Anchorman Crosses the Line Between Stupid and Plain Pathetic

Rating: 5/10 (3 February 2005)

Plot: 0/25: Plot? What kind of movie do you think you're watching? This movie has no plot! I remember hearing something about the news, but PLOT! Peh! OK, if you want a plot, fine.
Ron Burgundy (Ferrel) is a big shot anchor for a San Diego news station. He and his news crew, consisting of womanizer Brian Fantana (Rudd), cowboy Champ Kind (Koechner) and retarded Brick Tamland (Carell), are the top shits of San Diego, having a rivalry with #2 news crew, led by Wes Mantooth (Vaughn). Their world gets shaken up when their boss Ed Harken (Willard) invites a woman, Veronica Corningstone (Applegate) to join the news crew.
It kinda just goes on from there. It's a stupid movie, there isn't anything to be surprised about here. It is as contrived as possible, it doesn't pretend to be anything different. This isn't a plot type movie, but it doesn't even string well. It's convoluted, filled with pointless scenes and makes Harold & Kumar look like an intelligent movie. At least Harold & Kumar was funny.
Comedy: 10/25: To say this movie isn't kinda funny is a lie. There are some funny bits, mostly due to just how random it is. Steve Carell is simply hilarious as Brick, almost being the saving grace to this movie. Unfortunately, just as many jokes fall flat and suffocate in a deep pile of vomit. When a comment about a whale's vagina is seen as a highlight, a movie has serious problems.
Acting: 5/25: Will Ferrel (Elf) is known for putting himself out there and making an ass out of himself. That he does with expertise here. But ponder for a second, was that really that tough? Any person off the street can do that, providing they have four intact limbs. Ferrel, overall, is painful here. Applegate sucks, but at least she isn't the main cause this one drowns, unlike when she destroyed Surviving Christmas. Carell (Bruce Almighty) is great here, once again adding at least a couple points to the bank for this waste of time. And then there's the cameos. Tim Robbins, Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Luke Wilson, Vince Vaugh, etc, etc. Why the hell would they waste their time with this? Especially Robbins, fresh off an Oscar win? They must owe a favour or something.
Entertainment: 2/25: If you are wasted out of your mind, this movie is perfect for you. Just do yourself a favour and do not see Anchorman sober. If you do, you are left with something that will make you sit down and ponder "Why am I watching this?"
Total: 17%: OK, I must be dead or something. Its 2005, I didn't think I'd be seeing anymore crappy 2004 movies. But no, this one crept up on me and took dump on my face with tired jokes and cameos that just don't fit. This one crosses the line between stupid and plain pathetic.