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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 Ferrell's character on the outs only to be given a second chance by partnering with Heder's. 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 men's 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 Will's 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, I'm Matt Mungle.

The Mungle (03/28/07)

Matt is a member of the North Texas Film Critics Association (NTFCA) and hosts the weekly syndicated Indie Rock Radio Show Spin 180. Plus with his wife Cindy they do a weekly radio feature, The Mungles on Movies. For additional reviews and interview clips visit the website www.mungleshow.com