Blades of Glory
Directors: Josh Gordon & Will Speck Rating: 3
Cast: Will Ferrell, Jon Heder, Will Arnett, Amy Poehler, Jenna Fischer, Craig T. Nelson, William Fichtner, Romany Malco
Hoping to catch the wallets of America and tickle their funny bones is “Blades of Glory”.
A story (oddly enough whose creation is credited to Busy Philipps), about two disgraced male figure skaters who team up to compete in pairs competition and put aside their rivalry, begs the question: “What would Brian Boitano do?”
Well, it shouldn’t be hard to get an answer because he has a cameo in the film. As do other well-known and decorated skaters Sasha Cohen, Peggy Fleming, Dorothy Hamill and Nancy Kerrigan.
In any case, my answer is that he would skate! That line sounded much better in my head and works better if you lisp.
Anywho … I went into the film expecting a funny, little movie where Ferrell can continue to elicit laughter from even the dumbest of ideas.
I got what I expected.
The film is almost comically short, with a runtime of 93 minutes, which includes the end credits. This works greatly in its favor as trying too hard to develop the characters and delve into their issues would only drag the movie down.
Speaking of characters, it’s no big secret I’m not much of a “Napoleon Dynamite” fan so including Heder wasn’t at the top of my wish lists. For a guy who has said he doesn’t want to keep playing the same character over and over again, he’s done a remarkable job of shutting up and taking the money.
Not that I blame him and I will capitulate that in “Blades of Glory”, I didn’t once think of the liger-loving dimwit America fell in love with a few years ago. There, I paid him a compliment and now I can move on.
Look out! Luke Wilson alert!
Yes, the less interesting Wilson brother (is there such a thing?) has found a way into the film, and for many of you who share my feelings on the subject, take solace that he’s only in it for one scene.
Lukewarm Wilson aside, I will say that I had fun watching “Blades of Glory” and it was worth getting my ass off the couch from the NCAA March Madness (especially because I already lost in my office pool).
A great distraction from his little cameo is the wonderful Jenna Fischer. She gave this movie some semblance of heart and has a great sense of comedic background timing.
Okay, I just made that term up. You got me.
But what I mean is that she facilitates the comedy without upstaging other people on screen (like Ferrell who draws your attention like a moth to a flame). It may just be using a lot of what she’s learned from playing Pam on the American version of “The Office”, but I will say she also looks fantastic in lingerie.
Now, if you looked at the cast list, one can’t help but notice that Craig T. Nelson is their coach. He’s even credited simply as “coach”. As that’s the role that people instantaneously recognize him for, I just would have loved to be in the casting meeting.
“So, we need to find someone to play their coach.”
“Wouldn’t it be funny if we got ‘Coach’ … you know, Craig T. Nelson?”
“Hey! That would be funny. Let’s give him a call.”
“Mr. Nelson?”
“Yes?”
“How would you like to play the coach in a –”
“I’ll do it!”
“Do you want to know what the project is?”
“No, no. Don’t bother me with details, son. You need a coach, I’m your guy!”
This completely fabricated discussion brought to you by C.A.R.C.A.S.S. - the Committee to Always Remember Coach And Shun “the Skulls”.
Back to “Blades of Glory”, it won’t surprise you and it won’t create loads of memorable catch phrases such as those in “Ghostbusters”, “Caddyshack”, or even “Anchorman” to make the analogies more relevant.
However, if you’re a Ferrell Fan (no, not like the cat you idiot, it’s spelled differently) you could do much worse for the price of a matinee show.
Lace up your skates and get out on the ice. I’m giving “Blades of Glory” a 3 out of 5. They aren’t inventing the wheel here but I’ll give this one another watch when it hits DVD shelves.
Cast: Will Ferrell, Jon Heder, Will Arnett, Amy Poehler, Jenna Fischer, Craig T. Nelson, William Fichtner, Romany Malco
Hoping to catch the wallets of America and tickle their funny bones is “Blades of Glory”.
A story (oddly enough whose creation is credited to Busy Philipps), about two disgraced male figure skaters who team up to compete in pairs competition and put aside their rivalry, begs the question: “What would Brian Boitano do?”
Well, it shouldn’t be hard to get an answer because he has a cameo in the film. As do other well-known and decorated skaters Sasha Cohen, Peggy Fleming, Dorothy Hamill and Nancy Kerrigan.
In any case, my answer is that he would skate! That line sounded much better in my head and works better if you lisp.
Anywho … I went into the film expecting a funny, little movie where Ferrell can continue to elicit laughter from even the dumbest of ideas.
I got what I expected.
The film is almost comically short, with a runtime of 93 minutes, which includes the end credits. This works greatly in its favor as trying too hard to develop the characters and delve into their issues would only drag the movie down.
Speaking of characters, it’s no big secret I’m not much of a “Napoleon Dynamite” fan so including Heder wasn’t at the top of my wish lists. For a guy who has said he doesn’t want to keep playing the same character over and over again, he’s done a remarkable job of shutting up and taking the money.
Not that I blame him and I will capitulate that in “Blades of Glory”, I didn’t once think of the liger-loving dimwit America fell in love with a few years ago. There, I paid him a compliment and now I can move on.
Look out! Luke Wilson alert!
Yes, the less interesting Wilson brother (is there such a thing?) has found a way into the film, and for many of you who share my feelings on the subject, take solace that he’s only in it for one scene.
Lukewarm Wilson aside, I will say that I had fun watching “Blades of Glory” and it was worth getting my ass off the couch from the NCAA March Madness (especially because I already lost in my office pool).
A great distraction from his little cameo is the wonderful Jenna Fischer. She gave this movie some semblance of heart and has a great sense of comedic background timing.
Okay, I just made that term up. You got me.
But what I mean is that she facilitates the comedy without upstaging other people on screen (like Ferrell who draws your attention like a moth to a flame). It may just be using a lot of what she’s learned from playing Pam on the American version of “The Office”, but I will say she also looks fantastic in lingerie.
Now, if you looked at the cast list, one can’t help but notice that Craig T. Nelson is their coach. He’s even credited simply as “coach”. As that’s the role that people instantaneously recognize him for, I just would have loved to be in the casting meeting.
“So, we need to find someone to play their coach.”
“Wouldn’t it be funny if we got ‘Coach’ … you know, Craig T. Nelson?”
“Hey! That would be funny. Let’s give him a call.”
“Mr. Nelson?”
“Yes?”
“How would you like to play the coach in a –”
“I’ll do it!”
“Do you want to know what the project is?”
“No, no. Don’t bother me with details, son. You need a coach, I’m your guy!”
This completely fabricated discussion brought to you by C.A.R.C.A.S.S. - the Committee to Always Remember Coach And Shun “the Skulls”.
Back to “Blades of Glory”, it won’t surprise you and it won’t create loads of memorable catch phrases such as those in “Ghostbusters”, “Caddyshack”, or even “Anchorman” to make the analogies more relevant.
However, if you’re a Ferrell Fan (no, not like the cat you idiot, it’s spelled differently) you could do much worse for the price of a matinee show.
Lace up your skates and get out on the ice. I’m giving “Blades of Glory” a 3 out of 5. They aren’t inventing the wheel here but I’ll give this one another watch when it hits DVD shelves.
posted by Upgrayedd at 3/22/2007 08:57:00 PM
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