I had a free ticket to Anchorman 2 so I used this weekend. You won’t be surprised that Diane and I were the only ones in the theater (talk about private showing!). Will Ferrell returns as goofy anchorman Ron Burgundy. He’s offered a job on the new GNN cable news network (the film is set in the 1980s). Ron Burgundy has to gather his news team–Steve Carell, Pual Rudd, and David Koechner–and begin a new chapter in broadcast history. I particularly liked Kristen Wiig as Chani (who marries Steve Carell’s character and has 11 kids). I felt the interracial subplot was embarrassing lame. But we laughed a few times and the movie flew by. If you get a free ticket, go see Anchorman 2. Otherwise wait to see Anchorman 2 on cable or Netflix if you’re in the mood for something silly. GRADE: B
Main cast
Will Ferrell as Ron Burgundy
Steve Carell as Brick Tamland
Paul Rudd as Brian Fantana
David Koechner as Champ Kind
Christina Applegate as Veronica Corningstone-Burgundy
Meagan Good as Linda Jackson
James Marsden as Jack Lime
Kristen Wiig as Chani
Fred Willard as Edward “Ed” Harken
Chris Parnell as Garth Holliday
Dylan Baker as Freddie Shapp
Greg Kinnear as Gary
Josh Lawson as Kench Allenby
Luke Wilson as Frank Vitchard
Cameos
Harrison Ford as Mack Tannen
Vince Vaughn as Wes Mantooth
Will Smith as an ESPN anchor
Jim Carrey and Marion Cotillard as CBC News anchors
Sacha Baron Cohen as a BBC News reporter
Drake as a Ron Burgundy fan
Kirsten Dunst as a El Trousias Maiden of the Clouds
Tina Fey and Amy Poehler as leaders of the Entertainment Tonight news team.
Liam Neeson as a History Channel reporter
John C. Reilly as Stonewall Jackson’s Ghost
Kanye West as MTV News correspondent
Even before I saw Will Smith’s name I knew this was one I wasn’t about to watch.
Bob, without that free ticket we would have gone to some other movie.
I didn’t know about Anchorman (1 or 2) and will see if I can watch it on cable. The cast in cameo roles looks good though there’re a couple of names in the main cast, like James Marsden and Fred Willard, I wouldn’t mind seeing. Not a big fan of Will Ferrell and Steve Carell.
Prashant, I’m with you on Ferrell and Carell. Both ANCHERMAN 1 & 2 make fun of television in the 1970s and 1980s. They capture that time fairly accurately.
I have great tolerance for very goofy movies so will probably see this one at some point. It probably helps to see it with a large appreciative audience if at all possible I would imagine … 🙂 thanks George
Sergio, ANCHORMAN 2 arrived in theaters here around Christmas. When we went a couple days ago it was clear everyone who had wanted to see it…had seen it. Except for us. But we love private showings!
I expected this one to be more successful with all the pre-opening publicity it got.
That free ticket cost you too much (your time). Will Ferrell is where I stop, I really don’t like him, whether in commercials or movies (or TV). NO, THANKS. Also, silly is a good clue this is one to avoid. You give it a B? Come on, be honest, this one is at best a C-.
Patti, comedy sequels tend not to do well (except for the HANGOVER movies).
Rick, if I had to pay for a ticket, the grade for ANCHORMAN 2 might be lower. Free tickets tend to inflate my grades.