Anchorman parents guide

Anchorman Parent Guide

Overall C-

Anchorman Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell) is about to have his 1970s chauvinistic views of womanhood challenged -- and on TV -- when the newsroom hires Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate), an ambitious talent who is more than just a pretty face.

Release date July 8, 2004

Violence D+
Sexual Content C-
Profanity D+
Substance Use C

Why is Anchorman rated PG-13? The MPAA rated Anchorman PG-13 sexual humor, language, and comic violence

Run Time: 94 minutes

Parent Movie Review

In mid-1970s San Diego, Ron Burgundy (Will Farrell) is the man. No, he’s not the mayor. He’s not all that rich either. But he has the power because he’s the top news anchorman in the city.

Anchorman rewinds the tape to the “glory” days of broadcast news when a good voice, the ability to read from a TelePrompTer, and being a male were the main ingredients to getting a spot under the bright lights. For Burgundy, a man who has a difficult time understanding basic human relations let alone international politics, it’s a good thing the requirements aren’t any more onerous.

The other members of the Channel 4 News Team reflect Burgundy’s sophistication. Western themed sports guy Champ Kind (David Koechner) and intellectually bankrupt weatherman Brick Tamland (Steve Carell) are joined by smooth talking field reporter Brian Fantana (Paul Rudd). Together, they present a version of the news from a definite male perspective-and that’s something the network would like to change.

Unfortunately, the word “diversity” literally isn’t in Burgundy’s dictionary. He soon discovers its true definition when Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate) walks into the newsroom. Not only is the attractive blonde the wrong gender-but she’s smart, too-something the guys never expected from the fairer sex.

For anyone (like myself) who has spent some time in the television news industry, Anchorman will force you to crack a wry smile at these egotistical characterizations. While Burgundy may appear over-the-top, most industry insiders who date back to this era will identify with more than a few of his brash traits.

However, audiences simply looking for a comedy on the marquee may leave disappointed with the film’s lack of plot and direction. Burgundy’s fall from grace and feeble recovery is hardly engaging. Instead the film feels more like a set of skits from Saturday Night Live-the television program from which most of these cast members (including Ferrell who also co-wrote the script) originated.

Unlikely to be a film of interest for young children, parents may find the sexually oriented dialogue and sight gags too spicy even for teens. Priding himself as a man who has slept with a variety of women, Burgundy often makes chauvinistic remarks (intended to be taken as humor within this spoof), derogatory comments about gay men, and more explicit sexual cracks. He’s depicted seducing a woman after which sex is heavily implied, while another extended scene shows him clothed with an obvious erection that is the topic of conversation.

Perhaps the most bizarre moment is another longer-than-necessary sequence where the news team engages in a very violent street battle with competing broadcasters. Again, it’s all played for laughs, but characters are seen with graphic wounds, including a man whose arm is sliced off.

Sprinkled with profanities (including a single use of a sexual expletive), this innuendo-laden broadcast is unlikely to deliver good news for family viewing.

Note:Tis movie is also known as Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.

Directed by Adam McKay . Starring Will Ferrell, Steve Carell, Christina Applegate. Running time: 94 minutes. Theatrical release July 8, 2004. Updated

Anchorman Parents' Guide

If you were responsible for hiring a news anchor, what skills would you look for? How would you weigh the qualities of image and intellect? What traits do you feel are essential to build an audience’s trust in a television personality?

Home Video

The most recent home video release of Anchorman movie is December 3, 2013. Here are some details…

Home Video Notes: Anchorman - The Legend of Ron Burgundy: The Rich Mahogany Edition (Unrated)

Release Date: 3 December 2013

Anchorman - The Legend of Ron Burgundy is releasing to home video (Blu-ray) in an unrated The Rich Mahogany Edition. Extras on this 2-deisc set include:

- Making of Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy

- Bloopers

- Deleted scenes

- Music video

- Ron Burgundy Interview with Bill Kurtis

- Ron Burgundy A&E Biography

- MTV Music Awards Interview with Rebecca Romijn-Stamos

- Trailers

- ESPN Audition

Anchorman also known as Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy releases to Blu-ray on March 15, 2011.

Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy releases to DVD in a rated and unrated version on December 28, 2004.

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The importance of image over abilities is also spoofed in the film S1M0xD8NE. A more serious critical eye is turned to the news industry in the film Mad City.

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