Blades of Glory

Yes, there are such things as good “stupid movies,” which is basically any Will Ferrell, Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, or Vince Vaughn comedy. Blades of Glory is truly stupid, but damn it’s funny, therefore I’d call it a good stupid movie (although I don’t think it’s better than Talladega Nights or Anchorman). The premise of two men as figure-skating partners is pretty creative, but sometimes there are cheap shots that suggest homophobia, even though the overall tone literally embraces bonds between men. Although I think Jon Heder doesn’t have a very broad range of talent when it comes to acting, he works here as the more flamboyant Jimmy MacElroy with his physical comedy and facial expressions. I love Will Ferrell, but I always worry for him by getting stuck in these stupid comedies as basically playing the same guy over and over again, just in different wigs. His Chazz Michael Michaels is good, but I thought he could have been a bit more creative with it. I wish there was more Will Arnett and Amy Poehler as a creepy sibling pair, whose outfits just kept getting more and more ridiculous. But one great chase scene between rivals Ferrell and Arnett is hilarious, if only it could have gone on a bit longer. In terms of storyline and some random unnecessary subplots, Blades of Glory does teeter on thin ice, but it’s the delivery of nonsensical lines and stunts that really make the movie have some credibility.

Directed by Josh Gordon and Will Speck
Runtime: 93 minutes