Blades of Glory

Rating: 5/10 (6 January 2011)

Someone told me that this film was either alright or rubbish, I can't remember which, but the two opinions wouldn't make a difference to me wanting to see the film. Basically there is rivalry between the two world famous professional ice figure skaters, sex addict and improviser Chazz Michael Michaels (Will Ferrell) and germ fearing and precise Jimmy MacElroy (Napoleon Dynamite's Jon Heder). After getting into a very heated fight on the awards platform that according to law they are banned from the ice skating event for life, causing them three years later to go into skating related only jobs, e.g. skating pantomime and selling them. Desperate for gold medal glory once again, one of the two men reads the rules carefully about competing in ice skating championships, and according to law, they originally did singles skating, there is nothing that says they cannot compete in doubles. Therefore Chazz and Jimmy try to patch up any differences and tram up in order to become the first ever male-male pair to skate together, going against new skating sensations the Van Waldenberg, Stranz Van (The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret's Will Arnett) and Fairchild (Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel's Amy Poehler). After mixed rehearsals and slowly building up a working relationship, Chazz and Jimmy enter the World Championship Pair's Division with hundreds of surprised faces, but end their performance with a standing ovation. Coach (The Incredibles' Craig T. Nelson) knows that the final of the competition has to have something that will stun everyone, and he shows them a clip of the most dangerous skating move ever performed, with fatal consequences if done wrong, called the "Iron Lotus", he wants them to perform it. Before they can get to the final, they are kidnapped by Stranz and Fairchild, and they kill the Winter Sport Games Mascot, Snowflake, and they get away to beat them while restrained. Of course Chazz and Jimmy escape and make it to the ice rink just in time, and despite the original rehearsal planning, they swap places for the potentially deadly skate move, but they do it, the Van Walderbers are arrested, Jimmy kisses their daughter and his love interest Katie (Jenna Fischer), and they win the gold returning to glory. Also starring William Fichtner as Darren MacElroy, Romany Malco as Jesse, Nick Swardson as Hector and Rob Corddry as Bryce. Ferrell and Heder together make a great comedic duo, the skating sequences are surprisingly good viewing, especially to songs like Aerosmith's "I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing" and Queen's "Flash", a good fun ice skating comedy. Worth watching!