The Ferrell crew do Nascar

Rating: 7/10 (11 August 2006)

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
It seems safe to assume that Talladega Nights was one of the most anticipated films of the year, from all who enjoyed 2004's Anchorman, and wanted more of the same screwball brand of ridiculously random improv comedy. Well director Adam McKay and star Will Ferrell and co. have all done their utmost to recreate the winning formula which made Anchorman such a hit two years back, and for the most part succeeded. There is, however, a noticeable change in tone, with despite the fact it was the insanely obscure improving scenes which proved such a hit with audiences, such scenes, which were basically the focus of Anchorman are seldom seen in Talladega Nights. There is much more of an emphasis on racecar driving, and hair raising crashes, as if McKay had the same sort of ideas as the last time, but a bigger budget to bring them to life, which was likely the case.
That being said, if so, said budget was put to use well, as the driving scenes are exhilarating and tense. But at the same time, it's almost sad, because it feels like the charm and spirit of Anchorman's low budget hilarity has been lost - as if McKay put too much emphasis on the driving and not enough on giving us the back and forth improvisation scenes that proved such a hit. There are several, to be sure, but many feel kinda staged, as if trying to imitate the Anchorman style, such as the dinner scene where Ferrell prays to "Dear Lord Baby Jesus" which starts out hilarious, but goes on far too long. In fact, the bloopers and outtakes played over the end credits provide some of the most memorable laughs in the movie, and it's a shame they couldn't have been better incorporated into the film. There's also the whole "redemption" storyline, where Ricky Bobby is forced to learn the errors of his ways, correct his spoiled persona and learn the true meaning of winning, which I suppose mirrors the storyline of Anchorman, but comes across as cheesier and more patronising this time round, and given the somewhat harsh comedic tone, it would be almost better to see an unexpected unhappy ending, just for a bit of variety.
Once again, Will Ferrell is given free reign to basically do what he does best, and he is truly hilarious once again, bringing life and punch to the character of Ricky Bobby, the incredibly spoiled racecar driver... with two first names. But as was the case with Anchorman, the supporting characters threaten to steal the show away from what was meant to be Ferrell's moment to shine - Gary Cole is nothing less than flat out hilarious as Ricky Bobby's disgusting loser of a dad, and if there was a single standout to be picked from the hilarious supporting cast, Ali G. star Sacha Baron Cohen would be it with his side-splitting turn as an eccentric and very gay french racecar driver, Jean Girard. John C. Reilly also raises many a laugh as Cal Naughton Jr., Ricky Bobby's faithful best friend and co-driver, who always places second to Ricky Bobby's inevitable first.
But there are also several superbly talented cast members who are not given nearly enough to do with the material provided, in particular the criminally underused Amy Adams, who is utterly adorable in her far too short role as Ricky Bobby's manager. The always reliable Michael Clarke Duncan also gives a strong performance, but once again, audiences wish that he'd been given a slightly bigger part, or at least more comedic moments (such as a blooper over the end credits where he sings!) Ferrell's Anchorman co-star David Koechner also turns up in a tiny appearance, though it's hard to see why, as he is given absolutely nothing of note to do, which is sad for all those expecting another performance of Champ like calibre. While the more primary cast members are more than sufficient in terms of providing laughs, it's just a shame these incredibly talented supporting players were given so little to do.
All in all, The Ballad of Ricky Bobby is most certainly worth viewing, especially for fans of Will Ferrell, or his last collaboration with director Adam McKay, but unfortunately enough, Talladega Nights doesn't quite live up to Anchorman in terms of memorability and quotable lines. (though the "Help me Jesus! Help me Jewish Guy! Help me Tom Cruise! Tom Cruise, use your witchcraft to get the fire off me!!!" which headlined all the trailers is still just as laugh out loud funny when hearing it in the film, fear not) But Ferrell, and supporting cast such as Reilly, Cohen and Cole are more than capable of providing a hefty enough share of laughs, and for all racing fans, the Nascar scenes are exciting and tense. Ricky Bobby may prove just the thing for a night of summer fun, but there is an overall feeling of somewhat wasted potential, as if it could have been so much better than the very entertaining film it already is.
-7/10