You're Welcome America: A Final Night with George W. Bush

If you don't find this funny then you either have no sense of humor what-so-ever or you're an up tight conservative that has that stick way too far up their a**! Will Ferrell has George Bush right on the money in this. Believe me, I'm no left-winged liberal by any means but seriously if you can't laugh at this then I don't know if I could classify you as human....I find Will Ferrell childish, yes. But I think he does it better than no one else. Adam Sandler for example is funny in a childish way but he doesn't get me rolling on the ground laughing like Ferrel has a tendency to do. I could see Bush supporters getting their panties in a bunch over this but needless to say most of the depictions of Bush in this film are hilarious and true. I suggest watching this movie, gets a good laugh.

So, my husband and I just came across this and my goodness, Will Ferrell's out of control and we loved it!

You either like Ferrell or you don't. His style of comedy is goofy, crude, obnoxious and physical. He holds no punches in this special and really tackles Bush's humorous flaws, fumbles and mannerisms. He talks about the Bush family, his college years, his administration and track record.

Was Bush the best president? NO. However, he was our leader during a trying time in American history and since I'm writing this review in 2023 and hindsight is notoriously 20/20, I can say we've had worse presidents.

I enjoyed it and saw it for the comedic parody it is. If you're gonna scrutinize it any deeper than that, it's probably not going to be a funny watch for you.

Will Ferrell is just an amazing actor. To take 8 years of American history on his shoulders in such a funny, awkward, shocking, detailed, eyes-opened, over-the-top, superb, state-of-the-art way is just a great pleasure to watch and a relief that the real life of Mr. Bush as a president is finally over. We just loved to watch Will doing George W. As a German viewer it increased my trust in America. I could not believe my eyes and ears that something like Will Ferrell did here would be ever possibly in USA. It is the second time the past years that my respect for America is back in order. The first time it hit me in a positive way that USA voted for a president (finally) who is black and open minded, and now for a second time Will Ferrell made it possible to understand and digest the live and times of the former president. After I have seen this show my hope for USA is full of best wishes and trust in the future. You're back on track....

It is really hard for me to judge this movie because it is politically charged, historically educational, and a rather scattered collection of lewd and extreme segments, all at once. The first two thirds were excellent and I laughed really hard and often. Much of what Farrel says about G.W. is both shocking and true, so there is some really valuable recent history delivered in a very entertaining way. No small feat. Some of the information was even shocking to learn and I had to look it up and always found that he was correct. I haven't looked up everything but I would bet that nearly everything he says that wasn't obviously a joke is completely true. The movie is very valuable for anyone who doesn't know much about G.W. or misremembers or just plain forgot.

Even though the first two thirds has some really hilarious parts, it is shot through with some serious material which I did not mind. The performance takes an abrupt and very serious turn for the final third. I was OK with that too but was sad that most of the laughs were gone. Still, I thought the latter material dragged on far too long. So if you don't watch the whole thing that is perfectly OK. Just know that the wrap-up and interaction with the audience at the end is precious.

You will either love this movie or love to hate it, so either way you win!

After what I thought was a rather slow start, Will Ferrell picked up steam in this largely one-man stage play about the life and times and presidency of George W. Bush - the 43rd, former but not too lamented president of the United States. It's sometimes crude (the penis thing was overdone), sometimes bewildering (I never really understood the reference to the time in Vermont with the guy whose name I forget) and some things went on too long (the "wipe that smirk off your face" gag near that weak start - yeah, it was part of the show, and the "giving audience members nicknames" became very tired very fast.) In spite of those weaknesses, though - and unless you're a rabid fan of Bush - this is pretty funny stuff. It really hits its stride once Bush is elected and the review of his presidency begins. There are some truly hilarious moments - the Condi Rice scene was great, as well as some of the Dick Cheney reflections - and even a more or less serious moment, when Ferrell's Bush reflects on those who've died as a result of the war in Iraq. There are a lot of just plain humorous and yet historical anecdotes (like reflections on the "coalition of the willing" - Morocco's offer to send trained monkeys to Iraq and the Solomon Islands joining - in spite of the fact that they have no army - as well as the whole anti-France "freedom fries" silliness.)

Ferrell's performance was pretty good. He had the Bush swagger down pat ("in Texas we call this walking!") and he looked and sounded the part pretty well, the voice leading to a humorous moment questioning why no one else in the entire Bush family has a Texas accent! Even if you are a Bush fan, watch it for what it is - poking fun at a guy who even conservatives would have to admit was a pretty controversial president. 8/10