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57%
Overall Rating
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Ranked #1,077
...out of 20,875 movies
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In 2002, two rival Olympic ice skaters were stripped of their gold medals and permanently banned from men's single competition. Presently, however, they've found a loophole that will allow them to qualify as a pairs team.
--IMDb
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In the tradition of "Anchorman" and "Talladega Nights" comes "Blades of Glory" - a comedy written and directed for the sole purpose of one thing - Will Ferrell. How popular is this guy that he's having comedies written for him, i.e. Adam Sandler, Rob Schneider. However, Ferrell eclipses both of those actors now and he's right up there with Ben Stiller. Normally, the idea of a script being based solely around one performer is a bad idea. For examples, take a look at "Mr. Deeds", obviously written around Adam Sandler; and, "The Animal", obviously written around legendary hack Rob Schneider. Will Ferrell's appeal to studios comes in his ability to play a multitude of eccentric characters, while always maintaining that same improvisational absurdity that makes his comedy stand out from all the rest. "Blades of Glory" takes a huge chance on Ferrell's abilities, and luckily for them, they've vested their hopes and dreams on the shoulders of a comedic giant. Ferrell isn't the 'new guy on the block' any more. He's the one bringing in the cash. He might be the most popular comedic actor working in Hollywood at the moment. Jim Carrey's brand of humor has come and gone. Adam Sandler is losing appeal with each new film. Ferrell represents a new breed of humor, alongside Ben Stiller and Steve Carell, that audiences just absolutely seem to love.
The premise for this film reminds you of something straight out of the 1980's - two rival men's figure skaters, Chazz Michael Michaels (Will Ferrell) and Jimmy MacElroy (Jon Heder), who loathe one another passionately are banned from their sport for life when they have an altercation at the Winter games that sets a mascot on fire and causes a national scene. Flash forward three years or so later and Chazz is working in a touring kids production and Jimmy is working at the local skating supply store. That is until they discover a loophole in the rules that would allow them to compete again - in the doubles category. Thanks to the help of their Coach (Craig T. Nelson), both men try to overcome their hatred of one another and win the gold. Sounds pretty generic. Enter villainous treachery in the form of another skating pair, Stranz (Will Arnett) and Fairchild (Amy Poehler) Van Waldenberg - and their sensuous sister, Katie (Jenna Fischer). They will stop at nothing to keep Chazz and Jimmy from winning the gold - and I mean nothing! Romany Malco stars as Jesse, the choreographer and Nick Swardson as Hector, Jimmy's very honest stalker. There are cameos throughout the film, but none more expected than Luke Wilson as a former sex-a-holic.
This film was very reminiscent of those 1980's comedies, like "Caddyshack" and "Stripes" and others like "The Great Outdoors". It feels like one of those. The script, by Jeff & Craig Cox, was probably only halfway translated to the screen. A lot of what Ferrell does in the film seems to be very much improvisational - it all seems like Ferrell might have written it himself. Either than, or Hollywood writers have now perfected how to write the perfect script for Will Ferrell. The film also has the tone of an MTV Films production, which it is. The opening montage sequences reminded me very much of "Zoolander" in their construction. The special effects were rather well done and there were quite a bit when you consider both Ferrell and Heder are probably not the most honed and accomplished skaters in the world. Sometimes you can tell the CGI and sometimes you cannot and I think it found a nice balance there. I was just surprised at how well most of it looked. I also enjoyed how the film didn't lose the whimsical and fantastically absurd creativity of films like the previously mentioned "Anchorman". We get fire bolts shooting from non-existent sleeves, large snowmen mascots taking arrows through the head, and actual human flying at the end.
As for the performances, what do you expect from a film like this - Oscar nominations? Will Ferrell does what he does and he does it well. Here, he creates a totally unique character with Chazz Michael Michaels, while still managing to keep it as much Will Ferrell as possible. Ferrell is a very likable presence on screen and audiences love to see what he will do and say next. That's how we used to feel about Jim Carrey. Though I loathed him in "Napoleon Dynamite" and just about every other film I have seen him in, Jon Heder is actually pretty entertaining here. He's not as one note as he usually is and he gets a lot of the humor. It also helps that he looks like a young girl. That adds a little of the humor. Craig T. Nelson is drop-dead hysterical being a serious as he possibly can in his role, kind of like Carl Weathers in "Happy Gilmore". Putting a strong, serious actor in a role like this and having them play it strong and serious is comedic gold. Will Arnett and Amy Poehler are rather well cast in their roles, especially at the end when they portray Marilyn Monroe and President Kennedy. And, look for all the great professional skater cameos, i.e. Scott Hamilton.
So, in terms of an entertaining and delightful cinematic experience, "Blades of Glory" delivers. It's no more or no less what it claims to be, and it does exactly what a film like this is supposed to do, and that is entertain. Will Ferrell continues his impressive streak of comedic hits and he really is turning into the Bill Murray (pre-Wes Anderson) of the new millennium. "Blades of Glory" might be the best comedy of the year, thus far. I haven't really seen many with which to compare it, but I can't think of one offhand that was more entertaining. My favorite scene in the film comes when Will Arnett is chasing Will Ferrell towards the skating arena. When they enter the facility, the chase becomes quite comical as they attempt to do on land what was meant to be done on ice. "Don't make me kill her" might be my favorite line from the entire film. It was small, but it counted. In conclusion, "Blades of Glory" is amusement for just about everybody and I think it delivers. If you don't go in expecting "Lawrence of Arabia", you shouldn't be disappointed with the product.
7.5/10.
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#1:
Ginose
- added August 26, 2007 at 1:04am
I'll star off with this: Will Farrel is a fad
who's finally come into the spotlight. He's nor
funny. He's never been funny. The only reason I
like movies like this one are because of te other
funny actors carrying the movie for Will. He's
like the side actor, the oters are the funny ones.
6.8/10
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#2:
bluemeanie
- added August 27, 2007 at 1:17am
I wish I could agree, and believe me I want to --
but I think Will Ferrell is the real deal. He can
carry a comedy like "Anchorman" (probably one of
my Top 5 favorite comedies ever), a comedy/drama
like "Stranger Than Fiction" and then pull in fine
and offbeat supporting work in "Winter Passing".
I think he is a very gifted actor who is finally
getting the success he deserves. He's not just
another Adam Sandler or Rob Schneider. He has
talent.
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#3:
Ginose
- added August 27, 2007 at 1:43am
Hey, "Anchorman" is in my top 10 comedies. Hell,
"Talledega Nights" is higher up than that, but I
just don't find the man amusing in the least.
"Anchorman" was hillarious only when he was with
other funny actors. Hell, that giant anchorman
gang fight had to be one of the funniest things
I've ever seen in my life, but that was because of
all of the other funny actors contributing to it.
"Talledega Nights" was a laugh riot because of,
once again, Ferell's interaction with the other
comedic masterminds there. "Stranger than Fiction"
bored me to tears... but the book did that as
well, so this didn't suprise me. I haven't seen
"Winter Passing", though I have considered it. I
don't think that Will has ever made me laugh.
Really. Not once. But as long as he keeps acting
with oter comedy actors, I'll keep going to see
his movies. His type of comedy is supportive, he's
yet to impress me on his own.
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#4:
duck
- added April 2, 2008 at 3:12pm
you ever notice how will ferrell wil have one
decent film, then have 3 or 4 bombs after that?
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#5:
Optimus Prime
- added February 18, 2009 at 3:30pm
One of the only films I've ever walked out of.
1/10.
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#6:
Lucid Dreams
- added February 22, 2010 at 3:35pm
Had some funny moments, but nothing is going to
bring me back to this film. I would mind to
seeing Jenna Fischer in that teddy again. 4/10
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#7:
Rest Easy Soul
- added July 25, 2010 at 11:01am
Average movie but I liked it
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