When I first heard about Netflix's Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga [1], I knew I was going to love it. If it was even half as ridiculous as the actual Eurovision contest — and knowing Will Ferrell, it probably would be [2] — it would certainly be worth a watch. Well, now that the movie has premiered on Netflix, let me tell you: my predictions were correct and I absolutely loved it!
The film follows the story of Icelandic singing duo Lars Erickssong (Will Ferrell [3]) and Sigrit Ericksdottir (Rachel McAdams) [4], who are probably not siblings, as they realise their dream of competing in the Eurovision Song Contest. However, all of Iceland views them as a laughing stock, and it's only thanks to a freak accident that they are able to compete. Sigrit is hopelessly in love with Lars, while Lars only thinks of winning the contest and gaining his father's (Pierce Brosnan [5]) approval. Along the way, their bond is tested by the ridiculously handsome Russian contestant Alexander Lemtov (Dan Stevens [6]), who sees greater things in Sigrit's future that doesn't include Lars.
Of course, the movie wouldn't be complete without an epic soundtrack [8] that includes Ferrell singing, since according to Step Brothers he has "the voice of an angel." It also has everything you'd expect from a movie about Eurovision with everything from cameos of past winners to outlandish costumes to an appearance by Graham Norton [9], who is a UK Eurovision mainstay. It also has a few things you might not expect, like a potential murder subplot and elves being the catalyst for a few important moments.
Now is this a perfect movie? No, as there are a few tired tropes, particularly involving Alexander's storyline. But is it a fun movie I will watch over and over again? That is a resounding yes. You can watch for yourself since Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga is currently streaming on Netflix [10]. And if my feelings weren't clear enough, set out an offering for the elves and get ready for a brain-dump of my unfiltered thoughts.
- Is Pierce Brosnan [12]'s Icelandic accent considered good?
- ABBA is always a good place to start a film.
- Let the little boy dance!
- Will Ferrell [13]'s teeth are extremely crooked. Rachel McAdams [14]'s are nice. My father is a dentist, and I am cursed to never look past this.
- Damn, do I need Rachel McAdams's crown and silver jacket?
- Wait, that was all in their minds? That's kind of a bummer. Cool concept though.
- Where can I get Sigrit's brightly coloured sweater and overall combo?
- It looks like Lars didn't give much thought to the fact he was going to a cemetery.
- I'm grateful my father was never harsh like Lars's . . . although I probably would've sold the house, too.
- Sigrit's hair is everything.
- I've wasted my life on far less important things.
- "And you might think that I'm drunk but I am dead sober. And I am very serious." I'm copying this line. No idea where I'm going to use it, but I will find a place.
- The real star is Lars's luxurious mane.
- "Jaja Ding Dong" is an absolute bop.
- I take that back, Lars has an amazing striped jacket that I need.
- ELVES DO EXIST. YOU ARE ONE, WILL FERRELL [15]!
- Alright, Demi Lovato [16] needs blonde hair yesterday.
- Guess I need to book a trip to Keflavík.
- Of course they submitted on a tape.
- "Come on guy." "Don't you call me guy." Is this South Park?
- "Be a cool guy." I feel like I wrote this movie.
- Sigrit talking to the elves is the cutest thing I think I've ever seen in my entire life.
- Do I need to ask elves for a boyfriend?
- "Do a classic camel. It's never out of style."
- I'm not sure I'm into 21st century vikings.
- DAMN, LOVATO. THOSE PIPES.
- Not going to lie, falling from rigging is one of my biggest fears. Also being laughed at by an entire crowd, let alone Iceland.
- I want someone to love me like Sigrit loves Lars.
- But I don't want someone to kiss me like Lars.
- I take it back. This is my nightmare.
- "THE ELVES WENT TOO FAR." Yes, Sigrit, they did.
- It's fitting that Dan Stevens's song has a lion background, seeing as he was the Beast.
- But that hair though . . . no, thank you.
- Kitty Kat Fancy. That is all.
- Even Jae-bong agrees he wasn't just being friendly, Sigrit.
- So a song-a-long is actually the riff-off from Pitch Perfect.
- I'm sure these are really important Eurovision cameos that I will look up later.
- It's the cute Norwegian violin player, Alexander Rybak, from 2009!
- It's CONCHITA WURST!
- OH, HELL YEAH! IT'S NETTA BARZILAI. Look up her song "Toy."
- French maid and little sailor boy? What am I watching? Why is he talking about his penis like it's a Volvo?
- I would also love to go club dancing. IT HAS BEEN SO LONG.
- Mita and Alexander have something up their sleeves, I know it.
- Lars going "sex nuts" is absolutely not what I knew I needed until today.
- I mean . . . he's not wrong about Americans. We do love Starbucks and view Europe as our party town.
- I absolutely thought Katiana's ghost was Daenerys.
- From what little I've seen of the actual Eurovision, this is extremely accurate, including Graham Norton's appearance.
- I take that back, I think Mita is a great person.
- I, too, would like to cool it with the homies. Particularly, homies with those abs.
- I'd like to think that most of the children in the village potentially being Erick Erickssong's (Pierce Brosnan [17]) is a Mamma Mia Easter egg.
- "Double Trouble" may just be the song of the summer.
- AND IT WAS GOING SO WELL.
- That's right, they deserve ALL your clapping.
- Bet you feel like a jerk now, Lars. SHE WROTE THE SONG FOR YOU.
- I'm getting goosebumps from all the votes to Iceland. WHY AM I CRYING?!
- Fabergé eggs and a pet tiger? Sign me up, please.
- Did I just watch the elf murder scene on repeat? Yes. It was that ridiculous.
- The door slamming shut? Poetic cinema.
- Where can I get elves to do my bidding?
- OF COURSE IT'S THE AMERICANS. Why do I love everything about this movie?
- "Jamba Juice, come on!"
- From here on out, I'm yelling at everyone, "JET DRIVE!"
- Where can I meet the lion of love? Is that something you have to sign up for or?
- "Don't come to Iceland. You might be killed by elves."
- I can see now why we didn't see Demi Lovato [18] in the trailer.
- She was very much a useless ghost. Not even in the fun useless way like the ones from A Christmas Carol.
- Lars made it in time! And he's asking her to sing her song.
- I'm glad Lars learned his lesson about winning, because we deserved this beautiful song, even if they do get disqualified.
- And the goosebumps are back. Catch me swaying back and forth to "Húsavík (Hometown)" in my living room.
- SHE HIT THE SPEORG NOTE.
- Wait, Lars and Sigrit are married AND their parents are married? I can see why this is weird.
- The Americans are back. I love their friendship.
- And we've come full circle. Back to "Jaja Ding Dong" we go.