Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues

First Hit:  You’ve read it from me before and again here – I’ve got to stop seeing stupid inane Will Ferrell films.

This film is not only inane; it is not funny except in very few places. What’s worse is that not one character is interesting, nor is any one believable with a partial exception of Christina Applegate (as Ron Burgundy’s wife Veronica).

The depth of this film is about as deep as tissue paper.

The premise is that Burgundy (Ferrell) is fired from his news job, kicks around with different stuff but gets a chance to become part of a 24 hours news network. To make his program popular he reports car chases and the like.

At the end of the film, he admits that what he was reporting wasn’t really news and the same statement bodes for this film – what he is doing here isn't a film – it is a mess.

Ferrell is Ferrell there is no acting just him acting stupidly. Applegate was the only person on the screen that was remotely believable. Steve Carell (as Brick Tamland) is one of Burgundy’s news team is occasionally funny (owner of the most laughs in this film) but I don’t understand why he would take a role like this. Paul Rudd (as Brian Fantana) as another one of Burgundy’s team, is wasted. David Koechner (as Champ Kind) as the last of Burgundy’s team is also a wasted role. Kristen Wiig in a small role as Tamland’s newly found girlfriend was OK and engaging. Will Ferrell and Adam McKay wrote this sophomoric script and McKay directed this mess, messily.

Overall:  I need to stay home and not see Ferrell films as they ARE a waste of my time.

Get Smart

First Hit: I couldn’t tell if it wanted to be an action film or a comedy.

I use to enjoy the television program by the same name because it was very campy and tongue in cheek.

However, this film never seemed to find traction in any genre. It wasn’t campy, it wasn’t tongue in cheek, nor was it a serious action film. It virtually had no identity.

The overall premise is the KAOS wants to blackmail the U.S. for $200,000,000,000.00 (A very large sum but actually less than we’re spending on our current engagement in Iraq and Afghanistan). If they do not get this money they will set off nuclear devices all over the world, including the U.S.

The U.S. scoffs at this threat and CONTROLL decides it might know how to find out who is making this threat and if it is real. Maxwell Smart (played by Steve Carell) along with Agent 99 (played by Anne Hathaway) are assigned by CONTROLL to find the source of the weapons. They play their roles a little bit too seriously, or the writing and direction didn’t let the actors breathe into the campy fun part of the real Get Smart. However, at least Maxwell and Agent 99 do get to show their affection for each other, which was a nice touch.

A couple of funny bits are played out by Dwayne Johnson as Agent 23 and David Koechner playing Larabee. Terence Stamp playing KAOS’ Siegfried appears as a straight part all the way and there could have been much more done with some of the gizmos to add some lightheartedness and campy nature to this endeavor.

Overall: Mediocre film, which never found its footing in action, comedy or satyr. It could have been a wonderfully funny reflection of our bumbling government’s secret services, but instead it just fell flat.