By MIKE JENNINGS Special to the Daily Press
I heard once that winners are not made, they are born. This is definitely the case with Will Ferrell and Jon Heder, paired as the world’s first competitive male pairs figure skaters.
Directed by Will Speck and Josh Gordon, best known for the Geico caveman commercials, “Blades of Glory” proves to be a smashing directorial debut. Adding the role of a nymphomaniac, swaggering rock star-esque Chazz Michael Michaels seemed second nature to Ferrell as he dominates the parody genre once again. This brutish, “take me as I am” character has women clamoring for his affections as he shoots off his imaginary revolvers before entering into a triple axle and nailing it perfectly. Thank the Lord for CGI specialists.
Delivering a performance that rivals “Napoleon Dynamite,” cast as the narcissistic but naive Jimmy MacElroy, Heder shows that he is becoming a true heavyweight contender. This flamboyant, metro-sexual character takes our heart, as well as the gold, with his innocent boyish charm.
There is a definite reason this movie is sitting atop the box office charts, a definite must-see for those who love parody, those who do not will probably still even get a laugh or two.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 12, 2007. Read the original PDF.