Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
The story of a man who could only count to #1.
NASCAR racing sensation Ricky Bobby's (Will Ferrell) "win at all costs" approach has made him a national hero. He and his loyal racing partner and childhood friend, Cal Naughton, Jr. (John C. Reilly), are a fearless duo who thrill their fans by finishing most races in the #1 and #2 positions - with Cal always in second place. When a flamboyant French Formula One driver, Jean Girard (Sacha Baron Cohen), challenges him for the supremacy of NASCAR, Ricky Bobby must face his own demons and fight Girard for the right to be known as racing's top driver.
Member Reviews
Pleasant and Inventive but Mostly Unfunny Comedy - KevinJaques
Will Ferrell is the star. I continue to fail to see his humour but find him pleasant to watch, unlike my wife who finds him creepy.
He tries hard, you have to give him that. A lot of the stuff, like driving with a cougar in the car to harness his fear, is a funny concept. It just wasn't funny on the screen. Likewise, the hospital scene where he tries to prove his leg isn't paralysed, by stabbing himself. Or his motto, by which he lived his life, a quote from his absentee father, "If you're not #1, you're last." Lots of stuff actually, is quite funny in hindsight. Just not while Ferrell is on the screen.
Mind you, plenty was unfunny AND stupid, like him imagining he is on fire and running around the track in his underwear.
But Sacha Baron Cohen played the villain, a snooty French competitor, and even though his time onscreen was short, it saved the movie. He was hilarious and the whole character toyed with my expectations.Oddly enertaining.... - robdef
I'm not sure what to say about this movie. There were long stretches when I didn't laugh at all, but, it got surprisingly better as it went on, especially when Sacha Baron Cohen entered the picture. They say that what makes good comedy is that the characters take themselves completely and utterly seriously. It took a moment for some of the humour to kick in, but, when it did, it was pretty hilarious. Will Ferrell may be the star, but, he's got a very strong cast of supporting characters, that frankly, made the movie for me. One of those characters was John C. Reilly as Cal Naughton Jr. He completely lives the role and it isn't a far cry to suggest that there are people like him out there. It made me truly appreciate what a great actor he is. Likewise, Gary Cole as Ricky's father and Sacha Baron Cohen as Jean Girard had me in stitches. This is an odd little movie, but, a well made one. Don't give up on it. Try and stick it out to the end, you may be mildly surprised.Waste of a rental - Mango
The movie starts off funny & keeps you guessing as to where the plot is headed. Half an hour later, you realize that it has reached it's climax, and its capacity for creativity and humour. The jokes are overplayed and there is limited scope for acting. This is definitely not one of Will Ferrell's best works. I can give this movie a very confident "thumbs down".
Member Reviews
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Pleasant and Inventive but Mostly Unfunny Comedy - KevinJaques
Will Ferrell is the star. I continue to fail to see his humour but find him pleasant to watch, unlike my wife who finds him creepy.
He tries hard, you have to give him that. A lot of the stuff, like driving with a cougar in the car to harness his fear, ...Oddly enertaining.... - robdef
I'm not sure what to say about this movie. There were long stretches when I didn't laugh at all, but, it got surprisingly better as it went on, especially when Sacha Baron Cohen entered the picture. They say that what makes good comedy is that the characters ...Waste of a rental - Mango
The movie starts off funny & keeps you guessing as to where the plot is headed. Half an hour later, you realize that it has reached it's climax, and its capacity for creativity and humour. The jokes are overplayed and there is limited scope for acting. This ...