“Anchorman” is my favorite Will Ferrell comedy. The film has all of the stupid humor that you expect but presents it through memorable characters and an immersive 70’s atmosphere. It feels like much more than a slapstick comedy because the music, costuming, and satirical portrayal of chauvinism in the workplace are so perfect for this time period. The film works as a legitimate period piece and the costuming probably deserved an Oscar nomination. So much of the humor in this film is derived from male stereotypes and it works so well because of how true this was in the 70’s. It seems like the film market is so oversaturated with comedies that they are all the same, but this film distinguishes itself through Will Ferrell’s iconic character. Ron Burgundy is one of those characters that everybody recognizes even if they haven’t seen the movie. Just like Austin Powers, The Blues Brothers, and Happy Gilmore, this character is constantly present in our culture through his loudly projected television voice, one-liners (“Well, that escalated quickly”/” I don't know how to put this but I'm kind of a big deal”), and outlandish exclamations (“By the beard of Zeus”/“Knights of Columbus, that hurt”). The news team is rounded out with comic actors Paul Rudd, David Koechner (who would later play Todd Packer on “The Office”), and Steve Carell as Brick. Carell doesn’t have many lines but steals the show through his constantly clueless state and dimwitted delivery of lines. This role thrust him into the spotlight right before he was cast in “The Office” and set the wheels in motion to make him a star with “The 40-Year-Old Virgin.” The script is really well-written, providing dozens of quotable jokes, getting "Afternoon Delight" stuck in your head, and even drawing in Vince Vaughn, Luke Wilson, Tim Robbins, and Ben Stiller for an epic Battle of the News Anchors. There really isn’t anything bad to be said about “Anchorman.” Its short runtime keeps it from getting old, the off-the-wall jokes are completely unexpected, and you laugh from start to finish.
"There's only one thing a man can do when he's suffering from a spiritual and existential funk."
"Go to the zoo, flip off the monkeys?"
"No. Buy new suits"
All: "YAAY!!!"
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