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Blades of Glory
Like the USSR and the 1984 Olympic games,
Cindy has boycotted Will Ferrell films due to
Talladega Nights.
Matt's Review below
Will Ferrell goes for comedic gold in his new film Blades of
Glory. After faltering to bronze at best in his previous Talladega
Nights, the pressure was on to regain his position atop the
medal podium. He makes it but as in this new film he does not
stand there alone. Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite) helps make
this film the truly laugh out loud comedy that Ferrell fans
have grown to expect. It is almost ironic as we see Ferrellís
character on the outs only to be given a second chance by partnering
with Hederís. Though Blades is Will in top form I am not sure
he could have carried it alone. And why should he?
The story is as silly as they come. The two
top menís figure skaters, Chazz Michael
Michaels (Ferrell) and Jimmy MacElroy (Heder)
are banned from singles competition. With no
other place to turn they reenter the skating
realm as the first ever male pairs skaters in
history. That visual alone is enough to carry
this film through most scenes. Add to that
the distinct difference in the characters and
what you have is a foundation for hilarity.
Plus if there is anything easy to make fun of
it is the world of figure skating. And the
real skaters have to know that. Why else
would you have Jon Heder and Will Ferrell in
the same film with figure skating icons like
Scott Hamilton, Dorothy Hamill, Peggy
Fleming, and Nancy Kerrigan? They understand
that you can take it seriously but at the
same time it is an open target for parody.
An element that helps this film achieve its
goal is the supporting cast. This formula is
what made Anchorman great. In Blades of Glory
you have a very freaky brother and sister
pairs skating duo played by Amy Poehler (SNL)
and Will Arnett (Arrested Development).
Poehler is one of the greatest female comic
actresses out there today and her presence in
this film is welcomed. She is a master at
facial expressions and comic delivery. Arnett
as well is perfect at playing the guy you
love to hate. Add to the mix Jenna Fischer
(The Office) and Craig T. Nelson and you give
Ferrell breathing room to work his magic
without carrying every moment.
Blades of Glory is rated PG-13 for crude and
sexual humor, language, a comic violent image
and some drug references. It contains exactly
what you would expect from a Ferrell flick.
It is laden with sophomoric sexual humor and
Willís constant preoccupation with his body.
Blades definitely earned its PG 13 label and
those who are put off by this sort of humor
will find a few scenes uncomfortable. I give
Blades of Glory 4 out of 5 lifts for this
genre. Is it as great a film as 300? Of
course not. But for a simple comedy that just
wants to make you laugh for 90 minutes it
nails the landing every time. With a look at
Blades of Glory, Iím Matt Mungle.
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Matt and Cindy are members of the North Texas Film
Critics Association (NTFCA). For additional reviews
and interview clips visit the website.
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Mungleshow Productions
Matt Mungle
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