Preview: Anchorman: The Legend Continues

Will Ferrell has been talking up a sequel to the brilliant Anchorman for a few years now and it is finally here. Sequels, and especially comedy sequels, are often disappointing in comparison to the originals, as they can be shifted out too quickly. This does not seem to be the case with Anchorman: The Legend Continues as it is clearly a project close to Ferrell’s and the director’s (Adam McKay) hearts. Its predecessor is one of the most quoted films around, so there is a lot to live up to.

In Anchorman we left the news team winning back over San Diego and ending the 70’s on top. In the gap between the first film and the new film the gang have split up and have hit rock bottom, without a hope to bring them out. This is until a 24-hour news channel is being put together in New York, and our heroes are recruited back into the game. The aim: stay classy and do not self-destruct. Easier said than done.

The whole team is back with Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell), weather man Brick Tamland (Steve Carell), man on the street Brian Fantana (Paul Rudd) and sports guy Champ Kind (David Koechner). Burgundy’s now wife Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate) also returns and is stirring up more screen time trouble for Ron. Everyone seems to have slipped back into their roles with ease and there are some hints to the first film within the trailers. Director Adam McKay has promised another musical number (Afternoon Delight in the first) and even more screen time for Brick, with a love interest mooted.

Will Ferrell will revel once again under a breathable script by Adam McKay that will allow the performers to improvise. The comedy of Anchorman is at its natural best when the actors have moments to riff and test each other to see how far they can take an idea. There were so many golden outtakes from the first film they made a spin off Wake Up, Ron Burgundy: The Lost Movie. There are rumors flying round that the film will be cameo-galore and hopefully this won’t try to imbed itself into the film too much. The odd “look who it is” is fun, but hopefully it will be necessary and not just gaining some egotistical screen time.

For fans of the first film this has been long awaited and no doubt Anchorman: The Legend Continues will be quoted in every public place possible after its release.

Hits cinemas 20^th December and is kind of a big deal.