Definitely Funny, Definitely Disappointing

Rating: 6/10 (13 August 2006)

OK, so Will Ferrell is funny. I loved Anchorman. But this movie does not have the same magic. Talladega Nights is missing something. The improv was funny but only so because you know it's not written script (you can definitely tell when it's improv and when it's not). If you like Will Ferrell you will want to see this movie, and like me you'll probably be a bit disappointed.
The problem is that there were just SO many parts that were just begging for a laugh but were simply not funny. These long, drawn out comedic pauses where people are supposed to be laughing end up being met with an uncomfortable silence in the theater. These scenes shadowed the actually funny parts of the movie. The whole movie just seemed to be a disjointed bundle of some funny, some bad, some awkward, and some just completely unnecessary scenes. Also, some of the script in itself was just so bad(namely Ricky Bobby's sons' lines) that even some of the well-known actors(Molly Shannon and Michael Clarke Duncan) didn't know how to make it funny, and it showed. Put all that together and you get a somewhat funny but very forgettable movie. As a matter of fact, the outtakes at the end seemed to be the funniest part.
All that aside, I laughed many times, and so will you. It's also got an awesome soundtrack. This movie is strictly for the Will Ferrell and the NASCAR fans. For someone who enjoys neither, you will "wanna go fast" away from this movie.