Les nuits de Talladega - La ballade de Ricky Bobby

Will Ferrell at his best.

Seriously… Here, Ferrell plays a good ole country boy with rocks for brains and only one worry in the world and that's winning. Sound like a familiar past TV character of his? Ferrell is also a Writer on this film with Director Adam McKay, who together have made a solid comedy team since those SNL days, including 2004's "Anchor Man." But standing just as tall in this picture is the surprising man-about-town, Mr. Sasha Cohen (Borat, Ali G, Bruno) as Ricky Bobby's French nemesis, Jean Girard. This guy is such a great character actor it was difficult to even spot him at first. But who else would be brave enough to kiss Ferrell on the lips?

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If you're in the right mood, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby is absolutely hilarious. This NASCAR parody takes plenty of laps around the track of ridiculousness in order to get some laughs. It's obvious that Adam McKay just let the actors do and say whatever they wanted take after take until he found something he thought was funny. And there are plenty of quotable moments from this movie. That being said, this movie is an acquired taste, and the outlandish story & acting are sure to annoy some. I was glad to ride with Ricky Bobby once again, but I didn't find it as funny as I used to.

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Rikcy Bobby is an incredible comedy that's gleefully stupid whilst also cleverly mocking the tropes and conventions of racing dramas. Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly are both incredible and have fantastic chemistry. Sacha Baron Cohen, Jane Lynch, Gary Cole and Michael Clarke Duncan are all great. It's consistently extremely funny even if a few jokes don't land. It's also well paced and Adam McKay's direction is excellent. Both the music by Alex Wurman and the soundtrack are really good.

Will Ferrell and John C Reilly at their best. Arguably the two's greatest collaboration in the fierce, fast and extremely funny Talladega Nights, which teaches us all, in life, if you ain't first... you're last.

Ricky, a NASCAR racing sensation, is the number one racer in the world. After Jean beats him in a race and becomes the top racer, Ricky tries to regain his dominance.

The full title adding 'The Ballad of Ricky Bobby' - Talladega Nights referencing the city of Alabama and its famous Superspeedway, a landmark of NASCAR racing and a site where champions are made. Will Ferrell and Adam McKay (whom also directs) write the film; the script is hilarious, unforgettable scenes are overrun by unforgettable lines in what will have you attempting to ask someone what is the "capital of North Carolina" in a rich Eastern American accent - the writing matches the enthusiasm of all the cast, a signature role for Jack McBrayer and David Koechner as well as Sacha Baron Cohen and Amy Adams showing their versatility in acting alongside Ferrell and Reilly who seemingly bounce off one another and the vibrancy on screen appears almost improvised.

The storyline is lacking any severe quality, but ultimately, it has no right to, the film advertises a comedy and it successfully makes an audience laugh while also keeping them engrossed in the picture. The anti-climax of Gary Cole's return to Jane Lynch and the grandkids, as well as Amy Adams' rise to prominence prove comforting and sentimental moves that even surprise us viewers, but what doesn't, is that McKay and Ferrell strike a beauty - one of their finest, one of a kind.

108 minutes of sensational entertainment.

This movie does something that is rarely done successfully done, pokes fun at the modern NASCAR circuit. Without detailing all the gags, this is pure fun which doesn't offend the tastes too often. Will Farrell is patently absurd as Ricky Bobby & the support he receives in this film from the entire cast is excellent. Gary Cole is very solid as Ricky's dad, & so is Jane Lynch as his mom. Amy Adams is solid too. In fact, the entire cast including John C. Reilly seems to have been fit into their roles like gloves.

Sasha Cohen comes off better in this as Ricky Bobbys French nemesis than he does in even Borat. He is used perfectly & fits his role really well. The story line works really well as the evolution from speed too shake & bake too magic man & me helps keep the film focused on something besides the jokes. There is just enough plot to hang the jokes on.

The script is lots of fun with references to lots of things besides NASCAR & Sex (which is all too often the only thing done as comedy today). This film proves that outrageous is much better than sex when done right as comedy. Thank goodness this is much better than the ill conceived BETWITCHED Farrell did in 2005. This film is really an excellent showcase for everyone involved. If your a NASCAR fan, you should even get some extra fun out of this one.

Get ready for the checkered flag Ricky Booby, this film is a winner all the way.