I am not quite sure why so many people find Will Ferrell funny. Anchorman and Talladega Nights were passable as comedies, but I thought he was a much better actor in Stranger Than Fiction. When I saw the promos for Blades of Glory, I immediately thought that I would be getting the typical Ferrell comedy that would leave me with a gross taste in my mouth rather than a good laugh. I was wrong to an extent; Blades of Glory was better than I thought even though I still had a gross taste in my mouth afterwards.
The story of Blades of Glory is fairly simple. Two rival figure skaters take their fight one step too far and end up being banned from competition. Jimmy MacElroy (John Heder) is the orphaned child prodigy that takes to the ice like a peacock to a..uh…well he actually takes to the ice as a peacock. He represent the purity of technique and beauty. In comparison, Chaz Michael Michaels (Will Ferrell) is the rock and roll skate whore (he is a sex addict) that would much rather have a beer and kick ass than talk about skate placement on a triple axle. Obviously their rivalry is like fire and ice (note the dramatic foreshadowing).
After trying unsuccessfully to live and work after being banned for life, both skaters end up meeting again. As they relax in jail after yet another fight, they are offered the opportunity to skate once again. The only problem is that it will have to be as a pairs team. Cue the sexuality jokes and start blasting “Eye of the Tiger.” So they train and compete and most importantly, become true friends (or brothers as Chaz says).
Overall the film was a good comedy. I laughed and many of the jokes which was a first for me when it came to a Will Ferrell film. The interaction between Ferrell and Heder was great and like many buddy films, was the base for the rest of plot to unfold. Each character worked their side of the fence whether it was the over sexed man meat of Chaz or the naive child that still likes snow cones of Jimmy. These parts had to be played to the hilt because so much of the comedy comes from their interaction. Speaking of acting, I really liked the way Katie Van Waldenberg (Jenna Fischer) was incorporated into the plot. There really is just something about Jenna Fischer that is appealing. It’s not the outright sexuality of a Jessica Alba but it still has the potential to capture your attention. This was definitely a step up for her career (although considering how good The Office is, it is a tough call).
One of the major problems I had with past comedies likes this (including Ferrell films) was that the over the top approach was never back with a story that made it worthwhile. Comedy can be good without a plot but it only becomes memorable when it accompanies and a good narrative. Blades of Glory has enough of a good story to to give a good review, but I’m not sure if I am ready to herald it as the next big comedy re-watcher. I still look to Monty Python and the Holy Grail as a great comedy and a great re-watcher. I hesitate to say the Blades of Glory is forgettable because it was a decent film.
Watch the film and have a good laugh. Blades of Glory should not be taken too seriously but yet at its heart is a story of two men putting aside their differences for the love of skating and each other…but only as brothers and partners…nothing else. I enjoyed the skating parts for their CGI wizardry or lack their of. I do have to give credit to Will Ferrell and Jenna Fischer for a gratuitous boob grab and a corset. I mean for making a good Will Ferrell comedy.
