Stepping
We willingly reenter the world of Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell), heralded as San Diego’s finest newscaster alongside his partner and colleague, Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate). However when he is made redundant and his other half promoted, he decides to leave his family and reunite with his trustworthy crew, of Brian Fantana (Paul Rudd), Champ Kind (David Koechner) and Brick Tamland (Steve Carell) and head over to New York City, and take the first ever 24 hour news channel by storm. However in a desperate bid for more ratings, the inherent, chronic misogynist that is Ron Burgundy, takes the news to a whole new level.
When a film becomes a cult classic – a status the first Anchorman production certainly achieved, the entire point is that is earns such a following as if by accident, that’s the beauty of it. So with this sequel, it struggles to have quite the same effect, playing up to what made the first so popular, ultimately feeling contrived in the process, defeating the object somewhat. That being said, the fact that Ron Burgundy is such a renowned cinematic figure and so consistently quotable in popular culture, means that his established comic stature works in his favour, as from the very word go everything he says and does turns to gold, avoiding any needless introductions. Instead we are simply served up a big plate of Burgundy (moustache included) – which, effectively, is what we’re paying to see.
The film is relentlessly entertaining, full up to the brim of classic one-liners, and by pelting so many jokes at the audience, it’s inevitable that some are going to be fantastic. You do grow somewhat immune to them as the film progresses though, as McKay struggles to hold down that momentum the opening act achieves. There are also a handful of uncomfortable and offensive jokes – but that’s Burgundy’s character and what we expect from him, as most of his humour derives from his illogical treatment of others and sheer ignorance. The surrealistic approach taken detracts from reality too, taking away the sting from any derogatory content. The race jokes do become an issue though, but not for their offensive nature, but simply because they aren’t funny. Honestly, white people impersonating ‘street talk’ is a hackneyed joke and it’s a shame that McKay and Ferrell – who penned the screenplay together – stooped to that level of cheap, elementary humour.
To counteract this, there is the satirical element of course, in how 24 news in particular, can be so fluffy in parts, with clips of cute puppies playing in the garden, or high speed car chases, overbearing patriotism, or simply using sex to sell (“Top 50 vaginas”), as a means of broadcasting news. Though the best humour generally falls on the lap of Brick Tamland, as Carell steals the show, playing the Harpo Marx of the bunch, an endearing addition that balances out the dynamic between the leading collective. There are a handful of hilarious cameos too, though by the end it’s all a little overwhelming in that department. They lose their comedic impact as a result, and this instead ends up feeling more like a later episode of The Simpsons, as if to just say, ‘look how many famous friends we have’.
Though Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues is absolutely hilarious in parts, and a film you just want to watch all over again and quote-a-long to, it does grow somewhat self-indulgent in parts, and regrettably ends on a disappointing final act, undoing much of the good work that comes before. Great fun this may well be, but the finale signifies a distinct running out of ideas. Ron Burgundy we salute you, but it may just be best if the legend stops here. If there is one thing you’ve taught us, it’s to stay classy, after all.
[Rating:3/5]