Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby - Review

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Rated: PG-13

Distributor: Sony Pictures

Release Date: 2006-08-04

Starring: Will Ferrell, Amy Adams, Sacha Baron Cohen, Gary Cole, Michael Clarke Duncan, Adam McKay, John C. Reilly, Andy Richter

Directed by Adam McKay

Produced by Judd Apatow, Jimmy Miller

Written by Will Ferrell, Adam McKay

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Reviewed by Josh Tyler : 2006-08-04 00:06:40

It’s impossible to watch Talladega Nights without thinking of the 2004 movie Anchorman. They’re the same film, and it’s likely because both movies were directed and written by Adam McKay, with scripting help from Will Ferrell. Talladega Nights may have cars instead of news reporting, but it uses the same scattershot approach to comedy, a random collection of semi-improvised sketches tied together by a loose plot in which our comedic hero is laid low by an arch rival and then must overcome his defeat to regain his place at the top of the heap.

The only real difference between the two movies is that in Talladega the plot is even thinner, and oh yeah, Ricky Bobby doesn’t have a comedic punchline like Steve Carell. Carell can’t be replaced but the movie tries by bringing in Gary Cole to steal the movies’ best moments. Cole’s a criminally underrated comedic talent, and he does exactly as asked. He plays Ricky’s absent father, a guy whose only conversation with Ricky prior to adulthood involves the catchphrase: “If you’re not first, you’re last.” He was high at the time, but Ricky takes this one meeting with his father as a pattern to be applied to his entire life.

As an adult, Ricky Bobby (Will Ferrell) is stock car racing’s most successful driver. He either wins, or wrecks his car trying. More often than not, he wins. He’s living the perfect world. He’s got a hot wife who loves his earning potential, he has two beautiful sons named Walker and Texas Ranger, and he has his best friend Cal Naughton by his side as a fellow driver. We learn all of this in a half hour montage of Ricky successes, a prelude to the movie’s paper thin plot which kicks in just in time to avoid the film being half over. Story happens when a gay European driver joins the circuit and kicks Ricky’s ass, sending him home to lick his wounds and relearn his need for speed.

Ferrell is back in rare form here, doing the things that made him a box office mega-star in the first place. He hasn’t been this funny since, well, Anchorman; and after a series of missteps like Kicking and Screaming it’s nice to see that he hasn’t lost his touch. John C. Reilly is money as his best friend Cal, he uses that sympathetic thing he does so well to make you feel sorry for him even when he’s screwing Ricky over. Sacha Baron Cohen works as Ricky’s nemesis, though I’m not really sure he’s doing anything that different than he already does with his Borat character. But the improvisational style encouraged on the sets of McKay’s films suits him. Cohen is always at his best when he’s completely off the cuff, which perhaps explains why his overly scripted Ali G movie just doesn’t work. For me the biggest revelation here was Amy Adams, whose been good in movies like Junebug, but never funny. She’s ignored for the first half of the film, but by the end she’s a large part of the picture, and for one scene in particular she absolutely dominates it, pulling off viciously sexy, fiercely passionate and heart crushingly sweet all at once. I think I’m in love.

Talladega Nights works brilliantly in small doses. The film is peppered with unexpected, hilarious asides where Ricky Bobby stops down to discuss why he likes little baby Christmas Jesus better than the traditional adult one, or McKay works in some subtle (or not so subtle) jab at NASCAR’s obsession with product placement. But as a whole, the movie doesn’t quite fit together. In between those funny skits are long pauses for mediocre racing or slight character development. The cast is great, and when they’re in the midst of one of those manic improvisational furies that made Anchorman so funny, The Ballad of Ricky Bobby is a riot. Whenever the movie needs to get to the next chapter though, the momentum stalls out and feels like it’s mired in a pit stop. The cast’s comedic improvisation carries it, but Talladega Nights’ script could have used a tune-up.

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billbobaggins
September 4, 2007 at 02:11

SAM DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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David H
May 26, 2007 at 16:04

I can't say anything good about this movie, and parts of it were offensive.

Makes it hard to explain why I'm still laughing about certain parts of it.

This decal is dangerous and inconvenient, but I do love fig newtons.

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Kevin Eagen
February 26, 2007 at 02:38

ummmm anyone want to write an essay on this movie that reviews it?????

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Rory churchill
February 15, 2007 at 10:10

i hate to say that aint worth a velvit painting of awhale and a dolphin gettin it on

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Rory churchill
February 15, 2007 at 10:09

god man i loved this movie it is the most funnyist movie will has made i love it shak n bake

your wrecking my life! what do u mean y (cal)

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shockzilla
January 9, 2007 at 15:35

THE MOVIE WAS VERY FUNNY. I WOULKD TAKE THIS ON A CRUISE AND SELL IT FOR 500 DOLLAERS

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Chris
December 27, 2006 at 01:35

Guys.. if this movie were that anti NASCAR, it wouldn't feature real race tracks, real announcers, real race car drivers, and real sponsors. Like some have said, it's a satire, it's classic will ferrell, and it's fucking hilarious. I'd say 75% (if not more) of the acting in this movie was improvised, and it really shows off the comedic genius of everyone involved. My favorite quote was "You made that sermon your bitch!" haha, buy this movie!

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Hated It
December 19, 2006 at 23:10

I live in a Nascar town and I too like alot of people could not wait to see the movie. I am so glad however that I missed it in the theaters. When it hit the video shelves I could hardly wait to see it. DONT WASTE YOUR TIME. Anybody who calls them self a professional critic and liked this movie needs to watch it again. I bet they could not make it thru it. Yeah it had 3 of 4 funny moments of which they showed in the trailers but after that it was crap. If I was one of the people who made a cameo in this movie I would be so ashamed that I got caught up in it.

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Murphy Miranda
September 25, 2006 at 23:49

I AM COMING FOR YOU RICKY BOOBIE

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Debbie Stack
September 13, 2006 at 13:57

Hello,

I am interested in having a movie review. Could let me know how to do this?

Thank you.

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Erryn
August 18, 2006 at 06:36

I went and saw this movie today and I have to say it was hilarious I laughed my a$$ off through the whole thing...I love Will Ferrell he's one of the best actors out there As for the kissing scene BIG WHOOP its not like he was sticking his tongue down his throat lol but wait if it was leslie bibb kissing another woman it wouldnt be a problem..seriously guys you dont know a good movie when you see it. I'm with J-ro and Josh on this one. WILL FERRELL You ROCK. MORE great movies to come.. GO see this movie in theatre I wouldnt wait till its out on video. Ciao ! ! !

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kyle
August 16, 2006 at 17:36

this movie was alrite
it had its funny parts
but it was pretty boring
worth the price
dont buy it

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Good Ole Boy
August 14, 2006 at 15:32

When I saw it in Little Rock in a full theater at 4:15 matinee, I expected a good spoof of NASCAR, and it was. It was also over the top with child actors repeatedly swearing at their parents and grandparents, but only trashy folk would take their young children to a Will Ferrell movie anyway.

It was worth the admission price, but might not have been at full price.

As already mentioned in this thread, there is an unsubtle mocking of the actual NASCAR fan base, and the movie takes particular pleasure in ramming homosexuality down the throats of homophobic, blue collar audience members. Cleverly, it finally does so unambiguously in the last five minutes of the film after it's too late for the objecting to walk out.

Cohen is so over the top that it makes it difficult to sit still in the theater during any of his close-ups. Great performances by several of the leads as already mentioned here.

I'd give it a 4 out of 10, but higher if you're into inanity. :)

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Scott
August 12, 2006 at 15:07

I thought the movie was great, laughed all the way through, and personally enjoy NASCAR as well. Satire is Ferrell's expertise, and I think he was profiling most NASCAR enthusiasts as undereducated homophobes. Which are you (um...need a dictionary again)?

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Mike
August 9, 2006 at 23:18

This movie was amazing. Anyone who disagrees with that statement ain't right in the head i mean like the comment about being distasteful come on get a life. This was a fine piece of comedy by Mr. Ferrell and the rest of the cast. Well done and the performance can be respected by anyone who knows anything about comedy. BRAVO

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Joe Dirt
August 7, 2006 at 13:28

This movie was AWESOME. Laughed all the way through! If you don't get it, then I guess comedy and jokes just aren't your thing!

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nick
August 6, 2006 at 20:37

I enjoyed the film. The theater was packed and I noticed as I was walking out that the people that were saying "it was all right" were the exact people the movie was poking fun at. The movie is genius because it is an entire film about homophobic, uneducated people who LOVE NASCAR and WHO showed up in droves to see the film? Homophobic, uneducated people who LOVE NASCAR! There are those of us who got the joke before we ever saw the movie and the rest of the people are still trying to figure out what we were all laughing at.

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Timmy Timson
August 6, 2006 at 18:08

where the fuck is the soundtrack?

ps. Martinez... you should use febreeze you sicko.

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wb johnson
August 5, 2006 at 22:34

Movie had the right idea but just didnt pull it off, couldnt wait to see it but then I just couldnt wait for it to get over. Waste of time and money I wont be buying the dvd, they had the perfect villian for nscar fans French and gay they just took the gay thing to a level most will not care for

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jimmy fortega
August 5, 2006 at 16:27

This movie was great. Sooo funny. I was constantly cracking up. Yeah, the plot is supposed to be dumb- it's a will ferrell movie. U gotta see this movie though. I think the gay kiss wit the french guy was way too long and drawn out but thats like the only thing wrong with it. The attractive women made up for the gay french couple.

Funniest movie I've seen in a while.

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j ro
August 5, 2006 at 16:27

My appology to Josh.Moron was harsh,and it wasn't directed toward you. IT was some other critics who have a forum to critisize & hide. You are about the only one to stand up & back up your work with an open medium to respond. I just got a little over zealous & inflamed over people deciding not to go on the basis of others opinion.The theater that I went to was less than half full,but I could tell everyone was laughing. Keep up the good wok Josh and I will wear the Moron uniform for the rest of the day.

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billy
August 5, 2006 at 13:47

I thought this movie was very funny, very similar to anchorman. However, i dont know why people put down the plot of the movie. it is suppose to be stupid. Look at old school and anchorman. both those movies are hilarious and have an awful plot. A movie about an old mans ferternity is stupid but the movie isnt made to move, like talledaga night. So when watching the movie dont focus on the plot cause thats not why it was made, it was made for the random humor.

oh and dont say a movie sucks without a reason, dumbasses

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Josh
August 5, 2006 at 12:04

Hey J Ro, why are you calling everyone who reviewed it morons? If you look up a little bit you'll see I gave the film a positive review.

Seems a little unfair to me.

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OSCAR
August 5, 2006 at 11:46

REALLY THOUGHT THIS MOVIE WOULD BE WORTH IT BUT IT AINT...... COMPLETE STUPID MOVIE .......ANCHOR MAN WAS A MUCH BETTER
MOVIE, I BELIEVE THAT THIS MOVIE WILL TAKE A PERMANENT PIT STOP. I FOUND NACHO LIBRE A MORE BETTER MOVIE THAN THIS
GAY SUGGESTIVE RIVAL PERSONA THAT FERREL HAS.

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j ro
August 5, 2006 at 11:46

This movie rocked!!!Funnier than sh@@. I laughed all the way through.I have read negative comments, but the only people that have written in or reviewed the movie are complete morons.Here is a clue,look up the word S A T I R E . It's in a little used book called the dictionary. If you looking for a documentary you should have saved your money and watched PBS. I don't think the critics like it because it doesn't have enough of a homosexual love story in it even though they threw in a sideline for you. Has anyone seen Will ferrel's work before?A copy of anchorman? This is classic Ferrel.Reminds me of the comedic talent of a Andy Kaufman.Get off your self absorbed high horse and watch the movie, and get a clue about Nascar!It has turned into the biggest shameless comercialized sport entertainment on the planet.And once again I give you a word tolook into satire. Keep it up Will!

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