My Guide to Will Ferrell Movies: Building the Ultimate Will Ferrell DVD Collection

It used to be Chevy Chase. The Griswold Vacations were hilarious. Funny Farm was fantastic. Caddyshack remains a top 5 movie. Fletch and Three Amigos were classic films. Chevy Chase was my favorite comedian and I bought up all of his movies - leaving the DVDs on replay... after, that's the sign of a great DVD - one that can be watched again and again.



Now its Will Ferrell. Whatever Will Ferrell touches - in my opinion - turns to gold. He has a personable goofiness about him and the ability to make even the most ridiculous seem natural and comfortable.

Of course, Ferrell got his start on Saturday Night Live and effectively carried that show single-handedly through during his time with SNL from 1995 - 2002. In fact, Will Ferrell was awarded an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Performance in a Variety Series during the 2000-2001 series. Will Ferrell's best skits on SNL are collected in two DVD compilations:
 
Saturday Night Best of Will Ferrell Volume I
Saturday Night Best of Will Ferrell Volume II

While volume 1 is markedly better than volume 2, these two DVDs highlight some of the best Will Ferrell performances: President George W. Bush, middle school teacher Marty Culp, Professor Klarvin (the famous "lover"), Spartan cheerleader Craig, James Lipton from Inside the Actors Studio, singer Robert Goulet, Harry Caray, Blue Oyster Cult, Janet Reno, and more. Volume 1 has two of the greatest skits:

More Cowbell - the cast imitates Blue Oyster Cult and their producer Bruce Dickinson (played by Christopher Walken) calls for more Cowbell from Will Ferrell:

"I'm Bruce Dickinson. Yes, THE Bruce Dickinson. The song is great, but it could use more cowbell. Guess what... I got a fever. And the only prescription, is more cowbell."

Top Will Ferrell Films

1. Old School

Simply put: one of the funniest movies of this generation and an R-rated comedy that ushered in an entirely new generation of comedy, comedians and of course Will Ferrell. Though Ferrell wasn't the lead of the film, he become the star... Old School was the movie that catapulted Will Ferrell into hollywood's $20,000,000 man and the hottest comedian on the big screen. Old School is a definite buy as its humor remains even after countless watches.

2. Elf

Will Ferrell's first leading spot was in the family friendly epic of Buddy the Elf who travels from the North Pole to New York City in search of his family: "I passed through the seven levels of the Candy Cane forest, through the sea of swirly twirly gum drops, and then I walked through the Lincoln Tunnel." Very different than Old School but very very funny - the movie actually got great reviews.

3. Anchorman

Portraying Ron Burgandy - a San Diego Newscasters - Anchorman gave Ferrell and his cast of now famous comedians (see The 40 Year Old Virgin as an example) free reign to improvise. The result is a laugh-filled movie that grows on you with each viewing. The first time I watched it, I found it so-so - now it's a favorite.

4. Zoolander

Will Ferrell wasn't a lead in Zoolander - rather he played the crooked fashion designer Mugatu. Though Wilson and Ben Stiller are great as vacant male models - Will Ferrell steals any scene he's in. Great Mugato quotes:

* Todd! Are you not aware that I get farty and bloated with a foamy latte?
* Oh, I'm sorry, did my pin get in the way of you're a**? Do me a favor and lose five pounds immediately or get out of my building like now!
* Hansel... so hot right now... Hansel.
* Hi Derek! My name's Little Cletus and I'm here to tell you a few things about child labor laws, ok? They're silly and outdated. Why back in the 30s, children as young as five could work as they pleased; from textile factories to iron smelts. Yippee! Hurray!

5. Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back

Another supporting role for Will Ferrell - but again, he steals his scenes while playing Federal Wildlife Marshal Willenholly. Overall, the movie is an excellent extension of the Jay & Silent Bob series and does a great job parodying itself and Hollywood.

6. Austin Powers The Spy Who Shagged Me & Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery

Playing Mustafa, Will Ferrell is a Dr. Evil Sidekick and appears in both of the first two Austin Powers movies. Though his screen time is limited, its excellent.

7. Starsky & Hutch

Funny movie - not great. But Will Ferrell - playing con-man Big Earl is unforgettable:

Big Earl: I'll tell you what, I do like your blonde friend here. Let me see your belly button.
Hutch: No. Let's go.
Starsky: Hold on a second. The guy's obviously a freak. Just show him a little skin. Show him your stomach. Nobody's here.
Big Earl: Are we cool?
Starsky: Yes, we're cool. [Hutch shows Big Earl his stomach]
Big Earl: Oh, eureka. God, that's nice. It's like a little bowl of oatmeal with a hole in it. I got one too. I just got a little more brown sugar on mine.

8. A Night at the Roxbury

Another successful Saturday Night Live skit that turned eventually evolved into a movie. Though the movie is a far cry from Old School, Chris Katan and Will Ferrell are the only reason to watch Night at the Roxbury - which is still an enjoyable film.

9. Men Seeking Women

I hadn't heard of this film before watching it, so I assume it's a small budget movie. The script or direction doesn't give Ferrell very much freedom as it requires him to be somewhat dark and sarcastic - still worth seeing.

10. The Ladies Man

Ferrell plays Lance DeLune alongside Leon Phelps (Tim Meadows) in The Ladies Man - a popular SNL sketch turned Hollywood movie. A decent film that's worth a watch.

New & Upcoming Will Ferrell Films

• High, Wide, and Handsome (2006)
• Joan of Bark: The Dog that Saved France (2006)
• Curious George (2006)
• Stranger Than Fiction (2006)
• The Producers: The Movie Musical (2005)
• Winter Passing (2005)

I am an eBay employee and this guide reflects my personal views and is not written on behalf of the eBay company