Frequently Bought Together
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Reviews
From Amazon.co.uk
Sweet baby Jesus, we thank you for blessing Will Ferrell and Adam McKay with the talent to create a NASCAR comedy as hilarious as Talladega Nights. The so-called "Ballad of Ricky Bobby" is hardly flawless in fact it's not always firing on all cylinders but with comedy star Ferrell and director McKay still hot from the success of their previous comedy hit Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, most of this 108-minute spoof of oval-track racing is so knee-slappin' funny that you can't help but surrender to the stupidity.
Obviously, Ferrell's the shining star, and his portrayal of lead-footed pit-crew-member-turned-#1 NASCAR champion Ricky "I Wanna Go Fast" Bobby (how can you not love that name?) is spot-on perfect, righteously spoofing the entirety of NASCAR culture without insulting its oft-ridiculed roots in redneck bootlegging of a bygone era. You could even argue that Talladega Nights is truer to NASCAR than Tom Cruise's Days of Thunder, and it's certainly more entertaining, especially when you add John C. Reilly as Ricky's life-long pal, teammate, and eventual rival Cal Naughton, Jr. (together they're nicknamed "Shake 'n Bake"), and Sacha Baron Cohen (from Da Ali G Show and Borat) as gay French "Formula Un" driver-turned NASCAR rival Jean Girrard, to a stellar cast including Molly Shannon, Greg Germann, Amy Adams and Michael Clarke Duncan.
Sure, it's mostly a showcase for Ferrell's loud, over-the-top antics and nonsensical non sequiturs (like cameo appearances by Elvis Costello and Mos Def), but with Ferrell behind the wheel, Talladega Nights rolls into victory lane with fuel to spare, and there's one final bit of comedy (with a tip of the hat to William Faulkner) for those who sit through the credits. --Jeff Shannon
Product Description
Comedy starring Will Ferrell. NASCAR stock car racing sensation Ricky Bobby (Ferrell) is a national hero because of his 'win at all costs' approach. He and his loyal racing partner, childhood friend Cal Naughton Jr. (John C. Reilly), are a fearless duo known as 'Shake' and 'Bake' by their fans for their ability to finish so many races in the #1 and #2 positions, with Cal always in second place. When flamboyant French Formula One driver Jean Girard (Sacha Baron Cohen) challenges 'Shake' and 'Bake' for the supremacy of NASCAR, Ricky Bobby must face his own demons and fight Girard for the right to be known as racing's top driver.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 24 people found the following review helpful
By Alan P
Format:DVD
One of the best spoof movies I've ever seen. Will Ferrell's shallow good ole boy Ricky Bobby is a feckless idiot who rises from tyre changer in a no-hope NASCAR team to become the star driver of the circuit. Obsessed with winning after a throwaway comment by his deadbeat racer dad (brilliantly played by Gary Cole), and ignorant of his shallow, mutually empty relationships with his groupie wife, horrendous kids (named Walker and Texas Ranger) and equally thick best friend (John C Reilly), he finally hits the proverbial brick wall in the shape of Sacha Baron Cohen's star turn as Formula 1 Frenchman Jean Girard. Thus begins a slow rebuilding of his life and career - this time the "right" way... sort of!
Subtly sending up every "serious" film of this type (mainly Days of Thunder, Top Gun etc) and the real-life downhome ignorance of the redneck NASCAR following, this not only delivers on the gags (this film is truly hilarious) it also is remarkably smart at portraying the emptiness of the blue-collar sports star's life when faced with enormous fortune, media coverage and hero worship, and the fickle desertion of the hero when he hits skid row.
It is a spoof movie, but not in the sense of the Airplane or Scary Movie series - the movie has a real warmth and actually does tell a real human story in amongst the endless side-splitting gags. It also avoids the kind of schmaltzy American syrup-filled scenes of such films by throwing in the unexpected at each turn.
Worth seeing for Sacha Baron Cohen's performance alone, and Ricky Bobby's "grace" before their Pizza Hut and KFC dinner. If you're in the right mood this will have you crying!
Subtly sending up every "serious" film of this type (mainly Days of Thunder, Top Gun etc) and the real-life downhome ignorance of the redneck NASCAR following, this not only delivers on the gags (this film is truly hilarious) it also is remarkably smart at portraying the emptiness of the blue-collar sports star's life when faced with enormous fortune, media coverage and hero worship, and the fickle desertion of the hero when he hits skid row.
It is a spoof movie, but not in the sense of the Airplane or Scary Movie series - the movie has a real warmth and actually does tell a real human story in amongst the endless side-splitting gags. It also avoids the kind of schmaltzy American syrup-filled scenes of such films by throwing in the unexpected at each turn.
Worth seeing for Sacha Baron Cohen's performance alone, and Ricky Bobby's "grace" before their Pizza Hut and KFC dinner. If you're in the right mood this will have you crying!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By M. P. Barnes
Format:DVD
Ferrell is usually much funnier than this. It WAS funny in parts, and I DID laugh, but just not often enough. Some really good actors in it too...Gary ?Lucas? the guy from "Midnight Caller" didn't convince me as his "55" year old Dad. Cohen's accent WAS pants, but still a funny guy and a funny character. If you like Ferrell, you'll probably love it, if not, you probably won't. As I said, average fare.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I guess I was slightly suprised, like many other viewers it would appear, that this film has a slightly different approach to what we expect from Will Ferrell and the man himself, Borat. Based upon the NASCAR series of racing, the film is all in all, "good". Sacha Baron Cohen ('Borat') plays probably the funniest part of the film, as a gay French racing driver with possibly the funniest French accent i've heard to date. Will Ferrell meanwhile plays the lead role as a NASCAR driver who was brought up by his wacky dad to believe in the true to life American of "winning is the only option" (Lombardian Ethic) and so, as a grown man, he enjoys the highs of winnining his races while making millions, and sharing his house with the blonde bimbo, and spoilt children, who totally crack me up.
The reason this film has had mixed reviews is likely to be down to the content. Sometimes, jokes can maybe go on a bit too long, or the films breaks on long scenes, and then quickly move onto a different subject, just little things really. I think its also hard to establish what type of audience this is for, which is probably why people like it or hate it, as just like the film Zoolander, you can take it, or you can't.
But in my personal opinion, this is an entertaining film that has it moments, and should give you some good laughs.
The reason this film has had mixed reviews is likely to be down to the content. Sometimes, jokes can maybe go on a bit too long, or the films breaks on long scenes, and then quickly move onto a different subject, just little things really. I think its also hard to establish what type of audience this is for, which is probably why people like it or hate it, as just like the film Zoolander, you can take it, or you can't.
But in my personal opinion, this is an entertaining film that has it moments, and should give you some good laughs.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By A. Jones
Format:DVD
Talladega Nights has to be the best Will Ferrell film ever made, almost the best comedy film ever made.
I've seen 1000's of films, and this is by far one of the funniest i have ever seen!!
GO WILL FERRELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I've seen 1000's of films, and this is by far one of the funniest i have ever seen!!
GO WILL FERRELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Adam H.
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
A typical Will Ferrell and regular supporting cast ensemble that makes fun of the usual stereotypes around nascar and its fans.
While the type of humour associated with Will Ferrell and Sacha Baron Cohen is not for everybody, this movie is a must for fans.
Often people take a lot of the comedy in these types of films at face value, but both Will and Sacha are great at masking subtle stabs at society and it's own inane norms. This is where the true comedy lies!
While the type of humour associated with Will Ferrell and Sacha Baron Cohen is not for everybody, this movie is a must for fans.
Often people take a lot of the comedy in these types of films at face value, but both Will and Sacha are great at masking subtle stabs at society and it's own inane norms. This is where the true comedy lies!
By A Customer
Format:DVD
I was just getting into this movie, the characters had just got the plot moving, things were looking good, the atmosphere and the usual crazy WF and the great JR were just getting the flow of the story and characters set up ,everything was developing fine , and the wackiness was working, then Sacha Cohen makes his entrance ,destroys the whole thing, jumps you back into reality ,tries to steal the show, like a non actor on set ,wearing black to stand out. ( in itself this may sound funny, the usual SBC antics, like his on carpet publicity stunts he is at it again, and I concede it is funny, and but for one thing it would BE .
That one thing Is THIS ,, that HE RUINED the COMEDY IN THIS MOVIE AND DERAILED IT ,ruined all the hard work the actors had done getting the thing going , and made everyone became self aware.) INCLUDING ME!!!
I amazed just how bad sacha Cohen is, why does anyone let him near real movies?
If it was not for the fact he was not allowed to destroy the rest of the movie, I wouldn't have liked it at all and would have given it no stars, because one thing is certain when sacha is in any real movie, he destroys everything with the reality of his abilities, which don't lend themselves to anything dramatically fictional, even dramatic comedies.
one thing is obvious, sacha likes to be the only actor present, because it is how he works, he can only work amongst the public, fooling them or appearing to fool them at least.
That one thing Is THIS ,, that HE RUINED the COMEDY IN THIS MOVIE AND DERAILED IT ,ruined all the hard work the actors had done getting the thing going , and made everyone became self aware.) INCLUDING ME!!!
I amazed just how bad sacha Cohen is, why does anyone let him near real movies?
If it was not for the fact he was not allowed to destroy the rest of the movie, I wouldn't have liked it at all and would have given it no stars, because one thing is certain when sacha is in any real movie, he destroys everything with the reality of his abilities, which don't lend themselves to anything dramatically fictional, even dramatic comedies.
one thing is obvious, sacha likes to be the only actor present, because it is how he works, he can only work amongst the public, fooling them or appearing to fool them at least.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 358 reviews
3.4 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Given seller 5 stars but cant watch due to my own fault!
I am not familiar with the different regions and stupidly bought this - and I cant play it on my own players. Not the sellers fault of course so rating them 5 for quick despatch
Published 4 months ago by Margaret McInnes
5.0 out of 5 stars
Funny and Clever
Watched this with my son after seeing bits of it before and we both loved it. I think some people have missed the point of this with the product placement jokes and stereotypes. Read more
Published 6 months ago by S Finnerty
5.0 out of 5 stars
BEST MOVIE EVER MADE
BEST MOVIE EVER MADE
-"Ricky Bobby"
Great movie indeed... From the beginning to the end was hillarious!!!
Shake and Bake!
-"Ricky Bobby"
Great movie indeed... From the beginning to the end was hillarious!!!
Shake and Bake!
Published 8 months ago by yonpol
5.0 out of 5 stars
Didn't get it in the post.
Didn't arrive in the post, but alas, this isn't a review for the seller.
I got it elsewhere, and I love it. Read more
I got it elsewhere, and I love it. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Arron Rees
4.0 out of 5 stars
Talladega Nights
I think it's a fair bet to say that if you have enjoyed other Will Ferrell films, then you will also enjoy Talladega Nights. Read more
Published on 12 Sep 2010 by Spider Monkey
2.0 out of 5 stars
Not a classic by any means...
To like this film, you have to love Will Ferrell and everything he has to offer. For my taste it's too silly. Read more
Published on 12 Aug 2010 by N. J. Elcox
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great
Very funny film and awesome Blu ray quality. Very fast delivery and no problems at all.
Published on 4 Feb 2009 by S. Tower
4.0 out of 5 stars
Loads of laughs
I enjoyed this film and I'm not that easy to please. Loads of laughs and a great blu-ray picture as well. Lots of supporting characters assist Will Ferrell in this film. Read more
Published on 22 Jan 2009 by J. R. Wilson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Talledega Nights
To be honest I have seen clips of Will Ferrell's films and thought they looked a bit rubbish so I never gave it any of them a chance, I'd never even heard of this one until oct 08,... Read more
Published on 5 Jan 2009 by Gold Service Current Acc
2.0 out of 5 stars
The funny bits only just make it worthwhile
its not as good as anchorman - I found this tiresome in places and not knowing much about the culture surrounding NASCAR racing - some of the stereotypes i might not have fully... Read more
Published on 14 Oct 2008 by Mr. D. Thompson
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
![[Start the discussion]](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/02/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/start-new-discussion-sec._V192198663_.gif){kind=small}
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
