Sound premise; humor level 5th-7th grade

Rating: 6/10 (1 August 2004)

I enjoyed Will Ferrill's "Elf" a little more than "Anchorman."
The story is based on a very sound premise: the difficulty in accepting cultural change, specifically women becoming broadcast anchors, giving the news, being primary hosts. I hate to admit that when I first heard a female voice (Susan Stanburg) doing the anchor job on NPR (National Public Radio), it was shocking, unsettling, too foreign to me. But I adapted fairly quickly and appreciated her talent and that paved the way for more easily accepting women in many anchor or special expert positions. Now, all I can do is shake my head in wonder at why that was such an initial problem for me.

So the story is based on a very significant cultural change our country has gone through and if it was difficult for me, it must have been FAR more difficult for males in the broadcasting industry whose careers were threatened. (I'm sure that men and women have gone/are going through similar transitions in many professions -- law, medicine, teaching, clergy, police, the military, etc. -- with more still yet to come.)

"Anchorman" parodies this with what is, in essence a series of skits. To me, the level of humor seemed around the 5th - 7th grade level, quite far from what could be characterized as dry or sophisticated.

I think seeing the film is worthwhile to reinforce memories of that significant cultural change. Each of us will find some gags that are funny and some too juvenile.