Anchorman - The Legend of Ron Burgundy

n ‘70s San Diego, the local affiliate’s plan to hire Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate), throws a wrench into the macho sanctity of Channel 4 TV news team. But just when lead anchor Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell) has set himself firmly against Veronica’s presence in the newsroom, he finds himself strangely drawn to her, and amid the battle of the sexes, love blossoms.

Storywise, that’s pretty much all that “Anchorman” has going. Farrell co-wrote the screenplay with director Adam McKay, a former Saturday Night Live head writer, and, rather than a sustained story, “Anchorman” is a series of dubiously connected comic skits, celebrity cameos, and slapstick gags. There’s plenty to laugh at in this randomly funny film, but there’s not much else. Farrell—who’s been very funny in sketch comedy and as a supporting actor—hasn’t quite learned what to do with a lead role.

There are some funny outtakes that play over the end credits—make sure to stay for those if you see this one in the theater. Otherwise, wait for the DVD—there are a lot of scenes in the trailers that didn’t make the final cut—maybe the version that will be released on the DVD will be a better movie.

Matt Parks