Actually, my girlfriend and I had recently enjoyed Blades of Glory at the theater. She especially enjoyed that. I enjoyed it, but didn’t quite get my fill of Will Ferrell being funny, so we rented Talledega the very next day. And to tell the truth, we’d seen the better film at the theatre.

For a film all about speed Talladega just moved too slowly. Yes, of course, there were funny bits. I laughed my butt off when Ferrell stabs himself with a knife. And the scene very early on where he doesn’t know what to do with his hands during an interview – I was screaming out laughing. But there was very little in between that garnished more than a smirk from me. Sacha Baron Cohen also appears, but even though Sacha is brilliant as Borat or Ali G – here, he’s simply bland.

That said, surprisingly, I think the film actually told an interesting story that could have been brought to life with dramatic impact had it been told straight. I mean, as is, it’s hard to understand what I’m talking about. But, had the film taken on a whole other tone, subtracted the French driver character and built up the bond/conflict between the buddies – this could have really rolled.

Oh, and it’s riddled with blatant product placement which will effect the over all grade.

-- Book Contest --