Not quite a 6.0 but still highly entertaining - 81%

Rating: 8/10 (1 September 2007)

Have to say it, I'm still not convinced by Will Ferrell's ascension to A-list comic genius. The only film of his that I'd rate is the so-goofy-but-still-funny "Anchorman" but his woefully unamusing turn in the disappointing "Bewitched" was toe-curlingly bad. In fact, Ferrell had a lot riding on this for him to regain my good favour but thankfully, he had played an absolute blinder. For once, the shouting mania of his usual performances has been replaced by a controlled and brilliant turn that pays off with what might be the best film of his career.
Ferrell plays Chazz Michael Michaels, an ego-driven ice skater who lives fast and hard. Developing an intense rivalry with the virginal genius that is Jimmy MacElroy (Jon Heder) that comes to a head at the World Championships in 2002 when the pair are banned for life after a fist-fight at the top of the podium. But after an apparent loophole is discovered, Chazz and Jimmy find themselves swallowing their pride as they team up to compete in the pairs, much to the surprise and disgust of everyone else. But they seriously worry the brother-and-sister team of Stranz and Fairchild Van Waldenberg (Will Arnett and Amy Poehler) and their non-skating sister Katie (Jenna Fischer), who soon captures the heart of MacElroy.
Like "Anchorman", "Blades Of Glory" picks a soft target and goes straight for the jugular - with hilarious consequences. Ferrell is perfect as the sleazy, sex-addicted idiot whose passion for gold is matched only by his hatred of his rival. And Heder tries his best to match Ferrell and he does well enough but this is Ferrell's show. The annoying shouting and over-acting have gone and been replaced by a faultless comic performance. It's surprising that nobody else has picked ice-skating up as a victim for spoofing but the lurid campness and faintly pornographic moves are replicated without much amplification and there is no getting around the fact that this is a funny film. Towards the end, it loses its way just slightly as it veers towards the wrong end of surrealism but because "Blades Of Glory" is about as silly and implausible as you can get, it's no great deal.
So what's not to like? Well, to be honest, not a great deal. The humour sometimes steers away from being too "family-friendly" but that's like saying "Casablanca" is rubbish because it's in black-and-white. I'd happily recommend "Blades Of Glory" to almost anyone except ice-skaters who take themselves too seriously. Everyone else will get the joke and enjoy this movie. As for Ferrell, he's back on form but he needs to be more consistent in his roles and his acting to justify his A-list status. But at least this is a step, jump and double-twist in the right direction.