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Blades of Glory - Movie Review Hot

Movie Reviews

Release Date: March 30, 2007
Studio: Dreamworks
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy
Director: Josh Gordon, Will Speck
Writers: Jeff Cox, Craig Cox, John Altschuler, Dave Krinsky, Busy Philipps
Cast: Will Ferrell, Jon Heder, Will Arnett, Amy Poehler, Jenna Fischer, William Fichtner, Craig T. Nelson, Nick Swardson, Romany Malco
Synopsis: When rival figure skaters Chazz Michael Michaels (Will Ferrell) and Jimmy MacElroy (Jon Heder) go ballistic in an embarrassing, no-holds-barred fight at the World Championships, they are stripped of their gold medals and banned from the sport for life. Now, three-and-a-half years on, they've found a loophole that will allow them to compete: if they can put aside their differences, they can skate together - in pairs' figure skating
The Review: You're Critic for the Evening: Michael Dayspring

Does teaming up Will Ferrell and Jon Heder make for comedy glory? Strap on some skates, put on a Dorothy Hamill wig and pop a squat for the latest comedy from Dreamworks.

In a movie season plagued by horrible comedies, this one glides right over the competition for some great fun and laughs.

When Chazz Michael Michaels (Will Ferrell) and Jimmy MacElroy (Jon Heder) get into a slap and tickle fight on the ice in 2002 both men are stripped of their medals and banned from men's single competition for life. As the year's role by both men have fallen far from grace and fame. It's not until Hector (Reno 911 repeat offender Nick "Terry" Swardson),
Jimmy's number one stalker, finds a loop hole that will allow Jimmy to compete as a pair that things begin to turn around for both men. While on his quest to find a decent partner to hit the ice with Jimmy comes face to face with his mortal enemy Chazz. They pick up right where they left off for another round of grab ass, catching the attention of Jimmy's former coach (Craig T. Nelson) who has a plan to put the two men together as a team. But will they kill each other first?

Jon Heder as had a pretty even career trajectory. Since he burst on the scene as Napoleon Dynamite in 2004 most of his roles have been similar to Napoleon's goofy style. Jimmy MacElroy isn't a huge stretch from this path but it is a step in the right direction. Jimmy has innocence to him that Jon delivers jubilantly; he's a naïve soul that has been so sheltered by his adopted father/sponsor Darren MacElroy (William Fichtner) he just doesn't have much of a clue about the world off the ice.

Farrell's Chazz Michael Michaels is the sinful polar opposite of MacElroy; he's a lone wolf (by his own declaration) and thrives on the dark under belly of the skating world. So full of himself and his skills he's part Ricky Bobby and part Ron Burgundy; you don't know if you want to kick this guy in the balls or buy him a pint. Clearly not Farrell's most original character and full of the shtick you'd expect from him, but is that a bad thing? Actually...no I still get a kick out of Will's kid like enthusiasm and it seems the crowd does as well. Will Farrell mixes his roles up enough and keeps things fresh. The guy is having a great time with his career and it shows on screen.

As for comedic villains you can't get better than Stranz (Will Arnett) and Fairchild Van Waldenberg (Amy Poehler) as the all too creepy brother and sister skate team and number one competition for the boys. While I miss "Arrested Development" I'm happy its demise has freed up Arnett to pursue other projects, though a "Arrested" movie could be hilarious ("Lets go to Prison" doesn't count). Poehler has been circling great roles for a number of years; she certainly has a knack for finding herself in some good films supporting the chuckles while making a name for herself. Obsessed to win at all costs these two would skin orphans and wear their skin as costumes if they thought it would help get gold around their necks.

Supported by great cast members like Craig T. Nelson (Incredibles), Romany Malco (40 Year Old Virgin), and Jenna Fischer (The Office), this turns out to be a pretty damn funny comedy and fairly quotable. I doubt it'll turn out to be one of those highly re-watchable films you'll thrust upon your friends to test their funny bone meter, but it's got heart and it hits the right riffs to make it stand out from other comedies this year so far.

Prognosis: Sing it with me kids! "What would Brian Boitano do if he was here right now;
He'd see this movie for a laugh or two, That's what Brian Boitano'd do."
Rating: 2.5 out of 5

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