DVD Corner

Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy 4K UHD Review

“Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy” still holds up 20 years later. 

Written by Adam McKay and Will Ferrell, “Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy” revolves around the titular star Channel 4 news anchor in San Diego in the year 1974. Ron is joined by Champ Kind (sports anchor), Brick Tamland (the weatherman) and Brian Fantana (the field reporter). Together they’re a tight-knit team who love to party. The men’s club (as it were) is thrown into chaos when reporter Veronica Corningstone joins the team. She wants to be seen as a professional journalist and dreams to become an anchor, but her male co-workers do not take her seriously. Instead, she is the frequent target of misogyny and unwanted advances. Veronica does, however, begin to develop a relationship with Ron, but the relationship soon implodes due to Ron’s toxic behavior. Can Ron redeem himself and patch things up with Veronica?

Before he went on to direct more political and biographical fare, Adam McKay directed his best work with the hilarious “Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy.” While the Judd Apatow produced 2004 comedy is filled with oddball humor like Sex Panther, the talking dog Baxter, the Jazz Flute musical sequence, the news team brawl, and the climactic bear fight, ‘Anchorman’ manages to offer up a lot more than laughs as it intelligently addresses sexism, societal change and toxic masculinity within the framework of the story. It’s a comedy that actually has something to say and it still feels fresh all these years later. At the same time, the movie is also uproariously funny thanks to the endlessly quotable dialogue and Ferrell’s Ron Burgundy character (which is easily his best creation to date). Burgundy could have easily been one-note, but Ferrell and McKay make him a fully formed character who does grow despite his limited intelligence.

‘Anchorman’ is also noteworthy for its all-star cast (which includes some big cameos) featuring Will Ferrell (obviously), Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, David Koechner, Fred Willard, Vince Vaughn, Christina Applegate, Jack Black, Luke Wilson, Tim Robbins, Ben Stiller, and Danny Trejo. Ferrell has most of the best scenes, but Carell steals the show as the dim-witted Brick.

Note: The 4K disc only contains the theatrical cut while the Blu-ray contains the theatrical and extended cuts. 

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 1.85:1 2160p. How does it look? There’s been a great string of 4K catalogue releases as of late and ‘Anchorman’ can be added to this list. This is another supremely impressive upgrade from a picture quality perspective.

Audio Track: 5.1 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? Expect a quality 5.1 track.

Extras:
* Blu-ray copy and Digital copy
* “Wake Up, Ron Burgundy”- A direct to home video movie that is infinitely better than the dreadful “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues.”
* Intro by Will Ferrell and Aaron Zimmerman.
* Teaser, trailer and TV spot.
* “Commercial Break”- Behind-the-scenes footage
* Rehearsals
* Cast auditions for Christina Applegate, David Koechner, Paul Rudd, Steve Carell, Fred Armisen, Maya Rudolph, Kevin Corrigan, Justin Long and alternate universe (5 alternate castings).
* A 6/2/03 table read.
* “Playback Video”- In character segments.
* Interviews with Rebecca Romijin, Jim Caviezel and Burt Reynolds.
* Cinemax and Comedy Central Anchorman Specials along with “A Conversation With Ron Burgundy.”
* “Happy Birthday AMC Loews” message from Ron Burgundy.
* “Afternoon Delight” recording session.
* Raw footage “Good Takes.”
* “Award Speech”- A 1970 Emmy speech from Ron Burgundy.
* 5 PSAs.
* Commentary by Adam McKay, Will Ferrell, Lou Rawls, Andy Richter, Kyle Gass, Paul Rudd, David Koechner, and Christina Applegate.
* Bloopers
* 36 deleted/extended scenes
* “Afternoon Delight” music video.
* ESPN SportsCenter Audition Ron Burgundy.

July 2, 2024 - Posted by nicklyons1 | 4K UHD Review | Adam McKay, Anchorman, Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy 4K UHD Review, Comedy, Paul Rudd, Steve Carell, Will Ferrell