There's funny, there's funny-funny, and then there's dumb-funny

Rating: 9/10 (3 September 2006)

"That was something else." Those were the words I uttered as I left the theater. Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby was, indeed a strange, and unique film. It's the story of a none too bright man from the state of North Carolina and his passion for going really, really fast. His struggle against a rival from Froggyville (also known as France) and his no so real battle with a paraplegic condition. There's heartbreak, there's excitement, and last but not least COUGARS! The movie starts out with the birth a boy...a very special boy whose story would be told for generations on end...little baby Jesus. Wait, no...sorry. Got ahead of myself. No, it was the birth of little Bobby Ricky who was born in the back seat of a Camero (?). Thus, our story can continue. We see Mr. Bobby's childhood progress during the first few scenes/ whether it be stealing his mom's car or having his deadbeat dad show up for career day high as a kite in March in Chicago. It is during the situation with his father that his life motto is created: "If you're not first, you're last". That motto would carry him to one of the greatest career's in the history of stock car racing history; but, as they say "The bigger they are, the harder they fall" While his magical, but bizarre career was going wonderfully (He would always finish first and his best friend Cal Naughton, Jr. who was played by the Academy Award Nominated John C. Reily) The film's antagonist enters. A dastardly Frenchman named Jean Girrard, one of France's top formula one racers, comes to America to challenge Ricky Bobby (and, in the process of challenging him, breaks his arm like a twig). Though with a broken arm, Bobby accepts the challenge and they're both off to the races (literally). The races changes both of their lives drastically. For Girrard, he becomes a superstar for Bobby...well, he crashes and goes into obscurity. He loses his wife, his home, his best friend, and the little bit of sanity he had left. The only one who can save him is his deadbeat father Reese. Though you probably wouldn't believe it by my review, Ricky Bobby is a hilarious film. I suggest it to anyone with a sense of humor and a love for the random/stupid.