Talladega Nights: The Ballad Of Ricky Bobby

Follow @empiremagazine

Forum Home

Register for Free!

Log In

Moderator Tickets

FAQ

Users Online

Talladega Nights: The Ballad Of Ricky Bobby

Logged in as: Guest

Printable Version

All Forums >> [Film Forums] >> Film Reviews >> Talladega Nights: The Ballad Of Ricky Bobby

Page: [1] 2 next > >>

Message

<< Older Topic Newer Topic >>

Talladega Nights: The Ballad Of Ricky Bobby - 12/9/2006 2:29:40 AM

Empire Admin

Posts: 26334
Joined: 29/6/2005

Post your comments on this article

Post #: 1

RE: TALLADEGA NIGHTS: THE BALLAD OF RICKY BOBBY - 13/9/2006 6:48:43 PM

doncopey1

Posts: 4981
Joined: 29/11/2005
From: Liverpool: Age 25

I'm slightly unsure if i should see this movie or not. Empire gave it * * if i'm remembering right, Total Film gave it a whopping * * * * * whilst hotdog gave it * * *. Quite abig range in verditcs if you ask me. I like Ferrell but i'm not hopping mad on him like some people are. So i may be back to give my review lol

_____________________________

"Fake is as old as the Eden tree." Orson Welles

Post #: 2

- 13/9/2006 8:09:27 PM

zalus

Posts: 9
Joined: 15/12/2005

what's wrong with you people?! this is unquestionably the very best comedy of the year. loved every single second of it.

(in reply to Empire Admin)

Post #: 3

- 13/9/2006 8:09:30 PM

zalus

Posts: 9
Joined: 15/12/2005

what's wrong with you people?! this is unquestionably the very best comedy of the year. loved every single second of it.

(in reply to Empire Admin)

Post #: 4

RE: - 13/9/2006 10:52:17 PM

Indio

Posts: 7132
Joined: 3/10/2005
From: London

Hmm, I don't know about best comedy of the year, I've seen Borat too and I'd say that just edges it. Talladega is a funny film, but I was just a teensy bit disappointed, I didn't think it was as good as Anchorman.

John C. Reilly was great, but he seemed to go missing about 2 thirds of the way through the film and then only turn up right at the end. There were also a few too many moments were the jokes fell flat, but my main gripe is that while actors like Gary Cole and Michael Clarke Duncan gave funny performances, they weren't in the same league as those of Steve Carell and Paul Rudd from Anchorman. The fact that David Koechner makes a couple of appearances where he is wasted only seemed to drive this point home.

But maybe I'm griping a bit too much, its still a funny film and worth checking out (unless you REALLY hate Will Ferrell).

_____________________________

'Think about the future.'

(in reply to zalus)

Post #: 5

RE: Talladega Nights: The Ballad Of Ricky Bobby - 14/9/2006 3:45:56 PM

joemanji

Posts: 282
Joined: 26/1/2006
From: Scunthorpe

Disappointing. Empire is nearer the mark than Total Film - that 5 star review is way wide of the mark. Whilst there are some funny moments and a couple of belly laughs, all of them appear in the trailer. In fact, the trailer has a gag that has been cut from the film, meaning that a two minute trailer actually has more jokes than the entire two hour film.

The real problem with the film, however, is that half way through it simple stops being funny. Much like The Wedding Crashers, the comedy is left behind whilst we instead get to see the characters resolving their various familial issues. Unfortunately, the characters in Talladega Nights are so unlikeable that you are soon left wishing the film would just hurry up and finish.

From the outakes shown during the credits, you get the impression that a lot of funny material was filmed, and yet little of it makes the final cut. A lot of very talented actors are underused, from David Koechner to Amy Adams, and the film's problems must surely be blamed upon the director and whoever else took responsibility for the final edit. Far, far too many racing and crowd montages and not enough actual film.

From anyone else this would get 3 stars from me, but because it is Ferrell and because you can tell that they have actually cut funny scenes to put in more "serious" character development, it drops a mark.

2/5

(in reply to Empire Admin)

Post #: 6

TALLADEGA NIGHTS - 14/9/2006 8:46:47 PM

felix sore foot

Posts: 322
Joined: 21/7/2006
From: Renfrewshire

There's been an annoying trend of late that comedies of this ilk, whereas they used to clock neatly in at 90 minutes tops, are now stretching near the 2 hr mark. There's at least 15 minutes of this that could easily have been left on the "sweep up & add to the DVD" floor. Some of the jokes that were barely humourous 1st time(i.e. the "i'm on fire" sketch) are repeated and not to good effect. Will Ferrel is 1 guy you don't need to see too often in his underwear. That said, it's entertaining enough that the jokes that don't quite work are shortly followed up by ones that do. The cast are great, the kids suitably irritating and the car sequences well executed. No Anchorman, but no disgrace either.

(in reply to Empire Admin)

Post #: 7

RE: TALLADEGA NIGHTS - 14/9/2006 10:50:31 PM

DJ Rob C: Mark II!

Posts: 34808
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: Christmas town

Whilst this ain't Anchorman, I can't really see where this stopped being funny... sure there are gaps for development, but theres no point where the laughter completely grinds to a halt...

Laugh out loud funny for most of the duration, with a great cast thats widely different to past movies, so whilst Koechner is present, no Carrell, Rudd, Stiller, Black or Wilson... but John C Reilly, Sacha Baron, Gary Cole and Michael Clarke Duncan are all very good and funny, whilst Ricky's kids are priceless aswell...

No complete and utter masterpiece, but damn fun all the way through...

4/5

_____________________________

When Gotham is ashes, you have my permission to die

Third Highest Post Count on the Forum, sad but proud!

(in reply to felix sore foot)

Post #: 8

RE: TALLADEGA NIGHTS - 15/9/2006 12:12:03 AM

Monkey Wrench

Posts: 671
Joined: 6/5/2006

I thought this film was HILARIOUS. I was holding my sides. Fecking awesome. Sacha Baron Cohen was fantastic, as was John C. Reilly. Ferrell was on top form, script, plot, action sequences: brilliant. Had a great time watching this film. One of my most favoured viewings of this year.

_____________________________

Who put the brakes on courage?

(in reply to DJ Rob C: Mark II!)

Post #: 9

RE: TALLADEGA NIGHTS - 15/9/2006 1:15:35 AM

stuieboy

Posts: 2239
Joined: 1/11/2005

No Anchorman or 40 Year Old Virgin but far superior to Wedding Crashers or The Break Up. Took a while to get going but once it did it met my expectations...and Gary Cole is fucking hilarious!!

_____________________________

"When a naked man is chasing a woman through an alley with a butcher's knife and a hard-on, I figure he isn't out collecting for the Red Cross!"

(in reply to Monkey Wrench)

Post #: 10

Pure Brillance - 15/9/2006 4:01:15 AM

ron burgandy

Posts: 11
Joined: 9/8/2006

Papa Burgandy has done it again, the whole cinema was wetting themselves. Take spare underwear......... just in case.

(in reply to Empire Admin)

Post #: 11

- 15/9/2006 7:16:30 AM

skeletonjack

Posts: 1297
Joined: 30/9/2005

The Empire review is way off the mark here, Talladega Nights is is a very silly and very funny movie. You know what to expect before going in so just sit back and enjoy it. Whilst it doesn't scale the heights of AnchorMan there are enough funny moment to keep you laughing throughout, the audience I saw it with certainly seemed to love it.

(in reply to Empire Admin)

Post #: 12

RE: - 15/9/2006 11:13:12 AM

joemanji

Posts: 282
Joined: 26/1/2006
From: Scunthorpe

This is da best fillm eva!!!!!!!!!!!! I woz laffin so much dat my eyeballs popped out of my head!!!!!!!! LOLz I still laffed even wen da puss woz dribblin down my cheeks!!!!!! Wotch it, and Little Man tooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

6 stars!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(help me finger is glued to the exclamation mark key)!!!!!111111111111111111

(in reply to skeletonjack)

Post #: 13

RE: RE: - 15/9/2006 2:40:49 PM

Monkey Wrench

Posts: 671
Joined: 6/5/2006

quote:

ORIGINAL: joemanji

This is da best fillm eva!!!!!!!!!!!! I woz laffin so much dat my eyeballs popped out of my head!!!!!!!! LOLz I still laffed even wen da puss woz dribblin down my cheeks!!!!!! Wotch it, and Little Man tooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

6 stars!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(help me finger is glued to the exclamation mark key)!!!!!111111111111111111

Now, now Joemanji... No need to get antsy and pseudo-ironic/moronic just because people don't necessarily agree with your comprehensive, yet easily disagreeable argument. Come here and give me a cuddle and calm down a bit, sweet-pea. It's going to be okay. I'll give you my side of the fence so you can see where "those who like it" are coming from.

I thought the character development was fine, the switch between the Ferrell and Reilly's protagonist/friend, protagonist/antagonist relationship was a healthy move alongside the quite wonderful Sach Baron Cohen giving them both a boot to up their performances. Considering that I'd been in America for about 2 months before watching the film I thought the jokes were quite incisive jabs at the world of American NASCAR and its avid 75 million followers (mostly southern, obviously) who really are almost as ignorant and flat out weird as they come. The direction was spot on, even allowing the odd action sequence to take you by surprise: who would have thought that McKay would have the sand to manipulate the "car flying through the air" follow shot across the racetrack. Stunning for the guy who came from SNL to the mainstream through character driven and situational features such as our favourite Anchorman. The kids were hilarious, and the ending was heartwarming. It wasn't maverick film making, but it was a side-splitting feature with some brilliant ad-lib performances reminiscent of those that made us love Will Ferrell in the first place. I had a larf, so did my woman and the rest of the audience. Not had a cinema comedy experience like it - the atmosphere was great. Nice one.

_____________________________

Who put the brakes on courage?

(in reply to joemanji)

Post #: 14

RE: RE: - 15/9/2006 9:05:24 PM

King Nate II

Posts: 265
Joined: 30/9/2005

2 stars? Dear sweet lord baby jesus, in his golden fleece blankie.

It's hilarious from start to finish, and Sacha Baron Cohen is quality, so there.

Go see it and laugh. (apologies for the shite review, can't be arsed right now)

4/5

_____________________________

" Remember, remember the fifth of November, the gunpowder, treason and plot. I see no reason the gunpowder treason should ever be forgot! "

Ron Burgundy is a god walking amongst mere mortals. So nyah.

(in reply to Monkey Wrench)

Post #: 15

2 Stars? Its easily the best comedy of the year! - 16/9/2006 6:46:18 PM

02PARSIM

Posts: 73
Joined: 6/9/2006
From: Ipswich

The 2 stars for this review that Empire gave it has baffled me. This is undoubtedly a 5 star movie and I have to say that Total Film's 5 star review was definately the more accurate review. This is a movie filled with hilarity and I highly recommen this to all fans of comedy!

I have been a Will Ferrel fan now for quite some time. While unfortunately I have never seen his Saturday Night Live antics I did immediately find him hilarious in the brilliant Zoolander. However, it was a while before I managed to see him on screen again. But then I went off to the cinema one Christmas to see the movie Elf. I liked the look of the trailers and as it was Christmas I was in the mood for something Christmassy. Elf re-introduced me to the brilliant Will Ferrel and since then it has been all systems go. Unfortunately though he does have a tendency to go for bit-parts in other people's comedies rather than hosting his own full on comedy. Thankfully he did this with Anchorman, a movie that has recentlly grown on me to an extent that I could call it one of the funniest movies I have ever seen! But then he had a recent series of failures, Kicking and Screaming seemed so limp and pathetic that I really had to turn it off halfway through it. Unfortunately he was also dragged into Bewithced, Bewitched had its moments, Nicole Kidman was fairly good and Will Ferrel alongside Steve Carrel again is comedic genious. But it always seemed on the verge of being funny, but never managed to get there. So what a huge relief it is to declare that Talladega Nights is definately one of Will Ferrel's best movies to date! A movie filled with ludicrous characters, over the top moments, scenes to make you cringe and non-stop hilarity.

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby basically is the same old story of a man who loves himself too much. Ricky Bobby was born to be the best driver in the world. He loves speed, he loves winning and unfortunately for the rest of us he's very much aware of it.

(in reply to Empire Admin)

Post #: 16

RE: 2 Stars? Its easily the best comedy of the year! - 17/9/2006 12:46:23 AM

Art Vandelay

Posts: 2232
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: Upton Park

After reading some of the reviews on this page, my anticipations were not that high; but thankfully, i was proved very wrong. Laughing throughout, with the exact kind of humour that i came to adore during my first view of Anchorman. Some jokes fell a little flat (the abusive sons) but others killed me inside (the final race...although i don't wanna ruin it for others). And though Will Ferrell was his usual hilarious self, i was most surprised by John C. Reilly, who produced some of the biggest laughs.
I can now only await the next film of one of my current favourite comedy duo's, Will Ferrel and Adam McKay.

_____________________________

Jamdodge1: The Burial - An epic and tragic tale of Lies, Betrayal, Redemption & jam on a 12 year old's head...

"Fuck! The cunts found us. Get the fucking rifle."

(in reply to 02PARSIM)

Post #: 17

- 17/9/2006 10:26:20 PM

coppers

Posts: 17
Joined: 3/10/2005

A dreadful film. In all my memory, I can not think of a worst film I have seen at the cinema!!!! Utter Shite!

(in reply to Empire Admin)

Post #: 18

The Worst Film I've Ever Seen (by a long way) - 19/9/2006 11:15:01 AM

DavidMBaker

Posts: 1
Joined: 19/9/2006

This is easiestly the worst film I have ever seen and I have seen a lot. All the 'jokes' aren't really funny and as mentioned before the ones that are close are all in the trailer so your already sick of them by the time you see the film. Apart from them the film relies on anti-gay, anti-disabled, sexism, volgur youths to try and create laughs and in my case I just found it offensive. Not to mention the plot is ridiculous and some of their ideas on what wouldn't stop a race are absurd. The entire field but 2 cars crashes and they only yellow flag it I think not. Then the ending were the people who actually crossed the line in first and second are disqualified for having got out of their cars. Funny I think all the people in the crashed cars have gotten out too. Even if you have seen all the other films at your local cinema I suggest you give this one a miss. I'm worried about the people who actually found this film funny and don't think a film should really be promoting these sorts of feelings. In my opinion this ranks alongside trash such as Jackass which I can only think teenagers find appealing. It was even worse than 'The Wannabies' which was my previous worse. Certainly a lot worse than Bewitched and not up to the standard of the other films that are out.

(in reply to Empire Admin)

Post #: 19

RE: The Worst Film I've Ever Seen (by a long way) - 20/9/2006 9:52:30 PM

boot

Posts: 431
Joined: 24/2/2006

steady on there, what were you expecting "A bout du Souffle"? its a pretty crash lightweight film, and yes it is absurd, Will Ferrells films tend to have a sense of absurdity, silliness and some vulgarity about 'em, thats what people (of all ages) like. anyways, of course thats your opinion and its as true and as fair as anyones. personally, i enjoyed it, laughed quite a bit, though i thought Cohen was pretty rubbish. his scenes mostly dragged and he just wasnt funny. John C Reilly was excellent, and Ferrell was enjoyable as usual - though Frank the Tank is still my fave of his - not gonna change the world, but i was feeling very shitty before hand and it cheered me up nicely.

(in reply to DavidMBaker)

Post #: 20

- 21/9/2006 8:32:36 AM

Richy T

Posts: 21
Joined: 1/5/2006
From: Walsall

Still good and there are worse ways to pass 2 hours but it was yet another frat pack movie where all the good jokes were in the trailer or advert, dunno why I went to the cinema when I could have downloaded the trailer from iTunes and had the same experience!

(in reply to Empire Admin)

Post #: 21

RE: The Worst Film I've Ever Seen (by a long way) - 21/9/2006 1:35:47 PM

Monkey Wrench

Posts: 671
Joined: 6/5/2006

quote:

ORIGINAL: DavidMBaker

This is easiestly the worst film I have ever seen and I have seen a lot. All the 'jokes' aren't really funny and as mentioned before the ones that are close are all in the trailer so your already sick of them by the time you see the film. Apart from them the film relies on anti-gay, anti-disabled, sexism, volgur youths to try and create laughs and in my case I just found it offensive. Not to mention the plot is ridiculous and some of their ideas on what wouldn't stop a race are absurd. The entire field but 2 cars crashes and they only yellow flag it I think not. Then the ending were the people who actually crossed the line in first and second are disqualified for having got out of their cars. Funny I think all the people in the crashed cars have gotten out too. Even if you have seen all the other films at your local cinema I suggest you give this one a miss. I'm worried about the people who actually found this film funny and don't think a film should really be promoting these sorts of feelings. In my opinion this ranks alongside trash such as Jackass which I can only think teenagers find appealing. It was even worse than 'The Wannabies' which was my previous worse. Certainly a lot worse than Bewitched and not up to the standard of the other films that are out.

My God your senetence structure is awful. Sorry, but this fellow is being utterely pedantic and I felt it only necessary to balance out the energies of the universe and comment. Willingly suspend your disbelief, my good cinematic patron, meld into its conventions and you might enjoy it a little more. Merely picking at its moral standings (which aren't that bad at all, really) is vulgar in itself. Maybe understanding possible subtexts rather than flat out add libbing and dick jokes might be more appropriate too? Are you part of the whole "Mothers And Fathers Against Crude, Dispicable, Unflattering And Possibly Corruptible Art" society (The MAFACDUAPCAS)? Hold on, are you their appointed leader? You naughty little thing! Come out and tell us! It's you isn't it, you naughty little devil! You're a cheeky little one, aren't you!

_____________________________

Who put the brakes on courage?

(in reply to DavidMBaker)

Post #: 22

talledega nights - 29/9/2006 11:43:09 PM

orn-free-tada

Posts: 12
Joined: 4/10/2005

Usually comedies are meant to make you laugh. I went to see this last night with a friend and shes a very 'laughy' person and a big will farrel fan. even she didn't laugh at this film.... apart from the grace scene at the beggining debating which 'Jesus' to say grace to. apart from that it wasn't a good/ Funny film

(in reply to Empire Admin)

Post #: 23

much better than empires two stars - 30/9/2006 3:53:51 PM

moviemaniac2

Posts: 525
Joined: 17/9/2006

I would't be the biggest Will Ferrell fan- but this is by far his best fil to date much better than the in-joke that was Anchorman. a great supporting role from Gary Cole as his wayward father, and John C Reilly is grat as his equally dumb racing partner. A very funny dumb movie

(in reply to Empire Admin)

Post #: 24

RE: much better than empires two stars - 2/10/2006 8:00:16 PM

lord of the pies

Posts: 1253
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: The church of JJ

I didn't like it as much as I thought I would, I'm a big fan of Ferrell and I love Anchorman. Maybe thats the problem I'm having, constantly comparing it to Anchorman because Talladega Nights is nowhere near as funny. I smirked every now and then but I wasn't really enjoying it that much, and really good actors were wasted somewhat (Reilly, Sacha Baron Cohen).

A disappointment.

_____________________________

Join The Church of JJ today!

http://www.empireonline.com/forum/tm.asp?m=527670&mpage=23&key=&NID=0#2414995

(in reply to moviemaniac2)

Post #: 25

RE: much better than empires two stars - 3/10/2006 2:21:24 PM

Darth Vader

Posts: 147
Joined: 30/9/2005

Very very very disappointed. Hardly laughed at all. It was a case of trying too hard to be funny at times.

(in reply to lord of the pies)

Post #: 26

Talledage Nights - 5/10/2006 7:39:40 PM

premierbaron

Posts: 114
Joined: 11/2/2006
From: Boston

Disappointingly an average movie. It should drive by but instead stalls at severalhurdles. However, the comedy is perhaps the only thing keeping it together. Grade: B-

(in reply to Empire Admin)

Post #: 27

RE: Talledage Nights - 7/10/2006 2:44:35 PM

kingalan

Posts: 1127
Joined: 30/9/2005

I'm as shocked at some of the negative comments here as I was at Empire's frankly ludicrous review which was so far off the mark, I can only think they have some strange agenda and is further proof that Empire's finger slipped off the nub-of-credibilty years ago.

I thought this was funniest film of the year (so far), just pipping Clerks II. I was literally laughing every minute or so as was the rest of the cinema. It was pure, non-stop comedy gold. Every performance in it was fantastic, the set-pieces (both comic and action) were superb and overall a great comedy movie. Total Film's five-star review was spot-on. I'd even go as far as to say Talladega Nights had a much higher laugh-count than Anchorman. Mckay and Ferrell, bring on the next one.

< Message edited by kingalan -- 7/10/2006 2:45:53 PM >

(in reply to premierbaron)

Post #: 28

RE: Talledage Nights - 7/10/2006 6:38:04 PM

Paul2j

Posts: 107
Joined: 30/9/2005

Very, very funny in places. All the secondary characters are well-done, but we don't see enough of the love interest for my liking. Bobby's dad and best friend in particular are really well done. Wasn't expecting to see Michael Clarke Duncan at all. Duncan's 'shit a chicken' line and the car being covered in sponsers after the heartwarming speech were the funniest bits for me.

7/10

(in reply to kingalan)

Post #: 29

Simultaneously hilarious and disappointing - 7/10/2006 6:44:15 PM

britesparc

Posts: 1967
Joined: 3/10/2005
From: Manchester

Anchorman is a movie which just gets better and better the more you watch it. When it first came out, it felt marginally inferior to fellow Frat Pack fest Dodgeball. However, whilst Dodgeball is certainly a better movie – better plotted, with a proper story and stuff – it’s Anchorman which has become the bigger deal, widely quoted and responsible in the main for Will Ferrell’s AAA-status in Hollywood. With that in mind, Talledega Nights – a follow up in spirit if not in story to Anchorman – comes with a great deal of baggage. Sadly, it can’t quite live up to its legacy. Perhaps its just local differences; whilst most people are probably loosely familiar with NASCAR, its attendant media circus just ain’t as interesting, at least to British eyes, as the macho 70s newsroom. At its heart, Anchorman was a romance as much as anything: boorish Ron Burgundy falls in love with intelligent Veronica Corningstone and has to learn to amend his ways to win her heart. If Talledega Nights had as simple a hook at its centre, then perhaps the fact that its paraphernalia wasn’t as interesting wouldn’t have mattered. Unfortunately, Talledega Nights has, if anything, even less of a plot than its spiritual forebear. Ricky Bobby is a redneck idiot who lives to drive; when he loses his edge, he learns that winning isn’t everything, and becomes a better man/driver as a result. But it’s a fragmented narrative, frequently bringing characters into and out of focus as the battered plot demands; Amy Adams’ PA Susan is the biggest casualty, barely registering in a scene until she’s required to return as a love interest in the film’s final act. All this conspires to create a nagging doubt at the back of your mind as to the movie’s overall quality; it’s just not as good as you hoped it would be – and, frankly, there just aren’t as many jokes, and they don’t quite hit as often as you’d like. However, that’s not to say it’s not hilarious – it is, and it’s only going to get more so. Like Anchorman before it, this is really a DVD movie, to enjoy with mates, pizza, and booze. Potentially classic lines abound, with “I spread my butt cheeks as Mike Honcho” perhaps the standout (although the dinner table conversation about Jesus must be a future Classic Scene). And whilst some performances are slim and seemingly sacrificed in edit, it allows others to shine, and for once Ferrell is not among them. Reilly is brilliant as Ricky Bobby’s even dimmer mate; likewise Baron Cohen as Bobby’s gay French rival, who is so good that a major Hollywood career is a dead cert. However, best of all is Gary Cole as Ricky’s no-good deadbeat of a father, stealing every scene he’s in and making all manner of outrageous proclamations. He alone is worth the ticket price. Overall, then, it’s a somewhat disappointing cinema release, but certain to be a classic DVD.

(in reply to Empire Admin)

Post #: 30