Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues
Common Sense says
age 14+
Burgundy returns in irreverent sequel with innuendo galore.
- PG-13
- 2013
- 119 minutes
Parents say
age 14+
Based on 9 reviews
Kids say
age 13+
Based on 30 reviews
Get it now
Searching for streaming and purchasing options ...
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Get it now on
Searching for streaming and purchasing options ...
A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
Positive Role Models & Representations
Violence
Sex
Language
Consumerism
Drinking, Drugs & Smoking
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues is the sequel to the 2004 Will Ferrell comedy Anchorman. As with the first one, the movie includes outrageous, irreverent humor, with comical violence -- mostly bloodless and with few casualties -- and plenty of sexual banter and innuendo, though no nudity. Language is also playful and strong, with uses of "bitch," "ass," and many other choice words. The main characters comically smoke crack while on the air, and there's some background drinking and smoking. There's also some comical racial stereotyping, but mostly at the expense of the speaker. Overall, the message about the importance of family and the quality of news is an interesting one, and could give parents and teens something to discuss together.
Wondering if Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues is OK for your kids?
Set preferences and get age-appropriate recommendations with Common Sense Media Plus. Join now
Stay up to date on new reviews.
Get full reviews, ratings, and advice delivered weekly to your inbox.
Subscribe
User Reviews
- Parents say
- Kids say
Funny enough to merit a matinee or a rental, but nowhere near the original
If you have seen the first Anchorman, there is no more violence in II than was in the first (both include comical fight scenes). Product placement/consumerism... Continue reading
Yuk! Will Ferrell, why?!?!
Don't do it! our family are huge Will Ferrell fans, and thought the original Anchorman was funny, despite some sexual innuendo. But this one was not only n... Continue reading
Only watch it if you enjoyed the first
Let's just say I did not enjoy the first Anchorman, and the sequel was about the same. Just a whole bunch of jokes that weren't funny and stupid humor... Continue reading
Decent Anchorman Sequel
Though not living up to expectations, this Anchorman sequel spoofing 24 hour news stations is quite entertaining and worthy of watching.
What's the story?
After the events of the previous movie, anchorman Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell) is happily married to his co-anchor Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate) and things couldn't be better -- until Veronica is promoted and Ron is fired. Ron takes the news badly and bottoms out when he is approached about joining a new 24-hour news cable network. Ron scoffs at the idea, but takes the job and finds great success as he changes tactics, making the news "fun" rather than informative. He begins an intense relationship with his boss, Linda Jackson (Meagan Good), but fate takes another turn when an accident robs him of his sight. While blind, he discovers that his family is his strongest anchor -- his family and a baby shark.
Is it any good?
Co-writers Will Ferrell and Adam McKay hit upon a brilliant idea in their return to their beloved Ron Burgundy character. Since we left Ron in the late 1970s, it only makes sense that he should be part of the 24-hour news cycle of the 1980s, as well as the deterioration of TV news and its transformation into ratings-based entertainment. The dumb, yet confident Burgundy is the perfect character for it. This clever thread alone makes the movie worth viewing. But happily, it's very funny, too.
Ferrell and McKay base most of their humor on unexpected, bizarrely rhythmic wordplay and images that support that wordplay. Not every joke is going to work for every viewer. Parts of the movie go over the top, and it definitely sprawls a bit, nearly hitting the two-hour mark. But the best jokes are spread generously throughout, and performers like Kristen Wiig and Meagan Good are quite wonderful in a movie dominated by men. It's a worthy sequel that tickles the brain as well as the funnybone.
Talk to your kids about ...
- Families can talk about the movie's comical violence. What makes violence on screen funny, as opposed to thrilling or disturbing? Do you think comical violence ever goes too far?
- How do you react to the movie's scenes of racial stereotyping? Were they offensive or funny? Who is the target of this humor?
- What does the movie have to say about the state of TV news? Does it approve or disapprove? How has the situation changed since the 1980s?
Movie details
- In theaters: December 20, 2013
- On DVD or streaming: April 1, 2014
- Cast: David Koechner, Paul Rudd, Steve Carell, Will Ferrell
- Director: Adam McKay
- Studio: Paramount Pictures
- Genre: Comedy
- Run time: 119 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG-13
- MPAA explanation: crude and sexual content, drug use, language and comic violence
- Last updated: September 20, 2019
For kids who love comedy
Our editors recommend
Top advice and articles
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
Streaming options powered by JustWatch