Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1285 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-06-19
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Formats: PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 90 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Will Farrell followed up his star-making vehicle Elf, which matched his fine-tuned comic obliviousness to a sweet sincerity, with a more arrogant variation on the same character: Ron Burgundy, a macho, narcissistic news anchor from the 1970s. Along with his news posse--roving reporter Brian Fantana (Paul Rudd, Clueless), sports guy Champ Kind (David Koechner), and dim-bulb weatherman Brick Tamland (Steve Carell, Bruce Almighty)--Burgundy rules the roost in San Diego, fawned upon by groupies and supported by a weary producer (Fred Willard, Best In Show) who tolerates Burgundy's ego because of good ratings. But when Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate, View from the Top) arrives with ambitions to become an anchor herself, she threatens the male-dominated newsroom. Anchorman has plenty of funny material, but it's as if Farrell couldn't decide what he really wanted to mock, and so took smart-ass cracks at everything in sight. Still, there are moments of inspired delirium. --Bret Fetzer

Synopsis
It's the early 1970s and the local anchorman is not only a source of news but a revered local hero. In San Diego, Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell), a mustachioed bachelor with a taste for scotch, unparalleled passion for the jazz flute, and a near-telepathic connection with his spirited mutt, Baxter, is that man. Rounding out Ron's testosterone-heavy news team are his close friends--cologne-obsessed man-on-the-street Brian Fantana (Paul Rudd), sports reporter Champ Kind (Dave Koechner), and mentally challenged weatherman Brick Tamland (Steve Carrell). Their male camaraderie is challenged, though, when producer Ed Harken (Fred Willard), pressured by changing times, brings the first female reporter, ambitious Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate), to the team. Ron finds his chauvinistic ideals compromised further when he starts falling in love with her. Fuelled by Ferrell's singularly loopy persona, ANCHORMAN joins the long list of comedies which have successfully poked fun at the styles and mores of the '70s. Here, with Ferrell's script and Adam McKay's direction, the character of Ron Burgundy becomes a full-bodied comic creation whose possibilities for laughs aren't nearly exhausted by the end credits. The result is an often hilarious celebration of moustaches, wide neckties, alcohol abuse, and good, old-fashioned sexism.

Customer Reviews

It's all very silly humour but you can't help but laugh at it
Although billed as a film about a 1970s TV news team, in many ways this film is simply a load of very funny comic sketches joined together into the format of a film. The central plot is very light at best and is really just a vehicle for Will Ferrell's off-the-wall humour. Ferrell and the rest of the cast are all in their element delivering a mixture of satire and slap stick, with some very offbeat but hilarious moments, the news team spontaneously breaking out into an a capella rendition of "Afternoon Delight" being particularly memorable.

Some of the comedy is at times quite childish and a few jokes do fall flat, but there are so many other laugh out loud moments that you almost don't notice the more unfunny jokes.

If you like Will Ferrell you'll definitely like this film, if you're not a Ferrell fan then this may not be your cup of tea, but as an off-the-wall comedy I'd still recommend it.

The 70's are fun!
With all the bad fashion, bad hair and bad catch phrases you could ever want this film serves up every cliche associated with a classic 70's flick.

Scenes like the jazz flute playing exlpoits of Ron, the tampering of the autocue and the fight scene between rival news teams really are silly beyond belief.

Thoroughly recommended.

Gets slightly better as it goes along
Starts off completely devoid of laughs, but builds up to be moderately entertaining. Steve Carell is noteworthy as a weatherman with an IQ of 48 who doesn't know his own name. Highlight is the multi-news team battle scene. Daft, but funny.