Surprised at the Low Rating

Rating: 8/10 (3 January 2006)

I thought "Anchorman" was hilarious, so I was surprised at the low rating it received here. Well written, well acted, and well directed, this is a very funny adult comedy with some classic scenes and lines. I will not soon forget the "West Side Story" rumble between five rival news teams, that includes a man on fire and another man being speared with a trident. Or the verbal abuse Will Ferrell and Christina Applegate throw back and forth at each other while the credits for their news show are rolling ("I'm proud of my pubic mane" is one of my favorite lines, which Ferrell says in response to Applegate telling him he has too much pubic hair). Ferrell of course is funny, and Applegate makes a good straight man (or woman). Steve Carell and Paul Rudd are also terrific as well. And I had a blast with the impressive list of cameos, my favorite being Tim Robbins as the lead anchor at the local public television station.
This movie really satisfies the need for good comedy that you don't have to think very much about, but that still manages to be more clever than usual and doesn't rely on bathroom humour for all of its laughs. Watch and have a great time.
Grade: A-