MovieChat Forums > Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004) Discussion > Why I love this movie

Why I love this movie

posted 12 years ago by january_zh
6 replies | jump to latest

I saw a few posts about why some people think this movie is not funny, thought I'd post about why I think it IS funny.

I didn't find the movie particularly funny on first viewing, and I can see why it wouldn't suit everyone's sense of humour because it is indeed silly, ridiculous and sometimes non-sensical.

It took me a second viewing a few years later to actually appreciate the humour.

First of all, this movie is satirical in nature, it mocks the concept of sexism, as well as narrow & simple minded people by exaggerating on how stupid it is/they are. As a result, the movie may appear 'stupid' or 'silly', because, well, that's what it is (successfully) depicting! Because of this, I think of this movie as more than just another silly comedy, but one that actually has, more or less, some depth and meaning to it, and I appreciate that aspect of the movie.

Secondly, there are so many great one liners and quote in there, I often find myself can't help but quote Anchorman when it's fitting (one example, 60% of the time it works everytime).

Thirdly, the insults in this movie are great, if I could learn all of it, I would use them all the time! (as a joke of course) They are, as some might call it, ridiculous. Some of the insults are not insulting at all, or are so over the top that it is more funny than offensive, and that's what's great about them, that they are not actually insulting if you can appreciate the 'ridiculous' sense of humour!

Ultimately not everyone will appreciate it, you really need to have a specific kind of sense of humour to like this movie.

P.S. I saw someone posted that they preferred Step Brothers over Anchorman. I mean, really? I didn't like Step Brothers at all. But anyway, don't we all have our preferences.

[–] marka99-1 12 years ago

"First of all, this movie is satirical in nature, it mocks the concept of sexism, as well as narrow & simple minded people by exaggerating on how stupid it is/they are."

Archie Bunker in a nutshell. It's funny how many people don't get this type of humor. I don't think Anchorman is very funny at all (2 viewings here 6 years apart) but I agree with people not getting that type of humor.

"There ain't nuthin' wrong with this car, boss."

[–] andrewsk8s 12 years ago

This is my favourite of the Will Ferrell parody comedies (basketball, NASCAR, figure skating, political campaigns, etc). Perhaps some of the parody-type humour is lost on most of today's audiences, but that is exactly what I find so funny about it, that this movie spot on captured that feel of a circa 1970s ultra-macho, all-male news team and such egregious chauvinism and sexual harassment was still openly practiced. The mustaches, the thick polyester suits with wide neckties, the eye-watering colognes, the Starland Vocal Band, all those little details brought back memories of this (not necessarily good) time period.

[–] teenymaureeny 11 years ago

This is my favorite Will Ferrell movie! I know every line in it too! It never gets boring and I can always count on it for a good laugh.

Christina Applegate was also fantastic in this!

2 cute 2 listen!

[–] baran_erik 10 years ago

It's not the "parody comedy" that people don't like, but the stupidity of Farrell's schtick.

[–] josephnatescott 9 years ago

"First of all, this movie is satirical in nature" Yeah. People who don't get this movie, you won't get Undercover Brother either: "Dave Chappelle's character is so dumb."

[–] jamotide 9 years ago

You think someone doesn't get that it is satire and parody? Of course it is, everyone understands, it is just not very good satire. There is no subtlety, the jokes are braindead. The only funny comes from the sheer insane over the top absurdity, for example Steve Carrel was so crazy that is was somewhat amusing. The actors were all good, but the script was terrible.