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Photo
by Frank Masi/2004 Dreamworks
Rudd,
Ferrell, Koechner and Carell all jump for
joy before they go suit shopping.
‘Anchorman'
loaded with sass and class
By
Trent Loomis
Daily Forty-Niner
Before
cable television brought us nationwide news
broadcasts and polyester was made from the
hair of gods, there was a man who said what
he meant and even meant what he didn't say.
That man was Ron Burgundy.
In
Will Ferrell's latest comedy "Anchorman:
The Legend of Ron Burgundy," Ferrell
plays his usual serious, yet funny role
as an eccentric television anchorman. Set
in San Diego in the ‘70s, where littering
was just a way of life, Ferrell and company
turn this comedy into a riot.
Like
most comedies, the plot takes a back seat
to the humor and the countless jokes. Burgundy,
a local icon is threatened and attracted
to a new member of his news crew, Veronica
Corningstone played by Christina Applegate.
Once he realizes that she is not only another
conquest but an intelligent and ambitious
professional, he feels in danger and a war
ensues.
Along
the way we are introduced to his all-male
crew consisting of reporter/womanizer, Brian
Fontana (Paul Rudd), weatherman/certified
retard, Brick Tamland (Steve Carell) and
sports anchor/frat boy for life, Champ Kind
(Dave Koechner). This motley crew looks
up to Burgundy and together they live the
life of sex, alcohol and perfect hair.
He
has a charm and strength of character that
lets the audience buy into his persona.
In "Anchorman" he is totally self-centered,
but in a funny way. He is more worried about
his mustache than he is about doing the
right thing most of the time, which sets
him up for his redemption.
Instead
of cinematic integrity, we get cameos from
Jack Black, Vince Vaughn, Luke Wilson, Tim
Robbins and Ben Stiller. Most of them converge
for a "Westside Story-esque" battle
scene, which is almost worth the price of
admission alone.
So
if Mr. Burgundy has the charisma to make
a wolverine purr, then everyone should stay
classy and check out the new "Anchorman."
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