"Anchorman" is the funniest movie in 20 years.

[Kid_A]

Normally I don't get very enthusiastic about comedies, especially right after they come out. They usually have an extremely short shelf-life, and exist only to make a few million bucks opening weekend, and then sell some cheesy "Unrated with More Boobies!!" DVDs. But "Anchorman" had me crying I was laughing so hard for so long.

There have been several comedies in recent years that have been excellent, but they've mostly been more intelligent than the usual fare. "The Royal Tenenbaums" comes to mind as a good example of a comedy that can make you laugh without making you feel stupid afterwards.

But sometimes the best comedies are the ones that are just unabashedly silly, with characters that take themselves completely seriously. My favorite comedies of all time are "Ghostbusters" and "This Is Spinal Tap", and both of those came out 20 years ago. "Anchorman" is just as good as both those, because it takes itself seriously. All three of those movies tell their stories without winking at the audience. New York is threatened by ghosts, so god dammit, who ya gonna call? Spinal Tap knows that they're a great rock band who writes incredibly poignant, not at all tongue-in-cheek songs about sex farms and big bottoms.

And Ron Burgundy is his news crew are the same way. They know that they're not only damn fine journalists but also the epitome of raw male sexuality, and there's no way in Hell that they're gonna let some broad with an absolutely breathtaking heinie move in on their turf. And if defending their turf means engaging in gladiatorial combat, then so be it. They'll pull out their tridents and hand grenades and have at it.

That's why "Anchorman" works. The genius of the humor is in the completely natural reactions of the character to absurd situations. And if you can watch the scene near the end where the dog talks to the bear without laughing so hard that you lose complete control of your central nervous system, then you must be Dick Cheney.

[HuckleB]

1. I have to tell you that's the first good review I've seen or heard.

A few friends went to see it on a whim on Sunday, and they almost walked out, they found it so unfunny. I suppose, as usual, humor is in the ear of the beholder.

[Az]

2. You know how some movies put their funniest moments in the previews

And wind up killing all the funny moments in the movie. I have to say I get the feeling this movie did that and I didn't find any of the previews funny.

Not going to risk my beautiful mind on this one. The nice thing about being human is we all get to have our own opinions and taste. Glad you enjoyed it so much.

[Jack_Dawson]

3. Are you a "plant" for the studio?

You know, the same people that write great reviews of their own books on Amazon? :toast:

[Kid_A]

5. No, I'm not a plant...

but you can visit my official site at http://www.dreamworks.com

[Beer Snob-50]

4. I saw the movie with my family and another family

and we thoguht it was an icrediabley funny movie. I agree with your review!!!

[AlCzervik]

7. can i take my 10 year old to see it?

She's dying to see it but i don't if there is anything in there thats to racy.

[Kid_A]

9. It's definitely a deserved PG-13.

There's a lot of sexual humor, but that might go over a ten year old's head. The only profanity I remember is at one point, Burgundy says "Go fuck yourself, San Diego!" That's really about it.

[Beer Snob-50]

12. I think some of the humor is inappropriate

for 10 year old girls. my sons are 14 and 12

[frylock]

6. i take you haven't seen 'bad santa'..

I plan on seeing Anchorman this weekend, but Bad Santa was the funniest movie I've seen in a long, long time.

[underpants]

8. Steve Carell's Time interview - "This is for the cover of Time, right?"

http://www.time.com/time/archive/preview/0,10987,1101040712-660953,00.html

Daily Show correspondent Steve Carell plays a weatherman in Anchorman, out July 9. This is your third role as a TV newsman. Why are you better at faking journalism than I am? I have no idea. I have absolutely no experience. I'm not particularly quick-witted or smart. So I guess I was perfectly suited. This is for the cover of TIME, right?

[bif]

10. How can you lump "Spinal tap" and "Ghostbusters" in together?

I thought "Tap" was brilliant and "Ghostbusters" one of the most unfunny comedies I've ever seen. So I'm not sure how to judge your review.

[Kid_A]

11. They're both ensemble comedies

with actors that work off of each other brilliantly. And they both approach their absurd subject matter totally seriously, and that's what makes them funny. I think "Anchorman" fits that same description, and that's why people will be watching it for a long, long time.