I saw it today and really enjoyed it. It may take me a couple more watches of it to determine if it is as funny as Anchorman, but, on first glance, I'd say yes. I thought the story alone was entertaining - something new for Ferrell outside of just straight humor. There are going to be a lot of good one-liners from this one for sure. There were some hilarious moments and just when you thought it was going to turn sappy, they zinged you with another joke. I think the film really benefitted from Sasha Cohen and Amy Adams. The two of them were both funny and interesting. Overall, thumbs up. As an aside, Ferrell's new movie, Stranger Than Fiction, with Emma Thompson looks really good. I saw the trailer a few weeks back and again today. Can't wait for that one - or the Borat movie.
I just saw a special screening of "Talladega Nights" here in New Zealand, the NASCAR capitol of the South Pacific. *****Spoiler Alert****** I enjoyed the movie. I thought it was pretty funny. Was it "Short Circuit" or "Mighty Ducks 2" funny? Maybe not. But, it was funny. The movie *did* have an uneven tone, at times. Like KC, I was puzzled by the fiery crash and prolonged death scene at the end of the movie. I thought it was a bit gratuitous to literally show Ricky Bobby's final heartbeat through his crushed ribcage as a Bob Seger song (was it "Night Moves?" help me out here people) swelled in the background. Sure, I cried along with the rest of the audience- body-shaking sobs from the soul, even- but I just didn't expect that from this movie. I also found the whole Gary Glitter subplot a little strange. It wasn't so much "funny ha-ha" as "funny, I am laughing at a convicted paedophile sell ice cream in a Will Ferrell movie." That kind of funny. I also really didn't get the whole Anwar Sadat-Jessica Simpson dream sequence that was in the movie. Sort of puzzling. Still, it's well worth seeing, people.
It was funny, but not as funny as Anchorman. Was it me, or did they put the best jokes in the commercials and trailers and leave them out of the movie?
I saw all of them in the movie. The thing I thought funny was that the entire theater cracked up in a huge roar during the knife scene. I saw that in the trailer, and was wondering why they were laughing so hard if they saw it also....I mean, it was funny, but I had already seen it a few times in the trailer.
That was weird. There was another, overplayed (ad-ed) scene just like that, but I can't remember off hand right now -- either way, it got huge laughs in spite of the ad saturation. Now I know why they employ these test groups. A hilarious movie, worth the ten bucks. Nowhere near as good as Anchorman, but what is?
I liked it. I didn't think the first third of the movie was that funny (in particular, I didn't find the French character funny at all), but it grew on me. I especially liked the quieter, less-over-the-top stuff. The middle section which featured more of Ricky Bobby's parents really won me over with their quaint, southern humor. Bobby's wife was hilarious and hot, and I even liked Amy Adams' weird intensity. Also, I haven't seen one commercial or trailer for the movie (that's what not having a television will do for you), so I didn't have issues with played out jokes. But I think I do understand the mentality of finding something like that funny despite seeing it a million times. I think it's the communal experience that people are really responding to. Like everyone has seen it, and knows it's funny, but still reacts to it so much because everyone else is responding to it too. Sharing strong emotions as a group is a pretty powerful thing, and I think that's what people are reacting to on a subconscious level. As for the movie itself, I didn't find it as funny as Anchorman, and wouldn't expect it to be as rewatchable, but they're slightly different kinds of movies. Anchorman is a pure comedy, while Talladega is a bit more sentimental. So I still liked Talladega a lot... even despite the graphic death scene.
Going to see it this afternoon, even though Cheetah ruined the movie for me so I'm just going to increase my anger at him.
GOD damnit! I didn't see the word spoiler in your post!!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! You need to add some ***************** ANd some spacing for it to really be noticable.
I took my boys to see it yesterday. I thought it SUCKED! I was expecting to role out of my seat in laughter. I only snickered a few times. What is up with the GAY guy?!? Do not waste your money on this one. If you want to see a good movie go to Pirates of the Carribean. Now that was a good movie.
Dude, you just keep making me laugh and my kids are wondering why I am laughing so hard (at your posts)... You keep making it worse, but it's hilarious... Anyways, this is the first most-anticipated FERRELL movie of my life... I am going either tonight with the wife or later with friends.
Good stuff. Jabs at NASCAR (who doesn't like that?) along with a little tip of the hat to what would probably make it enjoyable. Not as funny as Anchorman, but still good. I agree they shouldn't have put as much in the trailers as they should have.
Just got back from the theatre, I loved it! Definitely one of those that will get better everytime you watch it. Sasha Baron Cohen was hilarious as usual.
Just got back from seeing it again. Great movie. I think its Will Ferrells best. A little unusual at times, but otherwise brilliant
We could have had free tickets last night, as a couple was giving them away in line, for free, and nobody bit, not even us...Wanted to see Pirates...Idiot... Which, btw, was ok, but the entire movie was a set up for the 3rd one, which made the movie suck...
