The Cinematic Adventures of the Vault Master: Episode II - Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy

After a pretty harsh night at work (no I don't want to talk about it), I decided that I needed some good comedy to uplift my downtrodden spirit. So the movie of choice for the night ended up being "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy." Now, I have a confession to make b-moviephiles... I think Will Ferrell is funny. Even at his worst I can still get a chuckle out of the guy. In "Anchorman," Will plays the title character. Ron Burgundy is the lead anchor of the top news station in Sand Diego, CA. He's a total male chauvinist, loves scotch, and his little dog Baxter too. Ron and his insanely strange news crew are the veritable kings of the hill until a female upstart named Veronica Conrningstone (played by Christina Applegate) is hired at the news station.

Veronica has aspirations to become a network news anchor and has to go through many trials and tribulations with her mostly all male staff. Eventually, due to a dog-punting incident (a hilarious scene featuring a cameo by Jack Black), Ron's worst nightmare comes true and Veronica ends up on the air, only to become an overnight sensation. Though Ron and his idiotic friends attempt to make her look bad, Veronica eventually overcomes her tormentors and destroys Ron Burgundy's career after a hilarious prank. After hitting rock bottom, Ron manages to make a comeback, save his former girlfriend from some cranky Kodiak bears, and achieve his life goal of becoming a network anchor. (Hooray for happy Hollywood endings.)

Well this is one of my favorite goofy comedies and Will Ferrell is at his best here. But its not Will that makes this movie so great; its his gang of misfit reporters that truly makes this movie worthwhile. Steve Carrell is gutbustingly funny as Brick, the station's weatherman. Brick is mentally retarded and has some of the best lines in the film and is guaranteed to bring a smile to even the most jaded "Anchorman" viewer. (LOUD NOISES!) Then there's Paul Rudd ("40 Year Old Virgin") the "ladies man," whose secret stash of colognes includes a nasty concoction called "Sex Panther." (To quote a character in the film: "It smells like Bigfoot's dick!") The final member of the team is Champ, played by David Koechner, a sportscaster that has an unhealthy (and possibly homosexual) attachment to his friend Ron. Will Ferrell may be the lead here gang, but its his three cohorts that really make this movie worth watching.

So its obvious that enjoyed this movie and really I don't have much else to say about it, other than give it a shot. If you're not a big Will Ferrell fan (like my father), then don't fret too much because Steve Carell's antics and dialogue alone should keep you watching. This is one crazy and fun comedy and I highly recommend it. I'm more than happy to give "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy" ...... FOUR OUT OF FIVE 'RADS!'


Here are some other comedies that you may want to check out:
The 40-Year Old Virgin (2005)
Old School (2003)
Blades of Glory (2007)
Knocked Up (2007)
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006)
Superbad (2007)


Will Ferrell trivia:
Will was chosen over future co-star Steve Carell in 1995 to join SNL. He became the highest paid actor on the show in 2001. Producers were desperate to keep him, resulting in a salary of over $350,000.

Will Ferrell studied at USC in the hopes of becoming a sports broadcaster. He graduated and interned at NBC Sports, but then drew laughs after ad-libbing a joke on-air during one of his broadcasting courses and switched to comedy.

He was ranked #17 on Entertainment Weekly's 'The 50 Smartest People in Hollywood.'

His real name is John William Ferrell; his nickname is Wilf.

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Related Youtube Content:
Here is a fan-made montage of "greatest hits" from "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy!"


It feels good to be writing about movies again. Hopefully, I can keep the momentum going! Thanks for reading; keep fighting the good fight cinema fans!