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'Talladega Nights' limps to the finish line

How you felt about Will Ferrell's 2003 comedy Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy is a likely indicator of how you will take to his latest chortlefest, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. They are, after all, virtually the same movie, with only the setting changed from local television news to NASCAR racing.

Sony Pictures Releasing 'Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby' C- The verdict: Ferrell drags his comic formula onto the NASCAR track for his usual lame, broad humor. Director: Adam McKay Starring: Will Ferrell, Sacha Baron Cohen, John C. Reilly, Michael Clarke Duncan, Amy Adams Run time: 105 minutes Release date: August 4, 2006 Rating: PG-13 for crude and sexual humor, language, drug references and brief comic violence. See showtimes On the backlot •  Will Ferrell says he honed his comedy in elementary school. •  Product placements linger long after the credits roll. On the web Official movie site View the trailer    Trailers require Quicktime Rate 'Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby'   Go see it   Make it a matinee   Wait to rent   Don't bother Voter Limit: Once per Hour View Poll Results

Ferrell's director and co-writer Adam McKay is back on the case, giving his star another egocentric character who must be cut off at the knees in order to struggle to get back on top by the final credits. In this case, not that it matters much, the dunderhead in question is an accidental racing champion who hit the checkered flag as a mid-race substitute for a driver (McKay) more in need of a personal pit stop. Once he wins, though, our boy Ricky is soon challenged by a stereotypical French speedster (Sacha Baron Cohen) and the big climactic race soon looms.

What follows, as what preceded it, is pretty formulaic humor, without a cerebral joke in sight. Ferrell does get some capable support from John C. Reilly as his equally dense racing sidekick, but it is disheartening to see the terrific Amy Adams (Oscar nominee in last year's Junebug) so underused as Ricky's introverted aide.

Still, Anchorman was inexplicably popular, so chances are Talladega Nights will satisfy that same easily entertained audience.