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Re: 2007 Film List
Blades of Glory - 8 of 10
Genius.
I'm not the biggest fan of Anchorman or Talladega Nights, I think the soccer movie Farrell did was abyssmal, and one of the worst movies I've seen. Both Anchorman and Talladega Nights are on again off again funny. Anchorman is the worse film of the two, only occasionally funny but often in the land of 'notvery funny--flopping--SNL sketches that go on too long' Talladega Nights is a tighter film, but has a lot of the same, though not to the overwhelming degree of Anchorman.
Blades of Glory has none of that up and down, it is consistently funny throughout, right up until the tremendously silly ending. In many respects, I think this is due to John Heder, who is a perfect foil for Will Farrell. Farrell's affected naivete is only partially successful much of the time, whereas Heder's seems more genuine and real world, less dependent on mood swings and sudden shouting, outrageous verbiage etc, however it's often limited to weird, sad, geeky quirkiness. But combined the two are as brilliant a comic team as Farley and Spade or Carrey and Bridges. They generate all the energy the film needs to succeed and because the film is tight and focused, and logically progresses from moment to moment this is possibly Will Farell's best Will Farell comedy yet.
And if you've ever watched figure skating this is both a brilliant parody and at times a clever satire (though more parody than satire), the film has a lot more content to work with and plays it up, and it deserves an oscar nomination for the genius costume design, one of the highlights of the film that really takes it to the next level.
Blades of Glory doesn't take itself too seriously and has it's share of silly gags, but they are better handled here than in any prior Will Farell film.
Adam
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