Talladega Nights: The Ballad Of Ricky Bobby (2006) Movie Information:

Talladega Nights: The Ballad Of Ricky Bobby (2006) Directed by: Adam McKay Talladega Nights: The Ballad Of Ricky Bobby (2006) Written by: Will Ferrell, Adam McKay Talladega Nights: The Ballad Of Ricky Bobby (2006) Cast: Leslie Bibb, Sascha Baron Cohen, Gary Cole, Michael Clarke Duncan, Will Ferrell, Jane Lynch, John C. Reilly

Talladega Nights: The Ballad Of Ricky Bobby (2006) U.S. Distributor: Columbia Pictures Talladega Nights: The Ballad Of Ricky Bobby (2006) U.K. Distributor: Sony Pictures

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Talladega Nights: The Ballad Of Ricky Bobby (2006) Synopsis:

The film tells the story of NASCAR stock car racing sensation Ricky Bobby (Will Ferrell) whose "win at all costs" approach has made him a national hero. He and his loyal racing partner, childhood friend Cal Naughton Jr. (John C. Reilly), are a fearless duo -- dubbed "Thunder" and "Lightning" by their fans for their ability to finish so many races in the #1 and #2 positions, with Cal always in second place. When a flamboyant French Formula One driver, Jean Girard (Sacha Baron Cohen), challenges the "Thunder" and "Lightning" 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.

Talladega Nights: The Ballad Of Ricky Bobby (2006) Movie Review:

From the team that brought us Anchorman, here's another goofy comedy that pokes gentle fun at just about everything. Set in the world of stock car racing, it's charming and often funny, but it also drags badly and never makes much of its characters.

Ricky Bobby (Ferrell), born in what looks like a yee-haw Dukes of Hazzard episode, has always wanted to go fast. So it's natural that, with a lucky break or two, he becomes a Nascar champion with his best buddy (Reilly) at his side. He marries a sexy fan (Bibb), has a couple of kids, keeps his sponsor (Germann) happy. Then, of course, it all goes wrong and he's forced to reconnect with his parents (Lynch and Cole), rediscover his passion and face his arch-nemesis, the French ponce Jean Girard (Cohen).

The film takes off with a flurry of corny gags that amusingly poke fun at everyday things like, for example, what age we imagine Jesus to be when we say grace. The script is packed with hilariously telling bits of comedy, such as Ricky's sons being named Walker and Texas Ranger ("If we'd wanted wusses, we'd have named them Dr Quinn and Medicine Woman"). Essentially, everyone in this film is slow-witted, homophobic and racist.

Fortunately, the film is so relentlessly stupid that we can't take it seriously. Which makes the story's earnest moralising deeply pointless. And very dull. Even the sharp cast can't quite rescue the film once it falls into a gloomy funk. Ferrell creates his usual likeable goombah, although he's pricklier than usual. Reilly is terrific as the loyal but thoughtless guy who genuinely hasn't a clue. Cohen steals the film as wonderfully slithery Eurotrash.

The racing scenes are especially well-filmed--exciting and energetic, with lots of fabulous crashes. And the warped, absurd moments continually catch us off guard. You can't help but love Ricky's assistant's (Adams) rousing inspirational speech at the end. Or the 1980s power rock song score. Or the ridiculous closing credit scenes. But you also wish the writers had given us something to grab hold of.

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Talladega Nights: The Ballad Of Ricky Bobby (2006) review written by: Rich Cline