"Im Ron Burgundy. Go f*** yourself San Diego"

Rating: 9/10 (28 April 2010)

Let me start by saying that I am not Will Ferrells biggest fan. I have enjoyed many of his films but, like Adam Sandler and Jim Carrey before him, it always feels like he is playing the same character over and over. The problem that I have with him is that this particular character was perfected in Anchorman - if he ever plays a better role than Ron Burgundy I will be (pleasantly) surprised.
Lets not beat around the bush. This is Ferrells film. He wrote and starred and it is clear that it plays to his strengths as a comedian. There is not a scene he is in where he isn't perfect. He will not be winning any best actor awards for these types of performance and rightly so but for the roles he plays, his performance as Ron Burgundy is second to none.
This film is so, so funny. From start to finish the humour comes thick and fast. There are some really off the wall moments (the gang fight springs instantly to mind) and some stupidly childish moments (Sex Panther anyone?!) and these sit along some great one liners (the teleprompter scene to which the subject refers and the reaction of Ron to it are priceless) and set pieces. There is no way that I can even start to bookmark the comedy in the film. It is a potent mixture that comes together effectively to create a wild ride that ensures you are never bored. It is as far from high brow as you can get but at the same time sufficiently above dick and fart jokes as to let it stand out from the crowd.
Ferrell is supported by a stellar cast, a who's who of film comedians in the 2000's. Paul Rudd and Steve Carrell (who has limited focus but steals the scenes he is in) are the most obvious but Jack Black, Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughan and Luke Wilson pop up to add to the fun. They are clearly enjoying themselves and their performances bar none are brilliant.
I cannot give high enough praise to Anchorman. It is never going to win Oscars but as a pure, balls out, hilarious film you are going to struggle to find anything better. The highest praise that I can give is that I have now watched Anchorman at least 5 times now and am not even close to tiring of it.