Thursday, December 14, 2006

Movie review - "Anchorman: the Ron Burgundy Story" (2004) ***1/2

Will Ferrell and friends take on 70s newsreading, with a serious subtext (the arrival of a female newsreader) beautifully integrated. Ferrell is in fine form and goes off on some wonderful tangents when he talks - every line seems fresh and new (I particularly liked his exclamations). The support actors are very fine as well, with a stand out turn from Steve Carrell and the dog.

My favourite moment is the newsreader rumble, a moment of pure comic genius, complete with severed arms and assassinations with tridents (I'm from Brisbane, and I couldn't help imagine Bruce Paige doing it with Frank Warrick and company). The cameos are enjoyable, including Jack Black, Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughan, Tim Robbins and Luke Wilson (remember when he was famous enough to make cameos?). Occasionally it goes a bit overboard and gets too mean.

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