“I wanna go fast,” shouts Ricky Bobby, the hottest driver in NASCAR. He’s played by Will Ferrell, arguably the hottest comedic movie actor today. Bobby has everything a guy could want – a hot wife, a humongous mansion, and all the fast food he desires.

But, then, things turn upside down with the arrival of Frenchie racer Jean Girard, played by Sacha Baron Cohen, best known previously for his voice role of the lemur king in the movie Madagascar.

Following a fiery accident, Bobby is reduced to a fear-ridden wreck by snooty and intimidating Girard. The moment he checks out of the hospital, Bobby loses everything to his best bud and fellow fool Cal Naughton Jr., played by John C. Riley, who has made a great acting career out of playing losers. Now he must race his way back to the top and beat Girard. ’Cause as Ricky Bobby always says, “If ya ain’t first, you're last!”

Talladega Nights is the biggest bucketful of crude humor ever created, and I don’t mean that as an insult. You’ll laugh so hard that your sides will ache.

Directed by Adam McKay, perhaps best known for directing Anchorman, this comedy is a box office hit. However, it does contain significant amounts of bathroom language and a few other adult concepts. Among them is a bit of gay humor and a sexual scene in a bar that is mostly hidden. The movie, which came out on DVD on Aug. 4, 2006 is rated PG-13. An unrated and uncut version is available too. Extra features include movie bloopers and a description of race car special effects.

At the beginning, the movie is hard to follow because it jumps from Bobby being born to being a kid in a classroom and then suddenly to him as a grown man at a race track. However, soon it all comes together. Adam McKay’s directing is flawless, from making the accidents look so realistic to the way he helped the actors relate with one another to make viewers laugh.

There are a few unexpected twists and turns throughout the movie – quite a few of which were hilarious. Ferrell’s crazy hair combined with his funny down-home, southern country accent makes a winning formula.

Full of racing action, drama, and bathroom humor, Talladega Nights is a must-see film, especially for boys ages 11-7.

But don’t take my word for it. Watch it yourself!

Posted 3-10-2007

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