Share

Watch It

On DVD: Now | On Blu-ray: Now
Watch it on iTunes Buy on Amazon

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby Review

Movies.com Critics

5.0

Dave White Profile

… start-to-finish-funny … Read full review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 4.0
    66

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Generally favorable reviews
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 70

    out of 100

    The New York Times Dana Stevens

    As a cultural artifact, Talladega Nights is both completely phony and, therefore, utterly authentic. Or, to put it differently: this movie is the real thing. It's finger lickin' good. It's eatin' good in the neighborhood. It's the King of Beers. It's Wonder Bread.

    Read Full Review

  • 70

    out of 100

    Variety Robert Koehler

    Simultaneously teasing and loving a subject doesn't make for easy comedy, but writer-star Will Ferrell and director/co-writer Adam McKay pull it off with good-ol'-boy good nature in Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.

    Read Full Review

  • 70

    out of 100

    Los Angeles Times Kenneth Turan

    A bit of a mess, but it is a genial mess, and one that will make you laugh. Which is the whole idea.

    Read Full Review

  • 70

    out of 100

    The Hollywood Reporter Sheri Linden

    From its pitch-perfect title through just about every detail, this sendup of sports-triumph movies maintains the right parodic pitch, if not always the highest mph on the laugh speedometer.

    Read Full Review

  • 75

    out of 100

    Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman

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

    Read Full Review

  • 75

    out of 100

    USA Today Claudia Puig

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

    Read Full Review

  • 80

    out of 100

    Wall Street Journal Joe Morgenstern

    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.

  • See all Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby reviews at Metacritic.com

View MoreView Less

For Families provided by Common Sense Media

Iffy for 13+

Wild, raunchy comedy about NASCAR culture.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that the movie includes relentless commercial product placements, by way of parodying professional racing's tendency to slap logos on every available surface. The film also features lots of bawdy chatter concerning a wayward father's lusty behaviors and his son's cheating wife. The hero's two young sons spend half the movie behaving badly -- talking back to elders, cursing, and damaging property -- as their father, a stereotypical "redneck" parody, encourages them. An arm-breaking scene includes loud bone-breaking noise; several car crashes are violent (cars flipping and smashing and catching on fire). The film includes gay characters who kiss each other and declare themselves married. Characters refer to drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes.

  • Families can talk about the terrible role models provided by the parents over subsequent generations. How is Ricky's father disappointing to him, and how does Ricky raise his own children to be lazy, selfish, and rude? What's Ricky's mother's role in the film? They can also talk about whether this parody challenges or reinforces stereotypes about NASCAR.

The good stuff
  • message true0

    Messages: Parodies NASCAR "culture" stereotypes, targeting Christianity (several Jesus jokes) and homophobia.

What to watch for
  • violence false3

    Violence: Slapstick falls (no blood); several car crashes are a bit harrowing (cars flip over, bang each and walls, catch on fire, with some disturbing point-of-view camerawork); Jean breaks Ricky's arm (loudly); Ricky's attacked by a cougar, who leaves bloody scratches and a ripped shirt.

  • sex false3

    Sex: Women appear in skimpy clothing; references to Ricky's daddy's sexual appetites; Ricky and Carly tongue-kiss in front of their family; Ricky's best friend sleeps with and steals his wife; frequent references to "balls"'; Jean is flamboyantly gay; graphic reference to posing for Playgirl ("spreading cheeks").

  • language false3

    Language: One bleeped-out f-word; Ricky gives rival the finger; repeated uses of "s--t" and other obscenities.

  • consumerism false5

    Consumerism: Movie features racing's relentless endorsements; products named and pictured include: Wonder Bread, Coca-Cola, Power-Ade, Sunoco, Old Spice, Mountain Dew, Domino's pizza, Taco Bell, KFC, Fig Newtons, Sprint, Applebees, Lucky Charms, Perrier, Hardees, Sprint, Sony Vaio, Visa, Sunoco, QVC, Kodak, Halliburton.

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false3

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: References to drugs (weed, peyote, crack); frequent drinking (team sponsor is malt liquor; champagne popped after races; race team owner's wife is always drunk) and some cigarette and cigar smoking.

An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology.

© Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

View MoreView Less

Fan Reviews provided by

Average Rating: 3.519
Read all reviews Write a review at Fandango
4

great by edmund town hall guy
Very Very funny movie I loved it.

3

Talladega by Mr.Le-bow-ski
This movie was kinda funny. I just cant stand Will Ferrel he has been in too many comedy sports movies. This was probably one of his best. I think Sacha Barren Cohen made this movie. If he weren't in this it probably would have sucked.

4

by jgreule

3

by JessicaCullen

3

by PMX13

3

by stacialee

5

by firegirl38

3

by Fluffhead

Read all Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby reviews at Fandango
Advertisement