Sidewalks On The Corner

"Sidewalks" has two reviews of the Will Ferrell film, which opened nationwide on August 4, 2006.

MOVIE REVIEW #1 by Sidewalks' Justin Langston

Do you like NASCAR racing? Do You like Will Ferrell? Would you like to see a film staring Will Ferrell about NASCAR racing? Fans will want to race to the theaters to see this "Days of Thunder" on laughing gas comedy. In this hilarious flick, “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby,” Will Ferrell is the famous and infamous Ricky Bobby.

As a young boy, all Ricky wanted to do was to become a race car driver and go fast just like his dear old dad Reese Bobby (Gary Cole, “The Brady Bunch Movie”). He finally realizes his dream, while working on a pit crew as a "jackman", for driver Terry Cheveaux (Adam McKay). Terry takes himself out of the race, during a pit stop, for a bathroom break and a chicken sandwich. Needing a new driver to finish the race, Ricky's gets behind-the-wheel and his dream was born.

This is Will Ferrell's first starring role; he also has a hand in writing and producing the movie along side writer/producer/director/actor Adam McKay who has a love for NASCAR.

Ferrell is followed by an all-star cast which includes John C. Reilly (“Gangs of New York,” “The Aviator”) who plays teammate and incompetent best friend of Ricky Bobby. Reilly is right at home in comedies and does his character justice, with stupid one liners and a hillbilly attitude. Reese Bobby (Cole) is the runaway bum of a father figure, trying to "steer" Ricky in the right direction and whips him into shape to get back in the driver’s seat once again. It's pretty unusual to see Michael Clarke Duncan (“The Green Mile,” “Sin City”) in a comedic role since most of his previous films are dramas. Duncan plays Lucius Washington, a pit crew chief that supports Ricky Bobby at any cost. He does a decent job though he could use some pointers from the pros. Greg Germann (TV’s “Ally McBeal”) is the cunning Larry Dennit Jr., who plots to sabotage Ricky by bringing in a new driver, Jean Girard (Sacha Baron Cohen, TV’s "Da Ali G Show" and movie “Ali G Indahouse”). Molly Shannon (“Saturday Night Live,” “Super Star”) has an almost forgettable role as wife of Larry Dennit, Jr.

If you're a serious race fan, the racing scenes are fast enough to satisfy even the most enthusiastic race fanatic. Over all this is Will Ferrell's funniest since "Old School" and will stand up with its competition like "Little Man". A go see.

MOVIE REVIEW #2 by Sidewalks' executive producer Richard R. Lee

Assuming you already read Justin Langston’s review of “Talladega Nights,” I won’t go into details about the cast.

I have to admit I’m almost a 40-year old virgin when it comes to Will Ferrell’s movies. I never seen him in the films “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy” and “Old School,” but I found him laughable during his years on NBC's “Saturday Night Live.” I had no advance expectation on how or if Ferrell could carry a movie on his own.

The newly-leaned Ferrell does a good job in playing wannabe racer Ricky Bobby, who wanted to follow in his deadbeat dad’s (played by Gary Cole) career as a racer. This movie could have easily played as a drama, but since this is a Will Ferrell movie, comedy it is with many one-liners and silly gimmicks to keep the film moving.

The beginning of the film saw Ricky getting his chance to go behind-the-wheel in a race after the driver (played by the film’s co-writer and director Adam McKay) decides to take a long pit stop with a delicious chicken sandwich. Ricky’s first semi-race was a success, and he soon finds himself the talk of the town in the NASCAR circuit. Ricky’s rise to fame came suddenly with a new personal lifestyle that includes money, a big house, a wife (the beautiful Leslie Bibb, best known for the TV series “Popular” and currently NBC's "Crossing Jordan") and two bad mouthed kids (named Walker and Texas Ranger, played by Houston Tumlin and Grayson Russell). Ricky’s childhood friend, the sometime clueless Cal Naughton, Jr. (John C. Reilly), continues to be by Ricky’s side through all of this as a pit stop worker and fellow driver.

As the film progress, Ricky begins to lose his rich and comfortable world: the owner’s son (Greg Germann), who despised Ricky, hires another hotshot driver, gay Frenchman Jean Girard (the film’s scene stealer Sacha Baron Cohen); Ricky has a serious crash that makes him scared to drive fast; Ricky losing his wife to best bud Cal; and Ricky moving -- with kids in tow -- back to his mother’s (Jane Lynch) house and taking a job a pizza delivery boy (or in this case, man).

The middle of the film moves a little slow. Scenes with Ferrell becoming so-called paralyzed in a wheel chair and his fears of driving do not have much impact. Additionally, the character of Ricky’s father, who carries a beer in almost every scene, is so one dimensional that it looks like any TV show episode when a loved one returns into someone’s life (“I wasn’t there for you because…”). The ending is stronger with a couple of surprises that were not expected.

The movie has great NASCAR racing scenes. The action is quick, and the special effects make the actors look like they are behind the wheel (except for Cohen’s scenes when he drinking tea or reading a book while racing). To make the film feel realistic, advertisers and hundreds of product placement get their face time in this film, too (restaurant chain Applebee’s gets major acknowledgements), as well as FOX's, ESPN's and NBC's on-air announcers getting their chance to call the action in the booth and on the track.

Ferrell’s and Reilly’s best friends relationship and the appearance of Cohen’s Girard are the strongest part of the film’s characters. Ferrell’s sons are hilarious with the vulgarity, and Bibb is great to look at (as well as Amy Adams, who plays assistant Susan, especially during a restaurant scene. Makeup does make a difference sometimes). Unfortunately, cameos appearances by “Saturday Night Live’s” Molly Shannon and Conan O’Brien’s former sidekick Andy Richter are wasted in the film.

Off hand, don't leave the film so quickly when the end credits appear. There are hilarious blooper scenes and silly standups from the cast.

Overall, if you are looking for a good laugh, this film won’t make you feel like you lost $40 (assuming you buy two adult tickets and two large popcorn and drinks). Go to the theatre to see the great racing scenes (and, for some of you, the chance to see Ferrell in his jockeys not once – but twice) on the big screen. If not, buy or rent the DVD when it comes out. You won't waste 105 minutes of your life.

Production: Sony Pictures
Rated: PG-13 for crude and sexual humor, language, drug references and brief comic violence
Directed by: Adam McKay
Written by: Will Ferrell and Adam McKay
Cast: Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, Sacha Baron Cohen, Gary Cole, Michael Clarke Duncan