The Will Ferrell Conundrum

I believe I have talked myself into seeing Talladega Nights: The Ballad Of Ricky Bobby. Now I think most people wouldn't think twice about going to a Will Ferrell movie. Being a mainstay on SNL for so long, Ferrell became a star, and his comedic talent is well-documented. But that was television - and he's moved on. He's now on the big screen, and thus the paradox begins.

Will Ferrell has been in some great, funny movies. But here's the problem: the great movies in which he's been, he's always been a secondary character, stealing the scenes from the protagonists (examples include Old School and Zoolander - two of the funniest movies ever, and Will is basically the reason they're so funny.) However, Ferrell's movies in which he is the main character have not been as funny (ex. Anchorman and Elf, or whatever the hell the name was, and that awful soccer-dad movie.)

I've sat here in anguish, exploring the options, balancing possibilities, using Socratic method, Pythagoreum theorum, and a well-constructed matrix to decide whether or not I should see this movie. I've decided to proceed at my own risk. Personally, I think this may be the first time Ferrell pulls it off as lead actor. Of course, this time around he may be upstaged by the secondary characters - the cast does include brilliant actors John C. Reilly and Gary Cole, you know. But I think I'll take my chances, live a little, and check this movie out despite my reservations. All I know is the commercials make me laugh my ass off, if that's any indication.