Frat Pack

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Will Ferrell is, as the kids these days like to say, GOATED.

In a nutshell, the comedies he produced in the past are nothing short of legendary, and he continues to produce outstanding content today. For instance, his latest documentary, “Will & Harper“, which follows him and his transgender friend, Harper Steele, on a road trip, is so moving that even the trailer brought tears to some viewers’ eyes. Therefore, it’s safe to say that I not only appreciate Ferrell’s acting but find it more than enjoyable. In fact, while I enjoy most of his work, I must admit that some of his voice-overs, like in “Despicable Me 4“, could use a bit more polish.

Although I appreciate where his current path lies, a piece of me yearns for the time when he was part of the “Frat Pack”. For those not familiar with the term, it’s a nod to the “Rat Pack”, a group of entertainers like Sinatra, Dean Martin, Humphrey Bogart, and others from the past. The “Frat Pack” refers to comedic actors during the mid-90s to early 2000s, which included stars such as Vince Vaughn, Jack Black, Seth Rogen, and indeed, Will Ferrell. Hence, let me explain why I long for the “Frat Pack” (or, as I fondly refer to him, his vintage self) era of Ferrell. Ready for some ‘Shake and Bake’ fun?

First Off, This Was An Era When Comedies Were Still Super Popular, And Ferrell Was The King In This Field

Can you recall the last instance when a comedy created quite the buzz in Tinseltown, Hollywood? While we have recent hits like “One of Them Days”, I’m referring to blockbuster comedies that truly dominated the box office. Comedies such as 2011’s “Bridesmaids” which grossed an astounding $288 million worldwide, or 2009’s “The Hangover”, earning a staggering $469 million dollars at the box office?

Isn’t it the case that most comedies won’t play in movie theaters anymore, but instead appear on streaming platforms? Given that even a film like “Happy Gilmore 2” is only available on Netflix nowadays, it might seem as though there are no comedies being released in cinemas at this point.

During the time of the “Frat Pack” movement, there was an abundance of comedic films being released. Movies like “Shallow Hal”, “A Night at the Roxbury”, “Wedding Crashers”, “Knocked Up” were just a few examples that filled the cinemas. The comedy genre was thriving in the late ’90s and early 2000s, it seemed like we had a modern classic hitting the screens almost every weekend.

During this era, one prominent figure in comedy was none other than Will Ferrell. I truly pine for the days when I could visit a cinema and enjoy one of his hilarious masterpieces. Movies like “Old School“, “Elf“, “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, ” and my all-time favorite, “Step Brothers“, were some of the gems he graced us with.

Without a doubt, if he was part of it, you could tell it would be exceptional. In many aspects, he’s the final comedian who truly captivates audiences, making them rush to cinemas just for his performances. Yes, Kevin Hart has certainly been in successful and well-liked films lately, but those movies don’t quite match the widespread (or memorable) charm of classics like “Anchorman” or “Talladega Nights.” In this sense, John Farrell during the “Frat Pack” era seems almost like the last remnant of a disappearing genre, which is truly disappointing. I yearn for the return of broad comedy like Will Ferrell’s. Is there any chance we can bring them back?

Also, His Diversity Of Films Was Unparalleled

You might think, “But what about Jack Black? He’s another star from the ‘Frat Pack’ era who’s still making waves today. I can attest to that, having recently watched him in the blockbuster Minecraft film, a must-see for my kids who are Minecraft enthusiasts. Not only that, he was the voice behind Bowser in the smash hit The Super Mario Bros. Movie. He’s certainly not slowing down anytime soon!

I find joy in recognizing Black in various productions, yet I don’t associate him with the prominent figures of the “Frat Pack” era. Interestingly, my children are avid fans of his work, and I have no reservations about them enjoying some of his older films, such as School of Rock, Nacho Libre (which happens to be one of my favorite Jack Black movies), and King Kong.

While black is indeed amazing, I must say that no one can match Farrell’s acting portfolio when it comes to the wide range of humorous characters he portrayed, particularly during the late ’90s and early 2000s. His filmography stands out uniquely in this respect.

I’ve mentioned many of his famous characters, like “Anchorman” and “Step Brothers”, but what I long to discuss are the eccentric ones that really stand out, such as “Blades of Glory”, “Semi-Pro”, “The Campaign”, and the mind-boggling, “Casa de mi Padre”, where he struggles through an entire film with barely understandable Spanish.

Wow, isn’t that an astonishingly varied collection of comedies you have there? From the absurdly entertaining sports flicks to the witty satire and the hilarious spoof of telenovelas, it seems he was exploring every nook and cranny of humor back then. I fondly remember those days when his comedy felt like an unpredictable rollercoaster ride, and I was definitely a passenger on that wild journey!

His Comedy Was Both Bawdy At Times, But Also Surprisingly Wholesome

Sure thing, let me rephrase that for you: You know, it’s not possible for me to expose my kids to some of Ferrell’s R-rated movies due to their explicit content. However, I believe that even his more vulgar films, such as Step Brothers, surprisingly contain a good deal of wholesomeness.

He appears to lack any sharp, defined features and comes across as more playful than cynical. To put it another way, he’s not like George Carlin or Eddie Murphy, and I wouldn’t want him to emulate them either.

In numerous aspects, he comes across as incredibly endearing, even during his “streaking” moments, such as depicted in Old School. He lacks malice and appears to be the type of individual whom you wouldn’t disturb for an autograph in public, yet one can tell that if asked politely, he’d likely oblige.

I’ve got a soft spot for that style of humor. Even though some parts could be explicit, and he’s been part of many R-rated productions, the Ferrell in “Elf” – a movie intended for kids, by the way – seems quite similar to the clumsy character Ricky Bobby from “Talladega Nights.

What I truly miss is the Ferrell we used to know. Yes, he was grouped with the “Frat Pack,” but I never perceived him as using “frat boy” humor. More like immature humor, yes, but not the explicit, crude kind that might make me squirm now…and indeed, I’m talking about the same actor who headlined a movie called “Get Hard.

And Overall, I Just Find The Old Will Ferrell Hilarious

In conclusion, it’s essential to mention that I find the older work of Will Ferrell incredibly amusing. While I appreciate his current endeavors, there seems to be somewhat less exuberance compared to earlier performances.

For instance, I enjoyed “Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga,” but despite its nostalgic vibe reminiscent of the early 2000s-style humor from Ferrell, it didn’t quite capture the same goofy enthusiasm as some of his previous work.

Moreover, it’s not making things better that some recent films he’s produced lack humor, such as the poorly received 2018 movie “Holmes & Watson”.

To echo my earlier sentiments about Jack Black, I’d gladly welcome a role by Will Ferrell in any film. Yet, it’s important to acknowledge that today’s Ferrell is not the same as yesterday’s – and that’s perfectly okay. As previously mentioned, I find his current career trajectory fascinating, like his portrayal of the Mattel CEO in the upcoming 2023 movie “Barbie.

Nonetheless, for me, “Frat Pack” Ferrell remains my top pick, and it seems I long for the times when his performances were consistently spot-on, regardless of the role or project he took on.

Are you, by any chance, a fan of Will Ferrell’s work during the “Frat Pack” era more than what he’s doing now? I’d be interested to know if that’s your preference.

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2025-05-30 12:08