Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues

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Release Date: December 18th 2013

With the 70s behind him, San Diego's top rated newsman, Ron Burgundy, returns to take New York's first 24-hour news channel by storm.

Director: Adam McKay (The Other Guys, Step Brothers, Anchroman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy)

Starring: Will Ferrell, Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, David Koechner, Christina Applegate, Kristen Wiig, Greg Kinnear, James Marsden

Back in 2004, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy was unique and flawless. There really was nothing like it. Like all Will Ferrell films, you'll either love it or hate it (I love it). 'It's a cult film that you'll never understand' some would say. I agree that it's different, but it comes with a comedy style that's trial and error. Director Adam McKay and writer Will Ferrell have taken on board what the fans enjoyed about The Legend, but have gone over-the-top with The Legend Continues. There are some outstanding parts but also many unforgettable ones, or at least ones that you'll want to forget.

After being sacked by Mack Tannen (Harrison Ford, the first of many enjoyable cameos) as co-host on the World News channel, Ron Burgundy (Ferrell) has lapsed in to a state of depression, and later loses his job at the San Diego Dolphin World for inappropriately touching a starfish.

Ron is approached by Gary (Kinnear) a news scout who wants him on a completely new channel, the 24 Hour News. Ron sets out to reunite his old news team ('NEWS TEAM.... ASSEMBLE!!!). Sports reporter Champ (Koechner), news pundit turned photographer Brian (Rudd) and alleged dead man Brick (Carell) are back and as charismatic as ever.

The news channel cannot be taken seriously by all anchors on board because they believe that no one would watch the news at any time of the day. When Ron and the team find out that they are on the late night/early morning slot, and get roped into a bet to see who gets the most viewers by arrogant competitor Jack Lime (Marsden), they establish a different kind of news.    

The gags take off right from the start, and peak in the centre of the film. An array of tasteless jokes end up being the most amusing. A moment where Ron is introduced to new-found love interest's (and the head of the new channel) family and attempts to fit in is very memorable.

Old jokes are often reused, some with open arms, others with unbearable exaggeration (Ron's flute, Brian's secret cupboard). Brick is stupid as ever, and is joined by just as idiotic Chani (Wiig) who he takes a very childish liking to. At times they are undeniably comical together, but I can't help thinking the outrageous antics could have been better subtle, as it takes away that feeling of comic harmony that the majority of the film has. Champ is still boring and is given nothing to do but at least Paul Rudd can keep up the pace as Brian Fantana.

A sequence near the end of the film is out of place and clunky. Ron is centre stage here, as an accident has left him trying to put the pieces back together of his family. This whole section would be better off edited out and clocks the film closer to two hours. 

Overview: The Legend Continues for me is very much hit and miss. Cameo appearances (in exactly the same manner as TLORB) by a huge roster of A-list celebrities goes without saying that it's legendary.