The Eurovision extravaganza is undoubtedly quite comical, and especially seen from a distance, such as from the U. S. Unfortunately for the filmmaking team behind the spoof Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, the Eurovision is in many ways spoofing itself each and every year. It's a spectacle which is already more satirical and over-the-top than what Will Ferrell et. Al. Is able to depict it as in this uneven comedy. The film isn't only a parody on Eurovision, however, it's also a parody on all things Icelandic. In this respect, the dabs are arguably less on target and far more stereotypical, but nevertheless occasionally quite funny. The subplots involving Pierce Brosnan and Mikael Persbrandt, respectively, are more effective than the creation of Will Ferrell's man-child character. The main problem with him is in the writing; the dialogue simply isn't funny enough. It's as if every idea that was thrown at the story pitch meetings was kept. His asexual romance with Rachel McAdams as Sigrit is the usual cringe stuff that some may find funny, but the film doesn't really come into its own and hit a nerve until the very end, when the denouement of the Alexander Lemtov character (brilliantly played by Dan Stevens) and the performance of the song "Húsavik" lifts everything to a welcome emotional conclusion. The real star of this show is Molly Sandén, who sings all of Sigrit's vocals. Look for numerous past Eurovision stars in cameos, particularly in the "song-along" segment, which is director David Dobkin's best achievement here.
