After Old School, Elf and Anchorman, Will Ferrell was in pole position, the head of the comedy Frat Pack, the number one comedian on the track. Then he hit the skids, starring in a trilogy of duds – Kicking and Screaming, Bewitched and The Producers – that only a dedicated fan would confess to enjoying. Can Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby jump start his career again?
You bet your tailpipe it can, with go-faster stripes on! (and that's the end of the car/racing references I promise). Talladega finds Ferrell back on top form. He stars as Ricky Bobby, number one NASCAR driver and all-American icon. Consistently top of the podium, he is ably assisted by racing partner and life-long best bud Cal Naughton Jr. (John C. Reilly), the humble half of the "Shake 'n Bake" team. But when his place as numéro un is threatened by flamboyant French Formula One driver Jean Girard (Sacha Baron Cohen), Ricky's ability, drive and dedication are put to the ultimate test.
The largely improvised Anchorman stands as a career pinnacle for Ferrell thus far, so it comes as no surprise that this return to form sees him re-teaming with its co-writer and director Adam McKay.
Not to everyone's taste, Anchorman was more a feature-length sketch show, with scenes loosely strung together, than a plotted movie. Talladega is far more cohesive, with a definitive narrative and seamless jokes, whilst yet retaining that instant, spur-of-the-moment comedy feel so inherent–and important–in most of Ferrell's work.
As a performer Ferrell is always best when he has been able to form his (dumb) character from scratch, or when he is allowed the freedom to improvise around the existing script. It brings out not only the best in him, but also his co-stars. Apparent in Anchorman, it is even more so here, Ferrell's generous performance–playing George 'Dubya' Bush sound-alike Ricky straighter than you would imagine–really letting the supporting drivers (sorry!) shine through.
Such supporting players are Sacha Baron Cohen (best known as Ali G) as French villain Jean Girard, his accent positively ridiculous but in all the right ways; John C. Reilly ( Magnolia/Boogie Nights ), an undiscovered comedy gem, his dim-witted best friend a performance of genius proportions; and Gary Cole ( Office Space/Dodgeball ), the champion of cameo-ing comedy, coming up trumps again.
Laugh-out loud for its majority, Talladega very rarely suffers from jokes falling flat, which is all the more impressive considering the sheer volume of gags and the improvisational nature of them.
In fact, the only real criticism of the movie can be attributed to quite the opposite reaction. At points, Talladega is truly so funny – funny like your sides and face hurt from so much laughter – that you may miss some choice lines of dialogue due to the raucous amusement of the audience.
"If you ain't first, you're last" is the mantra that drives Ricky Bobby to success. It's fitting then that Talladega Nights is a winning comedy. While not quite as funny as Anchorman, it is still easily the best comedy seen in cinemas for the last couple of years. It always had a lot to live up to; Anchorman is revered at cult status. And rightly so, it is a one-of-a-kind, five-star comedy experience. So, second on the podium it is for Talladega, but a return to the top for funny-man Ferrell; the number one comedian on the planet.
Feeds