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Visitors Review

DICK STEEL 2012-05-25 07:48:54

A Nutshell Review: Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

At one glance, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (what amouthful) is surely the live-action version of this summer's Cars, withits setting in NASCAR racing, the drive (pardon the pun) to be numberone on the race track, and its storyline in finding out what trulymatters in life besides the race (oops, another pun) to the top.Will Ferrell plays the title character Ricky Bobby, born in thebackseat of his speed demon father's racer. A stroke of luck sees himtransformed from pit stop crew to the #1 driver in NASCAR, living lifefrom a philosophy imparted from his dad, that if you ain't first,you're last. Fame and wealth come rolling in, until one day a French F1driver, Jean Girrard (Sacha Baron Cohen) arrives on the race circuitscene and threatens to take over the top dog spot.The movie is split into equal portions between Ricky Bobby's meteoricrise to fame, which allowed for plenty of laughs, while the latter halfis filled with relatively slower moments in regaining confidence aftera Days of Thunder-ish event. One scene which truly cracked me up is theone in the hospital - it came out from out of the blue, and tickled meso hard that tears just rolled uncontrollably. The other scene whichwas as interesting, was one over the dinner table, although it did feela little stretched out and could be shortened for pacing's sake. Butdespite the number of sight gags, and witty lines, the jokes here felta little unevenly spread, which also meant that some of them did fallflat or get repetitive.What lifted the movie is the support from the secondary casts, withJohn C Reilly playing Ricky Bobby's wingman and best friend Cal,Michael Clarke Duncan as the race / pit stop manager, and the kids whoplayed Ricky's sons, who surprisingly got the best of the crude oneliners, and actually had some form of character development. SachaBaron Cohen, of Ali G and Borat fame, hams it up with his fake thickFrench accent and mannerisms - a pity that he doesn't get more screentime as the prime villain.There are some cuts in the movie given that its PG rating here -censored out were the gay bits, and gay kissing, which jarred the moviethough it wasn't missed. What surprised me when watching this movieright after You, Me and Dupree, was the similarities in themes,characters and scenes. We have the same issues with the best friend, amain character who doesn't appreciate nor is contended with what hehas, taking things for granted, the father character playing asignificant role, as well as "Career Day".Stay tuned right up until after the end credits roll for a small scene,which also had similarities to You, Me and Dupree's, in having a bookfeature in the scene.

A.O. Scott 2012-05-25 00:44:11

As a cultural artifact, Talladega Nights is both completely phony and, therefore, utterly authentic. Or, to put it differently: this movie is the real thing.

2012-05-24 14:04:34

Funny, funny, funny!!!

I laughed my you know what off!!! Will Ferrell is the best and this is "dumb" comedy at its finest! If you are in the mood for some mindless humor, this is the film to watch. I am going to have to watch it a second and third time because I missed so much dialogue while I was laughing!!

tipafo 2012-05-23 23:22:41

Laughed so hard my face hurt

I haven't laughed this hard in years. Seriously, tears streaming downmy face many times in the first hour. Easily the funniest thing I'veseen in theaters in a long time.I'm not generally a fan of Will Ferrel and his brand of comedy, or thatof Adam Sandler, Ben Stiller, et al, so I was expecting a few chucklesin an extended SNL skit. I will say the last third of this movie dragsa bit until the end.The slow down was okay, as it gave me a chance to catch my breath. Justabout everything before is brutally hilarious. An odd choice of words,but those kids! An eight may seem high to some, but Talladega Nightswas better than I thought it would be. It has a strong group of actorsplaying their parts straight, a few good race crashes, and just plainfunny writing.Unlike most trailers, which often highlight the best the movie has tooffer, "Help me, Tom Cruise!" is not the funniest part of this movie.

2012-05-20 03:12:09

Just stupid!

It looked like they went out and filmed a bunch of scenes, then piecedthem together with a blender. It's almost as though they couldn'tdecide on a theme, so they threw in subplots about the kids going fromhateful to heavenly, a pit crew which included some kind of naive(gay?) guy, the wife, the assistant, the sponsors, the owners, etc.etc. And what was all that about Halliburton being a sponsor? There wasobviously lots of ad-libbing going on, and as haphazardly strungtogether as it was, it just wasn't a funny story - at best, there wereonly a few somewhat funny moments, but most attempts just fell flat.The French guy was doing a bad Inspector Clouseau imitation! And onceagain, Will Ferrell apparently feeling like he has to kiss some guy onthe mouth to seem funny. Overall, it was just a dumb film!

ksig13457 2012-05-19 22:12:05

Some funny parts, but not his best

I saw it last night, and I did not think it was terrible, but by allmeans was not the best Will Ferrell movie that I've seen. There arequite a few glimpses of the crazy Ferrell from his SNL days, and it isclear that he is having a very good time making this movie. There aresome funny parts, but a lot of the humor plays on really old devices,e.g. his kids being foul-mouthed, disrespectful hooligans (you know --it's funny to hear kids use profanity, right?). The movie is fairlypredictable, but let's face it -- we're not going for an Academy Awardwinner here. Yes, there are entertaining parts, but I would say thatAnchorman was a funnier movie with more unexpected bits of humor.My nine-year-old wanted to see it because of the many previews he'dseen on TV and at the theater. I am glad that I did not take himbecause there's a fairly good bit of mild-to-moderate profanity andmore sexual humor than I care to have to explain to him at this point.Bottom line -- was it worth it? Yes, because I went with good friendsand it was a packed house. But, minus the atmosphere, I would havewaited to see it in a second-run theater or on DVD.

Dan Fienberg 2012-05-10 13:54:58

Talladega Nights is a tighter, more structured film than Anchorman, which is probably both to its advantage and determent.

rant-1 2012-05-10 10:32:13

"Fig Newtons" goof reported here has it backwards

Actually ... one of the "goofs" comments listed here has it backwards.I'm currently watching the film (again) and I noticed that the FigNewtons sticker, when viewed from the outside, swoops from the lowerwindshield on the passenger side up to the top half of the windshieldon the driver's side, giving Ricky room to see out of the windshield.When the sticker is viewed from inside the car, however, it swoops downinto his field of vision, so he's staring at the "ns."When we're seeing through the windshield, looking at the sticker withRicky, he mentions that it's dangerous and he can't see anything, buthe "sure loves Fig Newtons." If the sticker weren't in the way fromthat angle, the line wouldn't make sense. At the same time, if thesticker were in the line of sight of the driver when viewed from theoutside, it would have been more difficult than likely necessary todrive the car for the exterior shots. Interesting? Maybe not. Much like much of the film. My teenagers loveit, though, so I'm checking it out yet again. Good times!

2012-05-05 22:08:46

For NASCAR fans and Non-NASCAR fans alike!

I wasn't sure how I was going to react to this film after seeing Ferrell's last release, "Anchorman". In that film, the film went way over the top and I was disappointed with the final result. This time around, they get it right! This film is a rip-roaring laugh riot! The real star of this film is Sacha Baron Cohen's hillarious rendition of F-1 driver turned NASCAR speed demon. He makes this film worth the price of admission! This is for NASCAR fans and Non-NASCAR fans alike!

JoeJames76 2012-05-05 19:02:28

Will Ferrell wins again with a little help from his friends

Will Ferrell continues his winning streak with yet another irreverenttake on the bizarre worlds that exist within our culture. First hetackled the 70s local news era in Anchorman: The Legend of RonBurgundy. Then the world of suburban soccer matches in Kicking andScreaming. This time around, he pokes fun within the increasinglypopular NASCAR circuit in Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.What makes Ferrell's films and characters so popular and fun to watch,is that he is self deprecating, yet entirely lovable as dim wittedeverymen. He can easily go over the top and extreme for the big laugh(I'm caught in a glass case of emotion!!!), yet his varied linedelivery and altering of tone can make even a line like, "Thank youBaby Jesus" seem like the greatest punch line on earth.Ricky Bobby is just as funny, if not funnier than most of Ferrell'sprevious work. It helps that he is smart enough to surround himselfwith other comedic talents, such as Sacha Baron Cohen, more commonlyknown for his persona, Ali G. In addition to Cohen, Talladega Nightsincludes two fine dramatic actors, John C. Reilly and Michael ClarkeDuncan, playing it straight for laughs unlike any comedian could.With a supporting cast like this, Ferrell and friends are encouraged toimprovise wildly, spurring each other to new heights as they maintaintheir composure. Witness Reilly's multiple line deliveries at thedinner table during the closing credits' outtakes, and you realize justhow talented comedic actors need to be. (And when it comes to talentedactors, NO ONE can rival John C. Reilly!). i'm sure there's anotherfilm and a half worth of jokes on the cutting room floor, making theforthcoming DVD release a much anticipated event.In fact, i had the impression while watching that there must have beenmore filmed, seeing as Cohen's hilarious French NASCAR driver (JacquesVilleneuve???) shares very few scenes with Ferrell. As a fan who lovedthe film, I would have liked to have seen more, but I appreciate theediting for the sake of story movement and pacing. The predictablestory arc makes for a nice, comfortable zone for the jokes to fly, andyou'll be laughing throughout the film without any worries aboutlaughing right through a plot point. A real winner.Grade: A-

J. R. Jones 2012-05-01 21:23:24

The laugh quotient lags well behind Ferrell and McKay's Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, but unlike many other purveyors of hip comedy, they're consistently clever without being contemptuous of their audience.

Pete Hammond 2012-05-01 13:07:45

Talladega Nights is the summer comedy winner that clocks more laughs per minute than any other!

Skycoaster 2012-04-25 08:24:14

Nascar with a Nas-star.

I have been to a grand total of four Nascar races in my lifetime, andall of them have so closely followed the pattern of circle fast, crash,circle slow, and repeat, that the experiences have all run together.The noise is prohibitively loud and crashes are far too rare and notnearly spectacular enough, meaning that the whole reason we are thereis the hope that someone will get hurt. The urge is so great thatpointing and gasping at nothing will still attract ten thousand faceshoping to see some sparks. It is a destructive atmosphere, and, formillions, it is a lifestyle.Pitched and picked up in six words, "Will Ferrell as a Nascar driver,"Talladega Nights sends up this lifestyle and then some with jokes meantto be satire but that are sometimes unfortunately realistic. I wouldwager that at some point in Nascar history a driver has obliged tosigning a baby's forehead at the request of its mother, as Ferrelldoes. For those who live outside of Nascar's influence, these jokesring true due to sheer irony, but any others may find humor in howsimilar the movie is to the real thing. And how perfect is the nameRicky Bobby for a Nascar driver?As Bobby, Will Ferrell has perfected his role as the quintessentialmillionaire driver. His southern accent is flawless, but to be fair itis not that hard to replicate anyway. Beyond his speech, though, iswhat really makes him perfect for the role. He has the look and thefeel of a walking billboard that advertises itself just as much as itssponsors. He exudes arrogance and self-aggrandizement towards everyonehe knows, even his dimwitted friend Cal (John Rielly), who will not letRicky's flair for competition suppress his naturally amicablepersonality. Even when he unintentionally betrays Ricky, although Iwill not say how, he cannot grasp the concept of losing his bestfriend.Opposing both teammates is French flamer Jean Girard, played superblyby Sacha Baron Cohen of Da Ali G Show. On HBO he has a flair for everyone of his many characters, so naturally playing two stereotypes atonce is no problem for him. He speaks his lines with a sincerity thatrings so true that we laugh at how serious he sounds, such as when hetries cajole Ricky into kissing him with just a touch of desperation inhis voice. Whether or not Ricky obliges, I shall not say.Most of the humor from any source other than Ferrell or Girard does notdeserve a second look. The jokes are interchangeable and juvenileprofanity that get tired after Ricky's two sons, Walker and TexasRanger (pun totally intended), go on a rant about their grandfather,which comes across as more pejorative than funny. Specific jokes ofthis sort, like some from the trailer, are not in the film, such aswhen Ferrell absent-mindedly flips a bike onto his lawn. The film lookslike it was edited in less than a week, though, mainly because it has asimple layout for these jokes: Funny part, plot element, repeat. Soundslike a Nascar race in itself.Those concerned that all the humor was lost to the trailer, which isone of the most persuasive in years, will not be disappointed. Thebiggest laugh is always yet to come, and the chaos always stops justbefore it gets awkward. Ferrell, of course, must find a way to runaround half-naked, a recurring motif for many of his films, mostnotably Old School, but do not let his movie give you the wrong ideaabout Nascar; no one will ever have this much fun at a race.

Wesley Morris 2012-04-24 15:27:50

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby is the sort of cheerfully asinine comedy that twists your arm until you submit. So, to Will Ferrell -- clown, freak, bully -- I scream, 'Uncle!'

hot_stallion 2012-04-24 16:24:26

Had overload of gay stuff and wasn't very funny.

This movie sucked! The previews showed the funny parts and it had waytoo much queer stuff (like guy/guy kissing) throughout the movie. ilove Will Farell movies but this was the worst one he has ever made.Nothing like old school or Anchorman it had funny parts but most werein with the previews. I found me making myself laugh just to laugh sothat i could pretend i was having a good time. I wasn't expecting aplot but a light-hearted comedy similar to Anchorman but wasdisappointed with the low level of humor projected throughout the film.Don't waste your time and money on this go and see cars that is muchfunnier and has to do more with nascar than this film.

nobbytatoes 2012-04-23 23:02:22

mild comedy

Born in the back a car going over 100 miles per hour, Ricky Bobby hasbeen a speed freak, with a creedal of "I wanna go fast", and "If youain't first, your last." In a brief look at his childhood, Ricky wantsspeed and the love of his father. Jump to adulthood, Ricky Bobby worksin the NASCAR pits. Soon Ricky is out of the pits and soon the numberone driver of the circuit. Life friend Cal Naughton has always beenloyal to Ricky, even to the expense of his career to boost Ricky's.With his ego running overdrive, Ricky hits a bump when French driverJean Girrard, ruins Ricky's career and life.Written by Will Farrell and Adam McKay, with McKay also as director,Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, is a flashy NASCAR,without the grunt or muscle. Done by the same team as Anchorman: TheLegend of Ron Burgundy, Talladega Nights follows the same suit andstyle of comedy as Anchorman, but something is missing. While notfinding Anchorman a brilliant comedy, it has its charm; and the amazingSteve Carell. The comedy is flat, running off overly drawn out jokes.A prerequisite would be not to watch the trailer. All the good jokeswere in there and knowing them before hand, left nothing good to laughat. The chuckles are small and spread to far apart. There is fun to behad, spikes of humor come out of nowhere, but then drops back toflat-line.Will Farrell shows what he's good at, and he is good. Not as outlandishas Ron Burgundy, Farrell puts a nice balance between Ricky's hubris andhollowness, and actually looks realistic during Ricky's downfall stage.John C. Reilly is also good as Cal, who sticks through thick and thin.Sacha Baron Cohen seriously, seriously, hams it up as Jean. The accentis stretch far beyond caricature, but ultimately works.While there is some interesting sub text and playing on clichés onignorant Americans, homosexuals and NASCAR scene, Talladega Nights: TheBallad of Ricky Bobby, could do with a lot more kick to it.

vip_ebriega 2012-04-21 18:43:16

Tricky 'Ricky'.

My Take: One of the most effective comedies in a long time. Most comedians should owe much to Will Farrell, who may be the lastbest comedian at work in Hollywood to date. After charming me with ELFand then again in ANCHORMAN: THE LEGEND OF RON BURGUNDY, Farrellreturns in yet another highly-funny comedy that still proves thatFarrell's definition of comedy is just the same as ours. Completelywacky jokes and public satire are surprisingly clever in TALLADEGANIGHTS: THE BALLAD OF RICKY BOOBY. While it isn't exactly of all tastes(messy humor and crude language may turn off a considerable legion ofaudience), but it's adult comedy at best. This time, there really arelaughs when they mean "adult humor".Farrell plays boastful NASCAR driver Ricky Booby, who has it all, fromsexy wife (Leslie Bibb), all the money and all the first-place wins hecan possible loath. But after a turn in his career, Booby gets a tasteof the simple life as a second banana to best friend Cal Naughton Jr.(John C. Reilly) and embarrassed by a daredevil yet gay French racer(Sacha Baron Cohen). Stuck being a pizza boy living with his mom, Boobyreturns to the fast lane with a little "help" from his long-lost drunkdaddy (Gary Cole).It's racist, noisy and offensive to be sure. But it's also funny,clever and really winning at the same time. TALLADEGA NIGHTS isn't thebest and most creative comedy to come out in Hollywood for many years,certainly not the best one out in the year. But with much funnier andmore effective term for humor, it's a success all its own for what itis.Rating: ***1/2 out of 5.

David Nusair 2012-04-21 09:10:54

...there's simply no getting around the pervading feeling of mediocrity that's been hard-wired into the proceedings.

2012-04-17 13:47:50

Great Will Ferrell Film

I bought this for my son who's 15 and a big fan of Will Ferrell. He already owns the DVD but likes having movies to travel with his PSP. This is one of his favorite movies and full of great laughs.

zumt369 2012-04-17 07:34:34

Will Ferrell...Not a genius...just a joke

I am so sick of people saying that Will Ferrell is a genius. He is notan amazing actor...he parades around on camera acting like an immature10 year old and people think it is Oscar worthy acting. I will admitthat I do love some of his movies... Anchorman and Old School weregreat. Yet his role in Wedding Crashers was the downfall to what shouldhave been one of the greatest comedies of my generation. However thismovie is simply a pitiful attempt for movie executives to rob you ofyour money. They are simply just using Ferrell's image to empty yourpockets. Do yourself a favor, don't see this movie, spend your $10elsewhere...perhaps 40 games of pacman.