Barnes & Noble

To some people, Will Ferrell remains an acquired taste: Success in skit-comedy TV shows doesn't necessarily guarantee big-screen stardom. There are those who believe Ferrell is strictly a supporting actor and not a leading man, Elf notwithstanding. Anchorman -- one of 2004's goofiest and most entertaining comedies -- soundly refutes that notion. Set in the 1970s, when women's liberation and the sexual revolution turned the culture topsy-turvy, Anchorman chronicles the misadventures of Ron Burgundy (guess who), a clueless, misogynistic TV newsreader. Ron is the toast of San Diego, adored by women and admired by men, his Neanderthal attitudes notwithstanding. But he's about to get real competition from an ambitious female reporter (Christina Applegate) determined to become the station's first woman anchor -- even if it means undermining Burgundy by means both fair and foul. Anchorman would not have been such a giddy delight had writer/director Adam McKay (head writer on Saturday Night Live during Ferrell's tenure there) simply fallen back on tired battle-of-the-sexes tropes. In fact, the film's best bits involve comedy that verges on the absurd. Ferrell's Burgundy is a walking caricature, although he seems practically normal compared to the bizarre yes-men played by Paul Rudd, David Koechner, and especially Steve Carell, who is sidesplitting as dim-bulb weatherman Brick Tamland. Vince Vaughn adds to the general hilarity as a competing channel's anchor, while Luke Wilson, Jack Black, Ben Stiller, Tim Robbins, and many other familiar faces pop up in effective cameos. The Ferrell-McKay screenplay is peppered with snappy one-liners and pop-culture references, and while nobody will ever confuse Anchorman for sophisticated humor, this movie can be counted upon to put a smile on the viewer's face and keep it there. Ed Hulse

All Movie Guide

Marking the directorial debut of Adam McKay, former head writer for Saturday Night Live and founder of the Upright Citizen's Brigade, Anchorman is set during the 1970s and stars Will Ferrell as Ron Burgundy, San Diego's top-rated news anchorman. While Burgundy is outwardly willing to adjust to the idea of females in the workplace -- even outside of secretarial positions -- he certainly doesn't want his own job challenged. Keeping that in mind, it's no wonder that the arrival of Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate), an aspiring newswoman, is, in Ron's eyes, not the studio's most welcome addition. After Veronica pays her dues covering so-called female-oriented fluff pieces (think cat fashion shows and cooking segments), the ambitious Veronica sets her eyes on the news desk; more specifically, on Ron's seat behind it. Not unpredictably, Ron doesn't take the threat lightly, and it isn't long before the rival newscasters are engaged in a very personal battle of the sexes. Anchorman was co-written by Ferrell, and features supporting performances from David Koechner, Steve Carrell, Paul Rudd, Tara Subkoff, and Maya Rudolph. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide

Product Details

• UPC: 678149167726
• Source: DREAMWORKS VIDEO
• Region Code: 1
• Aspect Ratio: Theatre Wide-Screen (1.85.1)
• Presentation: Wide Screen
• Sound: Dolby Digital Stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
• Language: English, Français
• Subtitles: English, Français, Español
• Time: 1:38:00
• Sales Rank: 740

This DVD is also available as part of a box set:

• Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
• Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
• Will Ferrell: the Will-Arious Collection
• Comedy Party Pack

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