Zoolander on Ice

Rating: 5/10 (2 September 2007)

"Blades of Glory" is a fairly entertaining comedy that uses the "odd couple" concept at its core. Will Ferrell, as usual, is the funniest member of the cast, basically carrying all the comedy bits by himself. The script is so "run-of-the-mill", it feels like you've seen this movie before. Actually, you have: it was called "Zoolander", and used male modeling instead of figure skating as its theme. I found the parallels between Blades of Glory and Zoolander uncanny.
Both movies use a couple of self-obsessed dorks who are at the top of their game in an activity with less-than-manly overtones (male modeling, figure skating). Check!
Add lots and lots of funny gay undertones, which drive the comedic aspects of the film. Check!
Our two likable dorks are bitter enemies that have to find a way to work together in order to get back on the game and defeat their enemies. Check! Also, at a point in the movie, these bitter enemies have to dance awkwardly in a showdown (the "walk-off" of Zoolander, and the initial skating competition in Blades of Glory). Check!
In both movies the characters are introduced by TV anchors, as part of a live broadcast. And one of the two main characters is a sex addict. Check!
In both movies our heroes save the day by performing an exercise or maneuver that everyone else claims is impossible to accomplish ("Blue Steel" in Zoolander, "Iron Lotus" in Blades of Glory). Check!
Overall, "Blades of Glory" is an entertaining movie with some very funny moments, particularly those involving Ferrell. The script feels like something we have seen a dozen times (Dodgeball, Zoolander, School of Scoundrels, etc). Jon Heder's Napoleon act is starting to wear very thin, by the way. Overall, this film is the definition of a "renter", nothing more.