BLADES OF GLORY

SYNOPSIS: After being banned from their sport for life, two male figure skaters – who just happen to hate each other – begrudgingly unite to form a pairs team in order to compete again and accomplish their dreams of winning gold.

BOTTOM LINE: While this movie has definite moments of comedy gold, especially in the first half hour, there just isn't enough of a plot or character development to fashion it into a pitch perfect performance. Heder and Ferrell are both men without shame when it comes to their craft and they work magically off one another here. Nothing is too embarrassing to get a laugh and they seem to relish the silliness and seriousness of the skating world. Their routines are believable, yet ridiculous all at the same time. While they're onscreen together, the film is energetic and hilarious. When it falls into the various subplots, the air seems to go out of the enterprise. Poehler and Arnett just seem to be trying too hard, their incestuous siblings willing to do anything to win are more creepy than funny. Fischer does a decent job as Heder's love interest, but is far too normal to fit in with this crowd. Even though she gives the film sweetness and heart, she sticks out like a sore thumb, unable to keep up with the manic antics of her co-stars. Much like the announcers in DODGEBALL, one has to give a shout out to Scott Hamilton and Jim Lampley, who show they have a sense of humor about their sport by delivering some of the film's funniest lines while describing the action on the ice. Clearly the actors aren't really skating, but that doesn't take away from the laughs drawn out by their routines. This isn't Ferrell's best film, but it is one that showcases his talent for creating memorable characters that are sometimes greater than the story.