about these screenings now (this week was like the trifecta-I saw Taking Lives, Miracle, and Anchorman at screenings this week) is that they no longer ask you detailed questions about writing reviews or working in the entertainment industry. They just want to make sure that your cell phone can't record the movie on it's picture screen. Because if you try to, Moose and Rocco will remove you from the theater and beat you.
Anyway, Anchorman is pretty much everything that you want it to be. Ferrell has set a new standard with off the wall comedy that really is the measuring stick for today. This isn't to say that the film doesn't have problems. It does, and I will mention them later. But even with these problems, the movie is still excellent, containing scenes that will have you literally howling out loud with laughter. Ferrell today is what Eddie Murphy was in the mid-80's, or Chevy Chase in the early 80's. Just comedy gold. These reigns never seem to last more than about three or four years, but I'm going to surf the wave with Ferrell while I can. Old School and Elf (which I also reviewed) were great, and this is more of the same.
The story goes like this. It's the late 70's, and Ron Bergundy (Ferrell) is the hottest anchorman in San Diego. He and his team of newsreporters are the hottest guys in town. Men and children want to be them, and women want to do them. Then Kelly Bundy shows up, and becomes the hot new chick reporter for the paper. First, she struggles. She has to think of her career and reject the advances of all of the men toward her. Then she gives in to Burgundy after a hilarious scene involving a flute, and later finally gets her break as an anchor while Burgundy is detained. Then the battle of the sexes begins, leading to the end, where the two of them have to foil the mysterious bank robbing, revolution starting militia group known as The Alarm Clock.
I really hate to say this, but I can't in good faith to moviegoers everywhere give much more away without giving away classic scenes. Half of what makes this movie so great is surprise cameos done in incredible ways. Many of you already know that Vince Vaughn is in this film, and I will come back to that later, but there are more Old School alums that pop up. Matter of fact, think of Ferrell's career co-stars, and there is one scene, this Grand Poobah of comedy scene that is a who's who of Ferrell films. I can't give any of it away, but you will laugh your ass off.
The one thing I will say is that this film contains what is possibly the funniest fight scene of all time. Better than the girl scouts fighting in Airplane. This tops 'em all.
Paul Rudd is great, and I can't think of the guy's name from those commercials and the Daily Show, but he is AWESOME!! The scene of him holding a grenade is absolutely classic.
Let me get to the problems then so I can leave most of this movie somewhat undercover.
1) Not enough Vince Vaughn. His character and his news team are great, and should have had at least one more big scene, even if it were without Ron Burgundy in it. Someone needs to realize how funny Vaughn is, and exploit the hell out of it. I realize that his strength may be in being the supporting guy, but it doesn't mean that you can't beef that role up a bit.
2) The first 20 minutes of the movie, basically everything up until Kelly Bundy shows up was kind of slow. Kind of dumb obvious humor that makes you laugh, but doesn't make you hurt your stomach laughing. I'm sorry, but that is the caliber that Ferrell has set for his films, so medium laughs are no longer suffice. They need to be home runs.
3) Some scenes set up a joke, pull it off, and don't know when to stop. They simply run a joke into the ground. This happens a few times.
4) The movie is too long, but they said we were the first crowd to see it, so it should be trimmed by about 15 minutes I am hoping.
5) The anchor who is the Cowboy guy isn't funny, and they should try and cut as much of him out of the film as possible. It just doesn't really fit the film very well.
Zero breasts. Zero corpses. Knife Fu. Grenade Fu. Arm cut off by famous actor/director. Gratuitous plaid. Rock n Roll Detective Nomination for Kelly Bundy for saying "Are you trying to tell me there's a party in your pants, and I'm invited?" Afro Fu. Gratuitous sideburns. Moustache Fu. Bald man on fire. Horse Fu. One motorcycle crash induced by a burrito. Gratuitous history lesson to the origin of San Diego. West Side Story Fu. Gang fight. Whips. Brass knuckes. Ass slapping. Breast groping. Rock n Roll Detective Nomination for Paul Rudd for saying "Brick, get back over here." Gratuitous Chuck D. Flute Fu. Gratuitous Afternoon Delight. Polyesther Fu. Love Panda Fu.
Ferrell has gone 3 for 3. Can't wait to see what happens with his next project, whatever that may be. If you don't think this movie is funny, then you are a cold, cold human being.
Out.
I was there for that fight scene when it was shooting, and he’s right... it’s insanity. Can’t wait to see how this thing plays. Thanks, Ford.
"Moriarty" out.
