A character-driven movie!

Rating: 7/10 (18 August 2006)

Will Ferrell has always managed to be one of the funniest men alive. Much like his contemporary, Jack Black, Ferrell can transform himself into a wide array of characters and always manage to bring hoards of laughs in the process. This skill he undoubtedly honed back in his SNL days, but it has been Ferrell's movie career that has truly made him one of the most admired comedians today. Whether its a drunken middle-aged frat boy, a swinging, jazz flute enthusiast anchorman, or a womanizing funeral crasher, Will Ferrell always delivers! In "Talladega Nights," the comedian continues this trend and propels his stardom further into (insert clever noun here) than ever before.
Knowing that this is movie comes about courtesy of essentially the same group of people that gave us "Anchorman," should get anyone with a sense of humor excited about this movie. Like that film, "Talladega Nights" puts Ferrell in the role of a character so dumb, its likely impossible to out-dumb him. Ricky Bobby is a man who, from his infancy, wants to "go fast." In a chance occurrence, he gets his opportunity one day at a NASCAR race when, as a member of a pit crew, he is called upon to finish the race for a slothful driver. A few years, and a 2-minute montage, later, Ricky Bobby is the #1 driver in all of NASCAR, complete with a hot wife, two wise-cracking children, a mansion, and a couple million dollars to spare. However, at the height of his career, a new French teammate, played by Sacha Baron Cohen, threatens to steal his glory and dethrone him as king of NASCAR.
Sure, the plot may come across as a bit bland (and, in all honesty, typical), but if anyone can make this work its Ferrell. Add in the brilliant comedic performances of John C. Reilly and Michael Clarke Duncan, and "Talladega Nights" will far surpass any expectations of mediocrity that you may have. In fact, there's not a whole lot not to love about this movie. Ferrell practically makes every scene he's in worth watching, and his character's often-dry quips will keep you chuckling consistently. The only thing that hurts this movie is Cohen's performance of a gay, French, Formula 1-turned-NASCAR driver. For once, he fails in portraying a foreign stereotype, largely because his portrayal of the character is so utterly obnoxious that you'll be begging for him to get off the screen. Even scenes in which he and Ferrell exchange humorous jabs fail, largely because of Cohen's presence. It is a potentially funny role, but Cohen makes it absolutely unbearable.
In the end, "Talladega Nights" succeeds not because of the plot, but the comedic performances of the majority of the cast, who, except Cohen, perfectly play their roles. Like most Will Ferrell movies, there is enough comedic material here to warrant repeat-views, and a DVD purchase. Hell, any movie that can reference "Manimal" and mention butt cheek-spreading can't be all that bad can it?
The answer is "no."
Directing: 4 out of 5 Stars Acting: 4 out of 5 Stars Writing: 5 out of 5 Stars Overall: 4 out of 5 Stars