Wake Up, Ron Burgundy: The Lost Movie

fans of Ron, brace yourselves, because he's back. While the movie lacks direction (since it was put together on such short notice) the channel4 news crew is as funny as ever, and we can ask ourselves why some of these outtakes didn't make the first cut. For example the scene where the crew is stuck on the mountain and almost resorts to cannibalism is hilarious, and Brick remains the same street smart guy in a world he never made. Although we miss guest star appearances from "frat pack" members, Ron Burgundy is as proud, macho and funny as ever. At some points though, the cuts seem really fake: they show scenes from the first movie with added narration to cover the new subplot, which, by the way is awesome because it gives up the "rip the lid" sequence, which is probably the funniest in the movie.

This film is a must see for anyone who wet his pants watching "Anchorman".

Could "Anchorman" have been funnier had it been allowed to stretch itself out beyond the two-hour limits of a commercially-minded comedy? Here's a chance for us "Anchorman" lovers to find out.

In "Wake-Up Ron Burgundy", we see San Diego's Channel 4 news team in action once again. Ron (Will Ferrell) struggles with love and jealousy as co-anchor Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate) achieves her dream of big-time success. Meanwhile, their little world is threatened by the emergence of the incompetent but very radical terror cell who calls themselves "The Alarm Clock". When Veronica is captured by this gang, it's up to Ron and his buddies to save the day.

No use getting too excited about that long-discussed "Anchorman" sequel: This is strictly outtakes from the first movie, with some clever editing disguising the fact that Ron and Veronica are meeting here once again for the first time. Better you think of this as an alternate-reality "Anchorman" than a real sequel.

Narrator Bill Kurtis puts it in perspective in his opening narration. What we are about to see, he explains, is "the chaff from the wheat, the skim from the milk, the pudding from the all-you-can-eat lobster buffet, and the surgeon guy from Prince and the Revolution."

What "Wake-Up" really is is a chance to see Ferrell and his co-writer/director Adam McKay working even more of their creepy-funny comedy vibe. Scenes in "Anchorman" could stretch on a bit, but made their point. Here, they stretch on beyond that point, then stretch further.

Ron needs a moment to compose himself on-air while reading a tender story about a Japanese devil owl, then another, and then another. "A lot of emotion here," he says, tearing up.

A creepy mentor figure, Jess Moondragon (Chad Everett) pops up to offer no meaningful advice for Ron, but plenty of lustful rumination on what he'd like to do to Mother Nature - "things you can only do in Bangkok."

Such scenes work as goofier riffs on ideas from the first film, but with a rub. Watching Ron and Veronica's awkward first date a second time isn't so killer with a long sequence showcasing Ron's driving skills replacing his mastery of the jazz flute.

Because it's all outtakes, however skillfully put together, there's story gaps galore and rehashed gags from the first movie with slightly different blocking. The Alarm Clock angle works in bits, but is too thin to serve as a framing device. The character build-up that made "Anchorman" so immersive is shortchanged here. Most of that made the first film.

Fans of Champ Kind (Dave Koechner) will enjoy the wild man acting even wilder here; one moment he's a raving homosexual, five minutes later he's a raging cannibal. Brick Tamland (Steve Carell) lunches on used coffee filters. In addition to Everett (his send-up of the serenely sleazy Moondragon aided by a strong late-career resemblance to Clint Eastwood), there's a brief killer cameo from Stephen Root as a fill-in anchor.

Like I said, it's all sweet stuff if you're an "Anchorman" lover. But it's definitely not the sleeper classic "Anchorman" has become. It's definitely more self-indulgent in its humor and fitful in its direction. "Wake-Up" shows that in addition to being frightfully clever, the people behind "Anchorman" had a lot of sense in where to trim.

This film is definitely worth checking out if you were a fan of the theatrical film "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy." This feature seems to be made of cut footage from the first movie, including a complete alternate ending for the original film. In many ways, this second ending makes more sense from a writing standpoint, as many things that are introduced early on in the script (that are funny on their own, don't get me wrong) come back in the dramatic conclusion.

The only flaw in this feature is that it tries to pass itself off a sequel, instead of cut footage, and it doesn't quite work. Then again, if you can suspend your disbelief -- that concept becomes pretty funny, as well.

Chock full of great material from Will Ferrell, this film also gives some more screen time for Paul Rudd, Steve Carell, and David Koechner. Justin Long (Dodgeball) even makes an appearance.

Great stuff... although it starts to raise the question - how much money did they spend on this movie? Enjoy folks!

Goulet.

i loved 'Anchorman' and it took me a long time to find 'Wake up' after i found out there was such a movie. i enjoyed it, although it is really worse than Anchorman, but you should always keep in mind that (the official story) this is a 'movie' compiled of scenes unrealized from the original movie as well as alternative subplots. having this in mind just take it lightly and enjoy it, as there are some genuinely hilarious scenes that will wet your pants with laughter. still 'wake up, Ron burgundy' isn't in a form to be considered a movie on its own, as it only works as a supplement to 'anchorman:the story of Ron burgundy' - just a way of the team to have some more fun filming some crazy ideas, and for the viewers to enjoy The News team some more

i enjoyed it :)

peace

Instead of just including the deleted/alternate scenes of "Anchorman", the producers edited them together into a brand new movie. Even though there is new narration explaining how it is a sequel, it is very clear to anyone watching that many of the scenes are alternate versions of scenes in the original film. The main plot (which is most likely a discarded subplot from the original) involves a pacifist gang called the alarm clock, whose members include Maya Rudolph (SNL), and Amy Poehler (Upright Citizens Brigade, SNL) is also in the film. This movie is not as funny as the original, and moves a bit slower, but all together it is worth seeing if you liked the original.