ViewGuide

Created Apr 05, 2012 03:52PM PST • Edited Apr 05, 2012 03:53PM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Very Good 3.5

   More SNL than it should be, Anchorman nonetheless lives up to its legend as a modern comedy classic. Snarky humor aside, it’s almost as fun watching it now to pick out the bit players who have gone on to comedy stardom – Paul Rudd, Steve Carell, Seth Rogen and Vince Vaughn among them.

   Jason says the movie gets funnier with multiple viewings. “By the beard of Zeus!”

   “Stay classy, San Diego.”

4. Acting

   Very Good 3.5

   Will Ferrell is ideal as Ron Burgundy, the 21st century Ted Baxter. A platoon of comedy heavy hitters backs him up.

   • Christina Applegate as the only sane person and the only female in the newsroom.
   • Paul Rudd as a macho, self-infatuated reporter. Rudd does better when he plays nice guys, as in Our Idiot Brother and I Love You, Man.
   • Steve Carell as a clueless weatherman.
   • David Koechner as the sportscaster. Kind of a letdown really.
   • Fred Willard as the ignorant news director. Willard never gives a bad comedic performance.
   • Chris Parnell as an obsequious assistant.
   • Fred Armisen as a restauranteur.

   Cameos include Jude Apatow, Ben Stiller, Jerry Stiller, Jack Black, Seth Rogen, Tim Robbins, Luke Wilson and Vince Vaughn.

   Narration by real newsman Bill Kurtis, who has no doubt met a few Ron Burgundy’s in his life.

5. Male Stars Great 4.0

6. Female Stars Very Good 3.5

7. Female Costars Good 3.0

8. Male Costars Good 3.0

10. Film

    Good 3.0

11. Direction OK 2.5

12. Play Great 4.0

    Want quotable comedy? The IMDb Memorable Quotes overfloweth

13. Music Very Good 3.5

14. Visuals Good 3.0
15. Content

16. Edge

    Risqué 1.7

17. Sex Titillating 1.6

18. Violence Gentle 1.0

19. Rudeness Salty 2.5

21. Reality

    Glib 1.4

22. Circumstantial Glib 1.6

23. Biological Glib 1.3

24. Physical Glib 1.3