With the long, hot summer of 2006 heading towards the finish line, it's nice to know that it will end with a winner of a movie. Not only a winner but easily the funniest film I've seen this year. And I don't even watch NASCAR!

Born in the backseat of his father's stock car, Ricky Bobby (Ferrell) has one dream -- to go fast! And in a town where the main speaker at career day is the manager of the local Waffle House, there really isn't much else to do. Working with his life long friend, Cal (Reilly), on the pit crew of an inspired driver, Ricky gets his chance to drive and soon becomes the hero of race fans every where. Whether he's enjoying dinner at home with his trophy wife and sons (who he's named Walker and Texas Ranger) or giving an interview, making sure he delivers a quick copyright message in the middle, Ricky lives the glamorous life. But when he is challenged by a French Formula One racer (Cohen) the true race begins.

Will Ferrell has been busy these past few years. Did a movie with Woody Allen. Showed up in a couple of movies with your pal Vince Vaughn. Heck, he even held his own with Nathan Lane in a musical. But Ferrell is at his best when he plays the guy who doesn't really get it. Like Ron Burgundy, Buddy the Elf or Frank the Tank, Ricky Bobby is a man who lives his life with a child like quality that is both endearing and hilarious. In "Talladega Nights," Ferrell is backed by a great pit crew of actors. Reilly is perfect as Cal, the life long friend and racing teammate who doesn't mind finishing second. Molly Shannon, Andy Richter and David Koechner (Champ in "Anchorman") keep the laughs coming as well. But it is Cohen, probably best known here for his work on "Da Ali G Show," that almost takes the checkered flag from Ferrell here. As the snooty Frenchman who spends the day before a race quietly sipping tea with Elvis Costello and Mos Def, Cohen makes what could have been a one note performance hilarious. Also, if I can change the subject here for a moment, if they ever do a film biography about the late, great frontman for Queen, Freddie Mercury, I could easily see Cohen in the role. But I digress.

A film that will keep you laughing from beginning to end (including the credits), "Talladega Nights" is the most fun you can have this summer at 200 miles per hour! On a scale of zero to four stars, I give "Talladega Nights"