The Legend of Ricky Bobby met and exceeded my expectations. This is no mean feat, since there were lots of snippets in the trailers or circulating the Internet.

It might just be the hick in me — I was born in Kansas — but this is a great movie to laugh with. Films like this make the case for race car driving as the nation’s sport. After all, I’m not aware of any football stadiums that hold 200,000 people.

What works:
1) Cast – all skilled, all in the right place. Will Ferrell is da’Man!
2) Comedy – well executed and delivered. Not a clunker in the bunch.
3) Pacing – everything flows, no weak points.
4) Story – believable enough, and ridiculous in a good way.

Verdict: Funny film without being infantile. For NASCAR, comedy, or Will Ferrell fans — a must see. Theater or DVD purchase.