EUROVISION EXPRESS
The real life song contest may have been cancelled for 2020, but Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams are here to fill the void
EUROVISION SONG CONTEST: THE STORY OF FIRE SAGA (15)
★★★★★
THERE’S music and mayhem in this Eurovision comedy which is as stupidly camp and delightfully daft as the contest itself, and where off-stage shenanigans mean it’s not just the songs which are being murdered.
At times very funny while always being affectionate to the longrunning contest, this is a musical underdog story that combines elements of mock rockumentary Spinal Tap and Mel Brooks’ The Producers.
And like the Mamma Mia! sequel, it’s at its best when it channels the irresistible spirit of pop legend Cher.
Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams star as Icelandic singers Lars and Sigrit, who in controversial circumstances are given the chance to represent their country at Eurovision.
After her scene-stealing performance in 2018’s comedy Game Night, it’s no surprise McAdams is a fabulously earnest and sweet soul who still believes in elves, while Ferrell – famous for playing an elf – is once again playing an overgrown man child with daddy issues.
His screen daddy is played by Pierce Brosnan, which might make any of us feel insecure, and Pierce adopts an Icelandic accent which is far more convincing than fellow 007 Sean Connery’s would have been.
Another plus is Brosnan isn’t tempted to sing – we suffered enough of that in the Mamma Mia! movies.
Lars and Sigrit’s songs, and those of the other competitors, are perfectly pitched Eurovision cheese, and delivered with winning sincerity, impressive vocals and some outrageous showmanship.
Volcano Man is an anthemic wonder, while Ja Ja Ding Dong is a unique sing-a-long example of Icelandic folk rock pop.
Real-life Eurovision presenter Graham Norton keeps a straight face playing himself despite some preposterous dance routines, malfunctioning costumes and a runaway giant hamster wheel.
Also watch out for Downton Abbey star Dan Stevens as a louche Russian singer.
This year’s contest was cancelled, of course, so if you’re in need of a Eurovision fix you’ll love this, which at its best is a pop-tastic piece of ridiculously sequinned escapist fun.
■ Available to watch on Netflix.