Critic Reviews

It is Ferrell's best movie and the summer's funniest comedy so far.

Will Ferrell does chicken-fried comedy right: with crackpot discipline and stripped-to-the-beer-belly courage.

Not just the funniest but the smartest comedy around by a mile.

Talladega Nights may be brash, unbridled, even unhinged, but its cornpone humor is rich in parody, and its craftsmanship is superb -- smart writing, shrewd direction, precisely calibrated performances (whether the calibration calls for delicacy or broad-gauge burlesque), inventive language, inspired silliness and all-but-flawless timing.

The races are scorchingly shot, and they lend the movie a zest.

Reilly can play nuts, too, and in a lower gear that reins Ferrell in. They're a great team.

Like "Anchorman," the secret to the inspired absurdity of Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby is in the improv.

The British star of "Ali G" fame plays Ricky Bobby's arch-nemesis. His name: Jean Girard. His provenance: France. His sponsor: Perrier. Speaking through a set of nasty-looking, tightly clenched teeth in the faux-est of faux French accents, Cohen is hilarious.

For the first half-hour or so, this thing works like white lightning.

Those who appreciate Ferrell's sense of humor will be utterly entertained by his efforts to kick it into high gear.