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List Price: $19.97 | | Label: HBO
Salesrank: 2430
Released: November 3, 2009 |
| Our Price: $12.87 |
| Used Price: $10.68 |
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MPAA Rating: Unrated
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
In his first-ever HBO special, superstar comedian/actor Will Ferrell takes viewers on a sentimental journey through the life, legend, and legacy of the 43rd U.S President, portraying George W. Bush in this live performance from Broadway’s Cort Theater. Features:
- Road to Broadway
- Bush on Bush interview
- It's Time Has Come of Being a Decider, America: True/false game
- Digital copy
Description of Will Ferrell: You're Welcome, America. A Final Night with George W. Bush:
When Will Ferrell was struggling to break out on Saturday Night Live, the election of George W. Bush came as a gift from God. The new President gave him a character with a greater reach than one of those head-bobbing Roxbury guys--so it's only just that Ferrell, now a marquee-topping movie star, should cap off the Bush years with this final homage. You're Welcome America. A Final Night with George W. Bush is not so much a political satire as a fever dream, a hallucinatory exorcism. Ferrell paints Bush as an arrested adolescent, simultaneously self-absorbed yet without a hint of self-reflection, but beyond that there's not much commentary on the actions or collective psyche of the Bush administration (though some of the most startling gags turn out to be true). Instead, Ferrell spins out 90 minutes of faux-personal anecdotes that blur into crass surrealism: Dreaming of a cabin getaway with another man that includes a description of a "Western-grip" version of a certain sexual act; gaping at a muscular Barbara Bush rescuing all the Bush men from a collapsed mine shaft; performing robotic dance moves with Condoleeza Rice; demanding a squadron of wild monkeys be trained for combat; and imitating, obsessively, a Castillian lisp. It is a very strange performance, captured live at Broadway theater and later broadcast on HBO. Ten years from now, audiences may stare, perplexed and hypnotized, at this show, unable to comprehend what it's about--which may be entirely the point. --Bret Fetzer
Will Ferrell: You're Welcome, America. A Final Night with George W. Bush Reviews:
Funny 
2009-12-24 - This is a wonderful movie (quality and all) that has a serious but funny message attached, and you will leave with a very good understanding to what has happened to our America as we know it.
Hilarious!
2009-11-23 - With his most recent film bombing at the box office, many questioned whether Will Ferrell still had "it". "You're Welcome, America. A Final Night with George W. Bush" more than proves that Ferrell still has it. I was laughing hysterically the entire time watching it. He had the mannerisms and voice down to a "T", after awhile it almost felt like Bush was actually up on stage telling me his life story. I had to remind myself that it was just Will doing an amazing impression of him for the show. I watched this first on NetFlix because I wasn't sure if I would like it. I will most definitely be buying it or putting it on my Christmas list for this year. If you're a fan of Will's or a fan of "Bushisms", buy this DVD. You will not be disappointed.
I laughed, I cried, I gagged! 
2009-11-11 - Will Ferrell stole my heart with his W impression on SNL. Funny, biting, and ridiculous as the man himself, it was comedic perfection then, and it still is now.
I was not looking for an overhaul of the past 8 years, I did not want to be stuck going through all the mistakes this one man made, whether humorous or not. I did not want an over politicized evening of hatred with a thin guise of humor. And I am glad because "You're Welcome, America" is none of that. With completely false anecdotes, actual hilarious quotes, and some of the most traumatizing images I have ever seen on a TV screen, it was nothing I was expecting, but a complete success. If you have seen Funny or Die, you know how far he can go.
Although I can agree with some that there definitely some "safe" parts to his performance, I was happy to see Ferrell reign it in at times (like discussing 9/11 or when discussing the lost soldiers of this current war). It was nice to see the full range of insanity and respect in one show.
Happily, the over-the-top shenanigans do not end after this program. The special features are good as well. W interviews himself (which did seem to run a little long for my taste) and there is a true/false trivia game to play. All in all, a night well spent with Will Ferrell as George W. Bush: recommended.
A SAFE show that says nothing. 
2009-11-09 - I had the highest of hopes and expectations, and ordered this right out of the gate. It was pretty unwatchable. I hoped it would have some relevant material that really shines truth on the horror and nightmare of Bush... instead, it was all fluff, no substance. I would give it 1 star, but I added one because the dance number with Condi is pretty great, and I think this show overall will play well to the people who still like Bush... even if you loved Bush, you can laugh along with this comedy as easily as watching a safe enjoyable puppet show. I had no idea I'd be writing this; I am a Will Ferrell fan and really wanted to give it a great review... but this is just awful. If you don't believe me, I'm sure there are some clips online. On a positive note (for some people), when you buy this you get a free digital copy on iTunes.
Another Instant Classic form Ferrell
2009-11-08 - This is definitely some of Ferrell's best work ever. Somebody had to do it, it may as well have been Will Ferrell.
