By the chest stubble of Neil Diamond!!!
I exclaim in such a Ron Burgundy fashion out of sadness. Out of exasperation. Out of great, soulful pain brought on by Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues.
I am bereaved to report that this sequel to what some may argue is a modern classic is outright bad. Not bad meaning good but bad meaning not good.
The funny to not funny ratio runs about 3:7. 3 funny bits to 7 not funny bits leaving a gaping hole of non-laughter sitting right in the heart of the film. And even when the bits insight a positive response, you will likely more chuckle or guffaw than bellow. Sadness.
Anchorman 2 was developed with the heightening approach of comedy sequel making where as long as the next chapter is bigger it has to be funnier. See: Austin Powers: The Spy who Shagged Me or Teen Wolf 2 as examples. Now instead of San Diego as the backdrop we get New York City. Bigger in both square footage and population. Instead of Will Ferrell falling in love with one beautiful and talented Christina Applegate we get Will Ferrell juggling two women, one beautiful and talented Christina Applegate and one stiff and unfunny Meagan Good. Instead of a nicely paced 104 minute running time you get 119 minute long movie that creeps to the end at a sluggish pace.
And we get more Steve Carell as the barely functioning Brick Tamland. You get a sense watching the film that as Carell’s star has risen in the years since the original Anchorman he used his clout to get more screen time. It’s a mistake. Brick is good in small, tiny doses when in a group. His solo scenes with Kristen Wiig as the equally mentally dim love interest, Chani, are one note and boring. And repetitive. And repetitive.
Bits are brought over from the first film and repeated. The guys seem half-invested and, yes, the Dodge commercials are funnier than the actual film.
Then there is the racist humor that goes on for too long when Ron and the boys find out they will be working for a black woman. This stuff is dated and actually just uncomfortable to watch. Another thing they got wrong in this disappointing outing.