[FILM REVIEW] EUROVISION SONG CONTEST: THE STORY OF FIRE SAGA Review (2020)

July 23, 2020July 23, 2020 Dave Aiste Gramantaite, Alexander Rybak, Alfie Melia, Alfrin Rose, Andrew Steele, Anna Odbescu, Bilal Hassani, Bjorn Hlynur Haraldsson, Bjorn Stefansson, Bobby Lockwood, Brie Kristiansen, Chris Lew Kum Hoi, Christopher Jeffers, Conchita Wurst, Dan Stevens, David Dobkin, David Griffiths, Demi Lovato, Eleanor Williams, Elin Petersdottir, Elina Alminas, Elina Nechayeva, Eurovsion Song Contest: The Story OF Fire Saga, Graham Norton, Gunanr Cauthrey, Hannes Oli Agustsson, Hlynur Porsteinsson, Jaie Demetriou, Jamala, Jessy Matador, Johannes Hakur Johannesson, John Lundvik, Joi Johannsson, Jon Kortajerna, Josh Zare, Julian Miller, Junior Delius, Kajsa Mohammar, Loreen, Mark Adams, Melissanthi Mahut, Michael Hillberg, Mikael Persbrandt, Natasia Demetriou, Olafur Darri Olafsson, Pierce Brosnan, Rachel McAdams, Rebecca Harrod, Salvador Sabral, Sophia-Grace Donnelly, Steve Saunders, Thomas Lemarquis, Will Ferrell, William Lee Adams, Yevgeniy Malyarchuk, Zack Propert

Summary: Icleandic pop-group get the chance to live out their ultimate dream when they are selected to represent Iceland at the Eurovision Song Contest.

Year: 2020

Australian Cinema Release Date: TBA

Thailand Cinema Release Date: TBA

Australian VOD Release Date: 26th June 2020

Country: USA

Director: David Dobkin

Screenwriter: Will Ferrell, Andrew Steele

Cast: Mark Adams (Jon Ola Sand), William Lee Adams (himself), Hannes Oli Agustsson (Olaf Yohansson), Elina Alminas (Sasha Moore), Pierce Brosnan (Erick Erickssong), Gunanr Cauthery (Aron), Junior Delius (Dailbour Jinski), Jamie Demetriou (Kevin Swain), Natasia Demetriou (Nina), Sophia-Grace Donnelly (Young Sigrit), Will Ferrell (Lars Erickssong), Aiste Gramantaite (Moon Fang), Michael Hillberg (Godfrey Heirdaul), Bjorn Hlynur Haraldsson (Policeman – Arnar), Rebecca Harrod (Brittny), Bilal Hassani (Bilal Hassani), Chris Lew Kum Hoi (Jae-Bong), Jamala (herself), Christopher Jeffers (Johnny John John), Joi Johannsson (Jorn), Johannes Hakur Johannesson (Johans), Jon Kortajerna (Corin Vladvitch), Brie Kristiansen (Ros), Thomas Lemarquis (Jiles), Bobby Lockwood (Jeff),Loreen (herself), Demi Lovato (Katiana),John Lundvik (himself), Melissanthi Mahut (Mita Xenakis), Yevgeniy Malyarchuk (himself), Jessy Matador (Jessy Matador), Rachel McAdams (Sigrit Ericksdottir), Alfie Melia (Young Lars), Julian Miller (Janus Skoene), Kajsa Mohammar (Lisa), Elina Nechayeva (herself), Netta (Netta), Graham Norton (himself), Anna Odobescu (herself), Olafur Darri Olafsson (Neils Brongus), Mikael Persbrandt (Victor Karlosson), Elin Petersdottir (Helka), Hlynur Porsteinsson (Policman – Robert), Zack Propert (Staphan – Drummer), Alfrin Rose (Anna), Alexander Rybak (himself), Salvador Sabral (himself), Steve Saunders (Ragnar), Bjorn Stefansson (Ian), Dan Stevens (Alexander Lemtov), Eleanor Williams (Jenn), Conchita Wurst (Conchita Wurst), Josh Zare (Bill)

Running Time: 123 mins

Classification: M

OUR EUROVISION SONG CONTEST: THE STORY OF FIRE SAGA REVIEWS & RATINGS:

Dave Griffiths’ Eurovision Song Contest: The Story Of Fire Saga Review:

Eurovision! That word has very different meanings for people depending on where you are located in the world. In the US it is known as a music event full of strange acts that are barely worth a second glance. But to the rest of the word the Eurovision Song Contest is like a religion. Bands like the ever-popular ABBA became household names after performing at the contest while even today there are television shows and house parties dedicated to what is arguably the world’s biggest annual music event.

Now Eurovision comes to the big screen in the form of Eurovision Song Contest: The Story Of Fire Saga – a comedy film starring the iconic Will Ferrell (Blades of Glory). Ferrell plays Icelandic musician Lars Ericksson, who along with, his best friend Sigrit Ericksdottir (Rachel McAdams – The Notebook) form pop-group Fire Saga.

Despite the fact the band are treated as a joke in their home town Fire Saga suddenly find themselves thrust into the world spotlight when the actions of a corrupt official leads to them representing Iceland at Eurovision as it is considered that they are ‘the least likely Icelandic act to win’. While Lars celebrates the fact that his life-long dream is only a couple of performances away Sigirit sees this as an opportunity to perhaps take that romantic step with Lars.

However things don’t go to plan. First the band are set-up to fail and when a Greek pop-star (Melissanthi Mahut – In Transit) sets her sights on Lars while a Russian mega-star (Dan Stevens – Beauty And The Beast) decides her is the perfect match for Sigrit – both on and off the stage.

It may come as a surprise to many film lovers but unlike many American comedies this film is quirky, funny and has a massive amount of heart. Often Ferrell damages the film he is in by trying too hard to get a laugh. Ferrell is reigned in well by director David Dobkin (The Judge) and the result is a smooth comedic performance that sees Ferrell deliver some amazing one liners and occasionally producing some moments of slap-stick gold.

Ferrell is well supported by the cast around him. McAdams who is known more for her dramatic performances is like a fish to water with comedy. She is equally as funny as Ferrell through the film and some of her scenes with Dan Stevens, who also reveals a comedic side we never existed, are some of the most memorable scenes in the film.

What sets Eurovision Song Contest: The Story Of Fire Saga aside from other comedies is its quirkiness and heart. From exploding boats, a romantic couple that may or may not be brother and sister and dancing whales you never know what Dobkin and the screenwriters will throw at the audience next. That alongside some witty one-liners means audience members are laughing throughout the film.

Then there is the heart of this film that makes the experience of watching it something memorable. Unlike many comedies this film has well-rounded and fleshed out characters which leads to some emotionally-driven storylines. Plot points like Lars trying to fulfil his dreams while trying to form a meaningful relationship with his father (Pierce Brosnan – Tomorrow Never Dies) bring a real sense of meaning to the film. Then there are little points like Lars teaching a young Sigrit to talk using music – those kinds of things are a stroke of genius from a screenplay as they really make the audience more emotionally involved with the characters in front of them.

With interesting and three-dimensional characters and a witty screenplay that delivers some moments of comedy gold Eurovision Song Contest: The Story Of Fire Saga is one of Will Ferrell’s best film in years.

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