Written by: Susan Granger
SusanGranger.com 

Will Ferrell grabbed the checkered flag and is doing a victory lap as an egomaniacal driver in this spoof of the NASCAR subculture.

Crediting his mother’s internal combustion, Ricky Bobby (Ferrell) was born to drive – literally, in the back seat of a speeding car. Propelled by his drunken, drug-dealing hillbilly dad’s motto – “If you ain’t first, you’re last!” – Bobby is destined for racing greatness. Indeed, he and his clueless sidekick Cal Naughton Jr. (John C. Reilly) form a shake ‘n’ bake duo, finishing #1 and #2, respectively, until there’s a crash and a fey French Formula One champion, Jean Girard (Sacha Baron Cohen) topples their supremacy. Will these hootin’, hollerin’ fellas Southerners surrender the top spot to this Camus-reading Euro-trash?

Then there’s Bobby’s trophy wife (Leslie Bibb) – “I’m a driver’s wife; I don’t work.” – and their wisecracking, ornery kids. Or, as deeply religious Bobby puts it in his mealtime prayer: “Dear Lord Baby Jesus, I want to thank you for this wonderful meal, my two beautiful sons Walker and Texas Ranger, and my red-hot smokin’wife Carley.”

Assembled by the “Anchorman” creative team, led by former “Saturday Night Live” writer/director Adam McKay, it continually veers toward the absurd, never more so than in a violent multi-car crash so extensive that TV coverage cuts away for a commercial and returns as the mayhem is still in progress. NASCAR fans may appreciate the tacky, tongue-in-cheek comedy, while Will Ferrell scores with graceless physicality reminiscent of his George W. Bush impression. He’s ably supported by Gary Cole, Michael Clarke Duncan, Amy Adams and Jane Lynch.

On the Granger Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby is a silly, squealing 6, filled with dopey daredevils who clearly have a few lug nuts loose.