Will Ferrell - The Best Of Saturday Night Live Reviews

Disappointing

I've been a fan of Ferrell since I first saw him in Jay and Silent Bob, and I consider Anchorman to be the best film I've seen in a long time, so I was looking forward to this; a chance to see Ferrell's pre-movie star work.

Not being American, I'm not overly familiar with Saturday Night Live, and up to this, all I'd seen of it was a similar DVD focussing on Steve Martin. That one had one or two inspired moments - most notably a banjo skit - and this one is in pretty much the same vein.

The best moments stem from physical comedy and music; the first sketch involving an anti-drugs medley of rap songs is outstanding, as is a sketch about cheerleaders but unfortunately such inspiration does not stretch to the more wordy sketches which are often overlong and lacking in jokes as well as lacking even in amusing nonsense.

Ferrell's talent as a comedy performer is undeniable, but the material and format of SNL from what I have seen, is generally disappointing.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Very hit and miss

I'm quite a big fan of the work that Will Ferrell's done in film so I was interested to see where/what he's come from and although these highlights show you some snippets of his absurdity, it's hit and miss to say the least. I'd say rent Anchorman, Elf and Melinda And Melinda to get a better idea of the quality of his humour.

Disapointing but Interest

If your looking at this DVD then you will probably know who Will Ferrell is. One of the 'frat pack' funny men who has played such comedy greats as Ron Burgundy (Anchor Man) or Frank The Tank (Old School) to name but a few. Saturday Night Live is a long running American Sketch show thats has been the spring board for many comic greats including Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy and Mike Myers. It is here Will cut his teeth and made a name for himself. This DVd is a collection of his sketchs from these shows. I found this collection disapointing at first as i was expecting the blatent genius that we expect from Will (Streaking anyone?). On this front it doesnt really deliver even though i did laugh at some of the sketches. Some of the comedy is lost in the fact that SNL is an American show aimed at American people and as such i found this a bit 'too american'. Also some of the charactures that he parodies will be unknown to most people outside of the US, again losing some of the comedy. If however you approch this not so much as a comedy dvd and more as a 'History Of' feature then it is very enjoyable. As a huge fan of Wills i found it very interesting and enjoyable to see how his skills have progressed through his sketches. It is this that makes you see why he is, where he is today. Its also particulary interesting trying to spot what parts of characatures he has called upon in his newer roles. So if your getting this to laugh out loud at obvious comedy, you will be disapointed. Go rent Old School or Anchorman. If however you are a genuine fan of Wills you will find this an interesting and enjoyable insight into a great comic genius. Stay Classy San Diego! PS. I would be interested to see Volume.2 of this collection.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Very hit and miss

I'm quite a big fan of the work that Will Ferrell's done in film so I was interested to see where/what he's come from and although these highlights show you some snippets of his absurdity, it's hit and miss to say the least. I'd say rent Anchorman, Elf and Melinda And Melinda to get a better idea of the quality of his humour.

Disappointing

I've been a fan of Ferrell since I first saw him in Jay and Silent Bob, and I consider Anchorman to be the best film I've seen in a long time, so I was looking forward to this; a chance to see Ferrell's pre-movie star work.

Not being American, I'm not overly familiar with Saturday Night Live, and up to this, all I'd seen of it was a similar DVD focussing on Steve Martin. That one had one or two inspired moments - most notably a banjo skit - and this one is in pretty much the same vein.

The best moments stem from physical comedy and music; the first sketch involving an anti-drugs medley of rap songs is outstanding, as is a sketch about cheerleaders but unfortunately such inspiration does not stretch to the more wordy sketches which are often overlong and lacking in jokes as well as lacking even in amusing nonsense.

Ferrell's talent as a comedy performer is undeniable, but the material and format of SNL from what I have seen, is generally disappointing.