Anchorman

After last week's semi-serious "Fahrenheit 9/11", I needed some comic levity. There are certain comedies where you see so many previews for such an extended period that you begin to fear you have seen all the funny parts before the movie comes out. I had this concern with Will Ferrell's soon-to-be-hit "Anchorman". Fear not! "Anchorman" is a riotous comedy, with incredibly random bits, not only "anchored" by Will Ferrell but backed by a comically genius supporting cast with countless cameos that will surprise you.

Ferrell is Ron Burgundy, a news anchorman for a local San Diego television station in the 1970s, a time before women were allowed to do the news and when the local anchor was the most admired man in town. The news team, who apparently shop at the same polyester outlet as Burgundy, not only support the anchor, but also are Ron's best friends. While Paul Rudd as man-on-the-street Brian Fantana and David Koechner as sportscaster Champ Kind are great, watch for Steve Carrell as weatherman Brick Tamland to steal nearly every scene he's in. Trouble enters the news team's lives when the network decides to have a woman, Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate), join them in the newscast. Ron and the boys work to get her out, while she struggles to work her way in.

"Anchorman" is in the same comedy vein as "Old School" and "Dodge Ball"; dumb stuff that is just flat out funny. Yes, it's also rude and crude at times, and once or twice somewhat shocking in its audacity. The numerous cameos, all of which I and most of the theater had been unaware of, fully added to the story. I won't give away names, but some of the funniest people in movies, along with one more serious, show up throughout the course of this tale. Need a good hearty laugh? "Anchorman" is not only your must-see movie this weekend it may also be considered the funniest of the summer season. I give it an A.

"Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy" is rated PG-13 with a running time of 91 minutes.