Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (DVD, 2004, Extended Edition Widescreen)

Sometimes the key to satire is to stay fairly close to the source. "Anchorman," like "This Is Spinal Tap," works best when it's only a degree or two removed from the excesses of the real thing. When the news director goes ape over stories about cute animals at the zoo, when the promos make the news "team" look like a happy family, the movie is right on target. But when rival local news teams engage in what looks like a free-for-all from a Roman arena, it doesn't work. Most of the time, though, "Anchorman" works, and a lot of the time it's very funny.

The movie centers on Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell), the legendary top local anchor in San Diego in the early 1970s. Ron has bought into his legend, believes his promos, and informs a blonde at a pool party: "I have many very important leather-bound books, and my apartment smells of rich mahogany." His weakness is that he will read anything that is typed into his prompter. Anything. The words pass from his eyes into his mouth without passing through his brain.

There are viewers in every city who will think they know who this character in based on. Certainly anyone who was around Chicago TV news in the 1970s will instantly think of one name. I will not reveal the name here, but I will tell a story. A friend of mine was an assignment editor on this nameless anchor's station. One day he gave a juicy assignment to the man's co-anchor and rival. The next day the nameless one leaned casually against my friend's door:

"Say, John, that was a great story you had for Maury yesterday. What do you have for me today?"

"Contempt."

True story. "Anchorman" also shows promotional spots in which Burgundy and his news teammates smile at each other lots and lots. Last week Richard Roeper and I reviewed promos at PROMAX, the annual convention of TV promotion people. One spot showed the members of a news team doing magic tricks, performing with a Hula Hoop, playing a ukulele, etc. Yes, it was intended to be funny. And it was funny, especially if that's how you want to think of the people you trust for your news.

As "Anchorman" opens, Ron Burgundy faces a crisis. Ed Harke, the stations news director, played by the invaluable Fred Willard, wants to add "diversity" to the newsroom by hiring a woman -- no, a WOMAN! -- as Burgundy's co-anchor. This cannot be. It is not right. It is against nature. Burgundy is appalled. The new co-anchor will be the efficiently named Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate), and yes, reader, she was the blonde that Burgundy tried to pick up with the leather and mahogany line.

The other news team members include the wonderfully named Champ Kind (David Koechner), Brick Tamland (Steven Carell) and Brian Fantana (Paul Rudd). And yes, sometimes when they're together, they actually do sing "Afternoon Delight." They are united in their fear of adding a woman to the team. "I read somewhere," one of them ominously warns, "that their periods attract bears." Odors play an important role in the movie. Hoping to attract Corningstone, Brian Fantana splashes on a high-octane cologne that smells, the newsroom agrees, "like the time the raccoon got in the copier."

If the movie simply focused on making Ron and his team look ridiculous, it might grow tedious, because that would be such an easy thing to do. But it has a kind of sweetness to it. Despite his weaknesses, Ron is sort of a nice guy, darn it all.. a good flick to watch.. I definately recommend the DVD.

Another hysterical Ferrell movie - once again bringing him together will cameo's from his former co stars Vince Vaughan and Owen Wilson, while also featuring the likes of Christina Applegate, Fred Willard, Steve Carell and Paul Rudd!
This movie taps into the world of local television journalism, and though it seems far fetched for the sake of comedy, I would actually say that some of the plot draws pretty closely from reality - local news can sometimes be rather over the top, too sensational and derive news from the most mundane situations - this movie takes from this and adds a whole new and incredibly funny spin!!
The main premise of this is the 'horror' of having a woman introduced into the newsroom ( this is San Diego in the 1970's - men rule the newsroom, the flares are big, the moustaches even bigger!!) as an 'actual' journalist...no problem at first, as the guys think she is there for their viewing pleasure, but it soon becomes clear that our lady - Veronica Cornerstone - wants to be the first female anchorwomen...and from that point on, the hysterical and absurd comedy ensues!
This movie has some ridiculous moments - but they are so stupid, that they are incredibly funny -take for example, the fight between rival news gangs which is peppered with many celebrity appearances! Steve Carell character is so clueless, so simple and played so well, he almost makes the show himself!!
This is 103 minutes of pure silliness and fun!! If you love ferrell and his humor - this is a must see!!

Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy is an interesting movie because, unlike Old School and Elf, its more like watching a free-form, improv show that lets Will Ferrell run wild. As such, each viewing of Anchorman is more enjoyable because there are new jokes, moments, scenes, etc. I will say that, while I've never met anyone who dislike Old School, there are a few who find Anchorman annoying or over the top. But not me! Also - Steve Carell is an added bonus and just hilarious!

Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy Quotes
Ron Burgundy: [to dog] You're so wise. You're like a miniature Buddha, covered with hair.

Ron Burgundy: I love scotch. Scotchy, scotch, scotch. Here it goes down, down into my belly...

Veronica Corningstone: My God, what is that smell? Oh!
Brian Fantana: That's the smell of desire my lady.
Veronica Corningstone: God no, it smells like, like a used diaper... filled with... Indian food! Oh, excuse me.
Brian Fantana: You know, desire smells like that to some people
Garth Holliday: What is that? Smells like a turd covered in burnt hair.

Champ Kind: The bottom line is you've been spending a lot of time with this lady, Ron. You're a member of the Channel Four News Team!
Ron Burgundy: That's a given.
Champ Kind: We need you. Hell, I need you. I'm a mess without you! I miss you so damn much. I miss being with you, I miss being near you. I miss your laugh. I miss your scent; I miss your musk. When this all gets sorted out, I think you and me should get an apartment together!

Ron Burgundy: Everyone just relax, all right? Believe me, if there's one thing Ron Burgundy knows, it's women.
Brian Fantana: I don't know, Ron.
Ron Burgundy: Guess what, I do. I know that one day Veronica and I are gonna to get married on top of a mountain, and there's going to be flutes playing and trombones and flowers and garlands of fresh herbs. And we will dance till the sun rises! And then our children will form a family band! And we will tour the countryside and you won't be invited!

Ron Burgundy: Ron Burgundy:
[when talking to Baxter]
Ron Burgundy: What? You pooped in the refrigerator? And you ate the whole... wheel of cheese? How'd you do that? Heck, I'm not even mad; that's amazing! How 'bout we get you in your p.j.'s and we hit the hay.

Will Ferrell is one of my favorite comedic actors of today. His roles in Old School and Elf are classics. Even in "The Legend of Ron Burgundy" he shines - but that seems to be the only thing that shines.

I suppose the beautiful Christina Applegate puts on a good show. She is definitely worth watching. However, much leaves to be desired in the realm of actual entertainment. It is basically the story of the famous news anchor Ron Burgundy (Ferrell) and his love interest while dealing with issues at his job. The singing of "Afternoon Delight" had me cracking up.

So many of you wonder why I gave it 4 out of 5. Well, it is worth an evening of popcorn and movies. Adding it to your DVD collection is something that should be reconsidered.

On a side note, if you work in the media industry - radio or TV - you will love this!

...Another review from Sublime Boutique.

The Legend of Ron Burgundy: Will Farrell plays Ron Burgundy, a local news anchor in the 70s facing the issue of women in the workplace in classic comedic fashion. Lines like "I don't know how to put this, but I'm kind of a big deal around here. I own many leather bound books and my apartment smells of mahogany" are pure cocky-funny roleplay gold, especially since it seems so many women have seen this movie. Great cameos from Vince Vaughn, Ben Stiller, and Luke Wilson make this film hilarious from start to finish.