Blades of Glory (2007)

Blades of Glory is the latest Will Ferrell formula sports parody. I think in the end, I'm simply not much of a fan of Ferrell's peculiar brand of comedy.

The film's premise is that Chazz Michael Michaels (Ferrell), and Jimmy MacElroy (Heder- who I think was dismal in Napoleon Dynamite), both get barred from men's figure skating. From the film's poster, it's not too much of a stretch to figure out what happens next. Yup, the two of them take advantage of some loophole and become an all male couple in pairs skating. Yeah, it's pretty ridiculous, and that's before they head out onto the ice.

The outfits these two wear are seriously deranged, as is much of the dialogue from their mouths as this film progresses. I can't believe some of the lines that are uttered, and not in a good way. Craig T. Nelson plays their coach as he essentially reprises his role from his television series by that name, although this time out it's skating (with practice in a fish freezer no less) and not football. There are also several cameo appearances (maybe that makes it a minor role) of Scott Hamilton playing himself as a sports anchor.

There are a few highlights. When a chase on the streets ensues on ice skates, it was mildly entertaining. Also, the choreography of the final routine, including the infamous "Iron Lotus" did hold my attention. Unfortunately, the rest of it didn't, and as such, I'm going to recommend that unless you are a huge Ferrell fan, I'd leave Blades of Glory on the ice. This is another example of the few decent parts not adding up to a decent film. Then again, Ferrell's latest film, Semi-Pro is following the same formula and due out in February '08 so someone must like this kind of stuff.

Overall Grade: C

Reviewed by Jonas