FanUnity B(uzz)log

I have come to manage my expectations for movies that star Will Ferrell.  I think he's hilarious, but films that feature him as the main star tend to have some hilariously funny scenes yet as a whole are very uneven.  "Talladega Nights" continues that trend.

"Talladega Nights" has the full title of "Talladega Nights: The Ballad Of Ricky Bobby", which has a strikingly similar cadance to "Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgandy."  "Talladega Nights" isn't quite as fun as "Anchorman."  The characters aren't as charming, there aren't as many quotable lines and the premise isn't quite as clever.

"Talladega Nights" is the life story of Ricky Bobby (Ferrell), a NASCAR pit crew member raised on speed, who one day fills in for his team's driver and wows everyone with his amazing racing skills.  Riding side by side with his childhood amigo Cal Naughton, Jr. (John C. Reilly), Ricky Bobby ends up with it all.  A "smoking hot" (but sinister and manipulative) wife, Carley (Leslie Bibb), a huge mansion and $22.1 million worth of winnings.  With help from Cal's protective driving, Ricky wins race after race.  Then one day Formula One's top driver, the Frenchman Jean Girard (Sacha Baron Cohen) decides to challenge himself by moving to NASCAR and taking on the one man he sees as a possible rival to his own greatness, Ricky Bobby.

After a terrible car accident leaves him mentally scarred, Ricky's life begins to unravel.  Carley takes his money, divorces him and seduces Cal, ruining his life in one shot.  Left with nothing, Ricky starts his way back to the top with the help from an unlikely source, his deadbeat dad, Reese Bobby (Gary Cole).

There are some classic scenes in the film, particularly surrounding Ricky's stay in the hospital post-accident and his re-training under Reese.  Watch out for "Mike Honcho" as well as the cougar.  Great stuff.

"Talladega Nights" isn't a classic and isn't even as good as "Anchorman", but its not a total stinker either (like "Bewitched" or "Kicking & Screaming").  There's some funny stuff, and its worth seeing if you enjoy Ferrell's on-screen antics.  In a down year for comedies, its one of the better options around.

3/5 Stars.