Blades of Glory
Paramount
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Bitter figure skating rivals Chazz Michael Michaels (Will Ferrell) and Jimmy MacElroy (John Heder) lose their international competitive standing after brawling after tying for the gold medal at the world championships. Seeing their lives slide downhill after being banned from the sport for life, the archrivals beat the system by doing what nobody had ever expected: using a loophole that allows them to skate again -- in pairs' competition. Co-starring Will Arnett (Arrested Development), Amy Poehler (Saturday Night Live) and Jenna Fischer (The Office).

Building hearty laughs on a paper-thin storyline, Blades of Glory does what any good Will Ferrell vehicle does: allow Ferrell room to move with the support of a cast with their own comedic credibility.

Given the previous success of the film's writer/producer team (not to mention that of Ferrell and Heder) in milking hilarity out of thin air, it's no surprise that Blades of Glory actual comes off as being sincerely funny without seeming so silly that the average viewer won't turn off their DVD player in disgust.

The film has its share of Old School, Napoleon Dynamite and Talladega Nights gut-wrenching, tear inducing belly laughs, and keeps consistent with Ferrell's well-worn "buddy comedy" formula. The laughs aren't confined to Ferrell and Heder, however, as equally funny SNL, Arrested Development and The Office alum (Amy Poehler, Will Arnett, and Jenna Fischer) hold their own amidst the film's absurd storyline and strength of the Ferrell/Heder comedic dynamo. The film's PG-13 rating takes the edge off of the raunch, making this movie equally suitable for “dudes' and families (albeit one's with a sense of toilet humour) alike.

The sport of skating, to its credit, seems to have embraced the film's final delivery of the long-pregnant comedic premise of competitive figure skating, by acknowledging the lighter-side of the sport with cameos and self-depreciating humour from some of the sports elite, past and present.

But let's not kid ourselves -- if you weren't previously a fan of Will Ferrell or Napoleon Dynamite, this film probably won't change your mind, and it won't vault to the top of your "Must See List". Full of Ferrell "goodness", Blades sees Ferrell more willing than ever to embarrass himself for a laugh (leotard, skates and a headband, anyone?), all the while enjoying random - some might say self-indulgent -- moments of humourous monologue. The comedy basics to Blades are simple: endearingly satirical takes on the otherwise absurd world of competitive figure skating. The costumes alone will get you through a Friday night in front of the TV.

Video: How's it look?
Widescreen-enhanced 16:9 format makes Heder's "Peacock" costume and Ferrell's "Stephen Tyler meets Elvis Stojko" costumes jump off the screen. But really -- how close up do you really want to see Ferrell in a unitard?

Audio: How's it sound?
Dolby 5.1 surround adds atmosphere to the competition scenes (and an extra kick to the movie's more hilarious lines) and the DVD features French and Spanish dubbed and subtitled tracks also.

Extras: What additional goodies are included?

• Return to Glory: The Making of "Blades"
• Celebrities on Thin Ice -- a look at the training behind the skating sequences
• Cooler Than Ice: The Super-sexy Costumes of Skating
• Arnett & Poehler: A Family Affair -- interview with real-life couple and on-screen duo Will Arnett and Amy Poehler.
• 20 Questions with Scott Hamilton
• Hector: Portrait of a Psycho-fan
• Deleted Scenes
• Music Video: "Blades of Glory" -- Bo Bice
• Gag Real
• Deleted Scenes
• Alternate Takes

Closing Thoughts
Blades of Glory delivers the same quotable hilarity that past Ferrell flicks have proudly slipped into the modern comedic zeitgeist with ease. No one's expecting a miracle out of this movie, and it delivers with confidence. Jam packed with extras, Blades of Glory makes for a great rental -- even if you're viewing partner doesn't have “matching junk'.


Review brought to you by our friend Scott @ MonkeysAtWork.com