Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy Review

 

        To wrap up my months long look into comedy, let’s look at two films that defined the 2000s. It’s no surprise that I included a Will Ferrell comedy. He got his start in Saturday Night Live, just like most stars who I’ve spotlighted with their films within the month. Some people consider his first real hit is Elf, who I talked about if you want to check out what I think, be my guest. I will maintain that Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy put him on the pedestal as Hollywood’s main funny guy. 

1. The Legend Himself

        Obviously Will Ferrell steals the show as the mustachioed news anchor Ron Burgundy. We follow him as well as his co-anchors: Champ, Brian, and the loveable dimwitted Brick, anchor the news for San Diego. When the network hire a new talent Veronica, Ron and the others feel emasculated and threatened, but soon Burgundy starts to fall for her. 

        What I like about the movie is that it feels that it’s supposed to mock the idea of masculinity in a male dominated space. We have these four guys who are probably the personification of male masculinity, although Brick is an enigma. Regardless, we see just how they are either in the studio or when they hang out with Ron. Which explains why Burgundy is the anchor that is most adored throughout San Diego. 

        More so that Ron changes as the movie progresses. As I mentioned earlier, he starts to have feelings for Veronica. Which alienates his co-anchors since they now see him as a pansy than a burly guy that they admire. I think it’s intentional since we see someone slowly change to a humble person. Now, they do fight when Ron has his job taken away. You can interpret it as his pride being taken since he’s second fiddle. 

        Regardless, his character is hilarious with anything he says. He’s very verbose with what he says, sometimes he’ll utter something that is straight from a comic book. With everything being hilarious and played straight, it seemed fitting that both the director and Ferrell wrote the screenplay. Like there’s never a dull moment in the movie where the jokes don’t land or there’s a moment of awkward silence. 

2. Adam McKay

        For a debut film, McKay did a spectacular job given the comedic talent that he had. There’s never a dull moment or character who’s wasted for a busted punchline. The thing that is commendable is how just how unique the comedy is. I think McKay is a combination of Mel Brooks and the Z.A.Z. trio, it’s a bit much since those entities defined their respective decades with laughs. 

        Here though, McKay has everything played straight with moments of absolute absurdity. For example, when Ron and Veronica start to make out. We see them both in a cartoon fantasy realm with implications of them doing exactly of what you think they’re doing. Another favorite is when the Channel 5 team has a stand-off with the other channels. It’s just laughable when we see the other anchors get their arm chopped off, immolated, and stabbed by a trident.

        And that’s the brilliant thing in the movie, there’s no explanation as to the how and why the confrontation escalates to a ridiculous scale. Sure, it gets mentioned in the immediate scene but the film chugs along like nothing happens. That’s when you know that the film is in good hands with a director who understands comedy and having an actor really nailing the hilarious bits. 

3. Overall 

        This movie is fun. Both Ferrell and McKay continued their team up with three more hilarious films. Anchorman is one of the best comedy films of the 2000s.