Image Credit: Macall Polay/Columbia TristarAs I was walking back from the theater after seeing Will Ferrell’s newest comedy The Other Guys – yes, we do walk in Los Angeles – I couldn’t help but compare the film to Ferrell’s previous comedies. Like Owen Gleiberman in his review, I also really enjoyed how buttoned-down and (almost) normal Ferrell’s Allen Gamble was in comparison to the manic man-children he so often plays in movies like Step Brothers and Blades of Glory. Watching Ferrell keep his antic id all buttoned up made the brief moments when it did explode out of him that much funnier. And audiences appear to agree, giving Ferrell his second-highest opening weekend ever to the tune of a cool $35.6 million.
But the movie that remains Ferrell’s most successful, 2006′s Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, also remains for me the gold standard of Ferrell comedies. There’s something just gloriously larger-than-life about Ferrell’s NASCAR buffoon Ricky Bobby — the “sweet baby Jesus” scene alone kills me, and let’s face it, John C. Reilly is a far sharper comic foil for Ferrell than Mark Wahlberg, who kept acting in The Other Guys like he was vaguely aware the joke was on him but couldn’t quite figure out how or why.
But what’s your favorite Will Ferrell comedy? Vote in the poll after the jump (I only included comedies in which Ferrell was an above-the-title lead), and then sound off in the message boards.
Anchorman or Other Guys? Too close to call.
I KNOW! Anchorman is so delightfully charged with zany one-liners and non-sequiturs and great tug-and-pull performances from Ferrell and Christina Applegate. The Other Guys is a smarter comedy in which it almost seems like a comedian got stuck in the middle of an action movie and it’s hilarious to watch.
I give the vote to Other Guys for the pure fact that Ferrell got Mark Wahlberg to loosen the tie a crack a few jokes.
Anyone who voted for Elf is a complete moron.
Anyone who posts their full name on message board is a complete moron.
Devin Faraci is a moron.
Upset that Stranger than Fiction isn’t on there.
Yes. This.
I completely agree! Stranger Than Fiction may not have fit the usual mold, but it was a far more creative and interesting movie than any of those listed above. Adam needs to explain why it was not included.
“Stranger Than Fiction” maybe doesn’t belong on this list. It’s in a whole ‘nother class. It is not only the best Will Farrell move ever, but definitely in my overall Top 10. Maggie G., Queen Latifah, Emma Thompson, Tony Hale, Dustin Hoffman and Will all deserve to get “flours.”
“Stranger Than Fiction” is my favorite Will Ferrell movie and one of my favorite comedies period.
Yes, stranger than fiction, where is it? It’s a comedy!
Indeed.
Stranger than Fiction showed that Ferrell can act very well but it is not a laugh your a-ss of comedy.
Anchorman: Perhaps the funniest movie in the history of the world. Boy, that escalated quickly….
thinking the exact same thing, went with anchorman though.
I firmly believe that Anchorman is the Casablanca of this generation.
I was going to say The Godfather of this generation, but Casablanca works just as well. Anchorman has a quote for just about every situation in life.
agreed
Exactly. People who don’t like it are little fairy boys.
well you have bad hair!
Well you’re a whore. Why don’t you go back to your home on Whore Island?
I love lamp.
Do you really love the lamp, or are you just saying it because you saw it?
This burrito’s good….but it’s filling.
You ate a whole wheel of cheese? I’m not even mad, I’m impressed.
Where is Old School? That’s what I’d have voted for. I ended up choosing Anchorman.
Gonna find my baby, gonna hold her tight
gonna grab some afternoon delight.
My motto’s always been; when it’s right, it’s right.
Why wait until the middle of a cold dark night.
When everything’s a little clearer in the light of day.
And you know the night is always gonna be there any way.
Sky rockets in flight. Afternoon delight. Afternoon delight.
Thinkin’ of you’s workin’ up my appetite
looking forward to a little afternoon delight.
Rubbin’ sticks and stones together makes the sparks ingite
and the thought of rubbin’ you is getting so exciting.
Sky rockets in flight. Afternoon delight. Afternoon delight.
OMG this is the most awesome statement EVER. I couldn’t have said it better myself. If I had been drinking milk while reading it, it would have shot out my nose. But it’s too damn hot. Milk was a bad choice.
I’M IN A GLASS CASE OF EMOTION!
Elf is easily the best film on this list – it has a heart that none of the others do while still being laugh out loud funny
I completely agree. Last Christmas as I was watching it for the umpteenth time (I’ll play it in the background while baking cookies or whatever), I decided Elf is not only one of my favorite Christmas movies but just one of my favorite movies period. Even though I know all of the jokes, I still laugh out loud at sooo many of them.
Uh Anchorman definitely has heart!
No, Anchorman does not have heart. The love story is funny, not sweet.
Elf is a film for kids and idiots.
you’re a dumbass
What’s wrong, Devin? Did an elf pee in your cornflakes this morning? Why the hate?
He’s an angry elf
Hahahhahahaha…for real.
I love Anchorman. In fact, I am going to watch it right now. I put it on every night as I fall asleep.
I voted for Anchorman, but Elf and Talladega Nights come very close for me. I haven’t seen The Other Guys yet, but I’m looking forward to seeing it later this week.
And even though it’s not technically a “Will Ferrell comedy,” I also have a place in my heart for Old School.
Anchorman will always be my favorite. What puts it over the top is the supporting cast and the chemistry between them.
Yeah, if I really think about it, a lot of the best stuff doesn’t come from Ferrell.
anchorman is priceless. but elf and kicking & screaming are awesome too.
Anchorman is my all-time favorite comedy on that list. Step Brothers is getting better and better on repeat viewings. I’m seeing The Other Guys tomorrow but I doubt Mark Wahlberg can bring more laughs then then the Anchorman supporting cast that is Paul Rudd and Steve Carrell. With all the positive buzz though, if the movie comes even remotely close to being as funny as Anchorman, I will be quite pleased.
ITA. Step Brothers does seem to get better every time. I also fell in love with Adam Scott after he belted out “Sweet Child O’ Mine”.
I’m sad they’re not making an Anchorman sequel. We need it. I need it. I’m a mess without it. I miss it’s scent; I miss it’s musk. When all this gets sorted out, I think we should get an apartment together.
Umm…hello? Old School? Best Will Ferrell movie ever. And though it’s really not a Will Ferrell movie, but his scenes in Wedding Crashers were some of his best work.
“MA!!!! Meatloaf!!!!!”
I couldn’t believe they didn’t have Old School listed. He is one of the 3 leads in that movie. Old School destroys every movie on this list. I also absolutely loved him in Wedding Crashers… funeral crashing just rocks. If I’m limited to this list I’d say Elf, The Other Guys, and Anchorman.
Absolutely! Old School? The needle in the neck makes me laugh until I pee! The Wedding Crashers? Will Ferrell brings the 2nd half of that movie back to life.
Based on this list, I’d say it’s a tie between “Elf” (NOT only for children and idiots–it’s hilarious AND has a lot of heart, plus Zooey Deschanel’s gorgeous voice) & “Anchorman”, although Steve Carrell and Tim Robbins steal the scenes they’re in.
i’m not voting if old school isn’t on there. i love elf, but i consider that a “new holiday classic” and not a traditional “comedy.”
Yeah, I couldn’t understand the absence of “Old School”, which would have been my vote.
Since it isn’t there, I voted for “Anchorman”.
“WERE’RE GOING STREAKING!!!!”
Bring your green hat!
Yep. I’d have voted for Old school. Easily the funniest. I ended up voting for Anchorman because I thought it was the second funniest, though I like Elf enough that I own the DVD. (Hey, I think we have Old School too)
Anchorman hands down! Elf a close second.
Elf hands down! Anchorman a close second. Seriously.
Anchorman. How is this a question? “I immediately regret this decision!”
comedy wise, its elf for me. overall, its stranger than fiction. one of my favorite movies of the 21st century
Hell yes, Amber. Stranger Than Fiction is my all-time fave.
YESSSSSS. I thought Will gave a fantastic performance in Stranger Than Fiction!
Yep. Stranger Than Fiction is the best Will Ferrell movie. Elf, the best WF comedy.
If it’s not a comedy, then it wouldn’t be the best Will Ferrell comedy, right?
I read the post and thought, “What the…?? Anchorman by a mile! Then Elf in second.”
Glad to know others agree.
Same here, that was my pick but I was surprised that it’s number one. It’s by far his best movie though, absolutely hilarious.
My vote goes to Talladega Nights. Anchorman is great for the first hour but the last 20 or 30 minutes for me are not all that funny. Old School is so overrated just like The Hangover. I definitely agree that Step Brothers does get better on repeat viewings. Not really a Will Ferrell movie but I will say the best he’s been in has been Wedding Crashers.
lol dude. u need to get out of the basement and live. If you thought Anchorman wasn’t funny, you must have the driest personality ever.
Ha ha women suck! Eva Mendes is so ugly, ha ha! If you don’t like this movie you are a tampon!
Yeah, best movie ever…