Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (4/2/2014)

Rated PG-13 for crude and sexual content, drug use, language and comic violence

Starring Will Ferrell, Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, David Koechner, Christina Applegate, Kristen Wiig, Harrison Ford and Greg Kinnear

Directed by Adam McKay (The Other Guys, Step Brothers, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby and Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy)

It’s true, Anchorman 2 is kind of a Big Deal…especially with teenagers.

With the ’70s behind him, San Diego’s top rated newsman, Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell), returns to the news desk in Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues. Also back for more are Ron’s co-anchor and wife, Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate), weather man Brick Tamland (Steve Carell), man on the street Brian Fantana (Paul Rudd) and sports guy Champ Kind (David Koechner) – All of whom won’t make it easy to stay classy… while taking New York’s first 24-hour news channel by storm.

First things first, this film is all about Will Ferrell. If you think he is funny, you will think this movie is really funny. If you think he is entirely silly and completely ridiculous, then “Skip It” and go see Gravity.

The rest of the cast is just as ridiculous. From Brink’s nonsensical ramblings (and yelling) to Brian’s “investigative reporting” to Champ’s deep-fried bats, you will either laugh for most of this film of be completely frustrated by the silliness.

But what can you really expect from Anchorman 2? As for me, I walked into the theaters expecting a film that was crude, foul and juvenile. And while it was juvenile and at times crude, it was not as bad as I expected. In fact, I was shocked by how many great teachable moments are in this film. Everything from pride to friendship to responsibilities, Ron Burgundy’s life lessons are powerful and usually pretty funny. Strike that, they are stinking hilarious. The one exception is his relationship with his son. That theme is hot over and over again, but that’s just not funny to me.

In the midst of all the silliness there actually is a story. It’s not an Oscar worthy story, but there is a story. Unfortunately the story drags from time to time – just like a Saturday Night Live sketch that goes too long.

Finally there are the cameos…and let me just say WOW. There are more stars doing more ridiculous things than when Jimmy Fallon hosts SNL. It made the “battle scene” my favorite part of the entire movie.

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues is entirely silly, completely ridiculous and truly funny. Even though it had plenty of teachable moments, the dragging story and some of the crude humor earned it just a “Rental” for me.

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT
For years Jonathan has talked about all the “low hanging fruit” in films. Well, Anchorman 2 is full of low hanging fruit. Everything from condoms to interracial dating is source material.

There is a scene where Ron and his boss are shown kissing next to each other on a bed – it lasts about 10-15 seconds.

There are 2 F-words and some uses of milder language. There are also a couple scenes of comic violence, nothing to be taken seriously.

PLEASE NOTE: This review was done for the Theatrical version. The DVD has two additional versions.

CONVERSATION STARTER

1. How would you describe Ron Burgundy’s ups and downs of life?


2. What was the high point of your day?


3. What was the low point of your day?


4. Read Proverbs 16:18
   
   “Too much pride will destroy you.”
   
   
5. How did Ron’s highs lead to his lows?


6. Read James 4:6
   
   “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
   
   
7. What are some things you can do to guard yourself from pride?