'Anchorman: The Legend Continues' Reviews Roundup: Will Ferrell Praised for Ron Burgundy

On Dec. 18, Adam McKay's "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues" will open to rave reviews.

The new film, which stars Will Ferrell, Paul Rudd, Steve Carell, James Marsden, and Harrison Ford, tells the story of Ron Burgundy who returns to take New York's first 24-hour news channel by storm.

The movie premiered to great reviews and currently has an 80 percent aggregate score on Rotten Tomatoes.

A.O Scott from the New York Times gave the film a positive review and wrote, "The sheer density of the jokes guarantees a few laughs for every taste ... and the loose, improvisational energy of the performers keeps things lively."

Scott Foundas from Variety also agreed and stated, "A modestly less quotable but generously funny new adventure for scotch-and-mahogany-loving 1970s newsman Ron Burgundy, here catapulted into 1980 and the dawn of the 24-hour news cycle."

Todd McCarthy from the Hollywood Reporter wrote, "It's bawdy, on-target in its take on what's become of TV news, and packed with wacky performers."

Peter Hartlaub from the San Francisco Chronicle gave the movie three stars out of four and stated, "It's clear that the people who created the first 'Anchorman' wanted to hang out on a set again together. That's better than getting back together just to make money."

Claudia Piug from USA Today also liked the film and wrote, "The movie cleverly spoofs the 24-hour TV news cycle, as well as sexism and racism in the workplace. Not every scene is equally funny, of course, but most of the comic antics generate laughs."

Paramount Pictures will release the movie in 3,450 theaters. The film is rated PG-13 for crude and sexual content, drug use, language and comic violence.