A sing-a-long ding dong.

For the uninitiated, the Eurovision Song Contest’s enduring popularity is a baffling one. The annual competition’s potent mix of high camp theatricality, exaggerated aesthetics, and questionable music quality certainly isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, yet anything that draws in hundreds of millions of viewers every year cannot be easily dismissed.

To even the show’s most hardcore stan, Eurovision is undoubtedly a bit naff. The whole thing has been naff since its inception, however, therein lies the magic . Its ridiculous charms will inevitably be a turnoff for some, but for others, Eurovision’s wink-and-nudge approach is precisely what makes it tick.

Not taking itself too seriously has been a core value of Eurovision for many years now. This kind of self-awareness also makes the show a tough prospect for scoring satirical points against, with any comedy failing to grapple with Eurovision’s knowing absurdities destined to falter. I mean, how do you mock something that routinely mocks itself?

The laughingstock of their hometown, aspiring Icelandic musicians Lars (Will Farrell) and Sigrit (Rachel McAdams) have one dream: win the Eurovision Song Contest. Much to the dismay of the town and, in particular, Lars’ father (Pierce Brosnan), the duo will stop at nothing in pursuit of their goal. Despite the odds stacked against them, when a twist of fate sees the band selected as Iceland’s Eurovision 2020 entry, it looks like their time to shine has finally come. But with the eyes of the world now on them, Fire Saga must prove to their many doubters that they are more than just a joke.

Much like Will Farrell in skin-tight Lycra, there’s something awkward yet strangely endearing about The Story of Fire Saga. Falling uneasily between spoof and full-blown Eurovision promotion, the film never quite fulfils its comedic potential, however, there’s something in its warm, endearing spirit that’s hard to resist.

Working more as a heartfelt Eurovision love letter than an out-and-out comedy, the film charms with a simple but amiable approach, yet often stumbles in its scramble for laughs. With Eurovision’s pomp and camp ripe for a ribbing, there’s a glorious oddball Christopher Guest-esque spoof in the subject somewhere, however, The Story of Fire Saga fails to find it.

Riffing on the inherent absurdities of the famous contest feels like too good a chance to pass up, yet The Story of Fire Saga never quite delivers the killer hook to back itself up. Save for a glorious scenery-chewing performance from Dan Stevens and some neat sight gags, there isn’t quite enough there to get your teeth into as the script goes for the low hanging Eurovision fruit but little more than that.

In all honesty, it’s been a while since I’ve laughed at or with a Will Farrell film, and while it’s certainly nowhere near the Anchormans, Elfs, or Step Brothers of this world, it’s cause for celebration enough that his latest effort at least raises the odd chuckle or two. Farrell’s recent lamentable comedy streak has undermined much of his excellent early work, however, despite The Story of Fire Saga’s overly long runtime and relative paucity of laugh-out-loud moments, there’s an endearing quality to it that’s been missing in Farrell’s career for some time now.

As is par for the course with almost all of his films, Farrell’s character is a lumbering doofus of a man but what helps elevate Lars above most of his recent misfires is the underlying warmth of the character. Of course, Lars is an infuriating, thinly characterised idiot, but there’s enough heart there to make this one of Farrells more appealing personas.

Alongside him, it’s the presence of Rachel McAdams that really makes The Story of Fire Saga work. As both a foil to Farrell’s slapstick silliness and in her solo moments, McAdams is a sweetly charming presence that helps cushion the film’s clunkier moments with a lovable, understated humour that will keep you adequately engaged, even as the film drags.

Stealing the show from both of its stars however, Dan Stevens is a brash, scenery-chewing beam of light. Decked out in a delightfully dazzling array of garish getups, Stevens’ part – complete with a Russian accent that’s just the right side of ridiculous – isn’t a particularly significant one, yet he lifts the film whenever his wonderfully smarmy presence is on screen.

Joined by an array of cameos from past Eurovision contestants of varying repute, the cast, like the film itself, is a collection of light, frothy, glittery niceness that may not leave much of a lasting impression, but will entertain nonetheless. The risk of descending into shallow condescension was always a risk, yet The Story of Fire Saga utilises the charms of its cast, a clear affection for the competition, and the lightness of its plot to win you over.

The plot itself is as by-the-numbers as they come, riffing on a tried and tested underdog story that you’ll be able to call from a mile off. Often descending into what equates to a glorified Eurovision promo, The Story of Fire Saga’s narrative is unlikely to thrill, and at the best part of two hours long, the predictability of the plot will try the patience of even the hardiest Eurovision fan.

Thankfully, the film’s enthusiasm and infectious energy save the day, as a collection of unashamedly catchy songs – including the gloriously ridiculous ‘Volcano Man’ and the infuriatingly catchy ‘Ja Ja Ding Dong’ – and all the patented Eurovision razzmatazz keep things interesting even as the plot hits the odd bum note.

Considering the tumultuous times we’re living in, the fact that The Story of Fire Saga equates to little more than a high energy, feel-good diversion is nothing to be sniffed at. Of course, it’s predictable and silly as hell, yet there’s something to be said for that right now. And, if nothing else, thanks to the film’s glorious setting, the film will make you wish you could hunker down with the elves in an Icelandic fishing village ASAP.

As baffling and as camp as the show it’s based on, your enjoyment of The Story of Fire Saga will be directly linked to how invested you are in Eurovision itself. While it never reaches anywhere near its comedic potential, there’s something undeniably endearing about the film that leaves it victorious despite its faults. Bolstered by the charms of its central pairing, the gloriously smarmy presence of Dan Stevens, and a bunch of ridiculously catchy tunes, The Story of Fire Saga isn’t quite the runaway winner it could’ve been, yet hits just enough of the right notes to succeed against all the odds.

Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga is available to stream on Netflix now.