Blades of Glory – DVD Review

Film, Reviews

Available at Amazon.com

Director

Josh Gordon and Will Speck

Cast

Will Ferrell……….Chazz Michael Michaels
Jon Heder……….Jimmy MacElroy
Will Arnett……….Stranz Van Waldenberg
Amy Poehler……….Fairchild Van Waldenberg
Jenna Fischer……….Katie Van Waldenberg
William Fichtner ……….Darren MacElroy
Craig T. Nelson……….Coach
Nick Swardson……….Hector

The Movie

It’s easy to see the thoughts behind the creation of Blades of Glory. Take the actors behind two of the more memorable comedies of the new millennium, Jon Heder of Napoleon Dynamite and Will Ferrell of Anchorman, and place them in a situation where they can play off each other in the same sort of goofy comedy that both excel in. From that thought process came Blades of Glory, one of the highest grossing comedies of the year so far.

Ferrell and Heder star as Chazz Michael Michaels and Jimmy MacElroy, respectively, two figure skaters at the top of their game. MacElroy is the golden child of skating, plucked from an orphanage and propelled into the limelight as the teen heartthrob of the sport. Michaels is the bad boy of the sport, embracing sexually provocative skating routines to go with an equally provocative lifestyle. When a tie in the Olympics leads to a brawl between the two, both are subsequently banned from the sport for life. Several years later, the two are far removed from the limelight when a way to get around the ban is discovered. When MacElroy’s most obsessed fan Hector (Nick Swardson) finds a loophole allowing them to compete as a pairs team, it’s up to Coach (Craig T. Nelson) to whip the two back into shape. Competing against a pairs combination that has ruled the sport for many years, Michaels and MacElroy have to overcome the odds to bring home the Gold Medal that both want, the gold medal that will bring a certain measure of redemption to both their careers.

And while it has the story motif of being an underdog film, Blades of Glory is played for a farce from the opening moments. From the elaborate video for Michaels proclaiming his figure skating wins and adult film awards to MacElroy’s unique training methods as a child to the Iron Lotus maneuver the duo practice as a means of winning the gold, the film is a send-up of the underdog genre in an outrageous and highly entertaining fashion.

The problem is that a good percentage of the jokes don’t work as effectively as they could. The film goes for the easy gag a lot and misses a lot of potentially much funnier jokes in the process. It’s a crowd pleaser but stops short of being on the same par as the better comedies of the year. As it stands it’s in the second tier; funny, but not outrageous comic fun as it could’ve been.

A/V QUALITY CONTROL

Presented in a Dolby Digital 5.1 format in a widescreen presentation, complete with 1.85:1 aspect ratio, the film has a first rate transfer and audio component. It’s a colorful film that uses a lot of pastels in both its costume work as well as in its scenery and the DVD comes through wonderfully. The film’s audio comes through wonderfully as well, as it takes full advantage of the format.

The Extras

Return to Glory: The Making of Blades is a making of featurette with all the main players of the film. Presented to Will Ferrell by longtime associate Ben Stiller, who was a producer, it’s a feature that doesn’t take itself too seriously as the cast has a fun time talking about the film’s production.

Celebrities on Thin Ice is looks back at seeing the actors learn how to skate. It’s interesting to see them preparing for their roles and even more interesting to see that Arnett is the best skater of the bunch.

Cooler than Ice: The Super-Sexy Costumes of Skating is a look by the cast at the rather intricate costumes they wore in the film.

Arnett & Poehler: A Family Affair is a short feature with the married couple discussing their roles in the film in a farcical manner.

20 Questions with Scott Hamilton is a series of farcical questions to Hamilton, who rolls with the punches quite effortlessly.

Hector: Portrait of a Psychofan is a look back at Swardson’s character that’s almost painfully unfunny.

A Music Video for the song “Blades of Glory” by American Idol loser Bo Bice is included, as well as the usual Deleted Scenes, Photo Galleries, and the obligatory Gag Reel with some Alternate Takes included as well.

The Moviefone: Unscripted featuring Ferrell, Arnett and Heder asking each other questions supplied by viewers and having a good time doing so.

The DVD Lounge’s Ratings for Blades of Glory
CATEGORY
RATING
(OUT OF 10)
THE MOVIE

7.0
THE VIDEO

8.5
THE AUDIO

8.5
THE EXTRAS

6.0
REPLAY VALUE

7.5
OVERALL
7.0
(NOT AN AVERAGE)