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Blades of Glory

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 15; suggested age 13.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Spandex, stereotypes, and Will Ferrell on ice.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 13–15

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Sex jokes are homoerotic and homophobic; skaters are fierce, devious, and violent rivals ... then Chazz and Jimmy learn to be nice.
  • Violence:

    Awards ceremony fight leaves faces bloodied; another comic fight involves punching, kicking, and body-tossing; Jimmy's slide across the ice on his chest produces a visible burn; Jimmy is handcuffed to a toilet; a rival shoots at Chazz with a harppon, accidentally hitting the mascot in the head and frightening children.
  • Sex:

    Chazz's early "sex on ice" performances include choreographed crotch grabs and pelvic thrusts; he also licks a fan's face and intimidates Jimmy with sexual bravado (mouthing "I want you," etc.); references to "classic Euro-porn" and Chazz's Adult Film award; a woman wears a sexy corset to seduce a man; lots of crotch grabs and reaction shots to indicate discomfort or arousal; discussion of lyrics in the song "My Humps; Jimmy's stalker fan makes repeated bizarre sexual/romantic comments; discussion of Chazz's conquests includes him saying that he "tapped" Michelle Kwan.
  • Language:

    Repeated uses of "damn," "ass," "s--t," "bitch," and "hell" (Chazz says their new routine will go "straight up the ass" of figure skating), as well as other language ("turd," "balls," "wiener") and name-calling.
  • Consumerism:

    Products listed on the sides of the rink and otherwise visible include Verizon, 7/11, X-Box, Nationwide Insurance, Cup O' Noodles, Mane 'n' Tail shampoo, Foot Locker, Subway, and Fruit Loops.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Chazz is drunk during his performance in an ice show for kids (drinking, vomiting, slurring his words); mention of Quaaludes.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Blades of Glory was written by Cynthia Fuchs

Parents need to know that this Will Ferrell comedy has lots of verbal and sight jokes about sex, homosexuality, drinking, and drugs. There are goofy-but-sometimes-violent physical gags (like a decapitation that features obvious use of a mannequin and fake blood) and ads for sponsored products. Characters fight, get cut by skate blades, shoot harpoons (one hits a mascot in the head and scares screaming children), and do some painful-looking stunts on the ice (splits, falls, ice burns). Figure skating's foppish reputation is skewered repeatedly, with over-the-top spandex costumes, poofy hair, make-up, and histrionic ice dancing. It's especially evident when the two main characters team up to form a spandex-clad male-male pair who hold hands, perform lifts, and accidentally grab and kick each other's crotches. Language includes repeated uses of "sucks," "damn," "s--t," and "ass."

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about Will Ferrell's appeal. What makes something a "Will Ferrell comedy"? What do many of Ferrell's characters have in common? How are they different? What other kinds of characters has he played? Which do you like best? What age group do you think movies like this one are aimed at?
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More on Blades of Glory

What’s the Story?

Cocky ice-skating superstar Chazz Michael Michaels Will Ferrell shocks the sports world when he teams up with pretty boy and acclaimed men's singles champion Jimmy (Napoleon Dynamite's Jon Heder) in BLADES OF GLORY, a veritable "Odd Couple On Ice." After Chazz butts heads with Jimmy, the two bitter rivals are banned from future competition. That is, until Jimmy's most dedicated stalker-fan (Nick Swardson) comes up with the bright idea that they re-enter the circuit as a pair. The idea is so preposterous and yet so obvious -- after all, figure skating has such a "gay" reputation -- that it makes everyone nervous, including fellow skaters who worry about their own hetero-masculine reps. And yet, the guys' coach (Craig T. Nelson) soon has them doing lifts and leaps that no mixed-sex pair can manage (including goofily immature homophobic/homoerotic gags like repeated crotch grabs and a doubled faces-in-crotches pose). Chazz and Jimmy's success ignites the ire of siblings/reigning champs Stranz and Fairchild Van Waldenberg, who scheme to ruin their rivals.

Is It Any Good?

As pleased with itself as any other Will Ferrell comedy, BLADES OF GLORY targets buddy and sports movie conventions, and -- oh yes -- ponders the implied "gayness" of figure skating. Ferrell is loudly ridiculous and oversized, both figuratively and literally -- he gained weight for the part, with his eyes receding into his fleshy face and his belly stretching his spandex costumes. It's all meant to illustrate Chazz's prodigious ego and appetites. More a series of gags than a properly plotted story, Blades of Glory does offer a couple of very funny bits, including one in which a speedy chase on skates down a frozen river leads Chazz and Stranz to the shore. Their rage and fierceness are suddenly stymied, as they must walk -- legs bending and figures contorting as they wobble on their blades -- across a street, across a linoleum floor, and up an escalator.

But as clever as such physical business can be, the film's overwhelming focus is the sexuality anxiety signified by figure skating. While the movie does give Jimmy the requisite heterosexualizing girlfriend (The Office's Jenna Fischer), all that really matters is the pair. Will they make it? You get one guess.

Movie Details

Studio: DreamWorks Pictures, Director: Will Speck
Run time: 93 minutes
Theatrical release: 03/29/2007, DVD release: 08/28/2007
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for crude and sexual humor, language, a comic violent image and some drug references.

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    Hilarious, by far Will Farrell's best movie

    This movie had some crude humour, that may not be appropriate for younger viewers, but it was a hilarious movie. I usually find Will Ferrell movies to be a disappointment, but this one was definitely funny. Will Arnett and Amy Poehler as skating's golden couple are the best part.

  2. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    Great movie, just have to be mature about content.

    I have this movie recorded on TV and I've watched it seven times this week. You have to be mature about the content really. I just wish that the one scene where Jimmy slides on his chest was a little less... bloody.

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0

    Funny ice skating movie that will leave you laughing

    Blades of Glory is a movie that will keep you laughing every time you see it. Will Ferrell and Jon Heder play rival ice skaters Jimmy Macelroy (Jon Heder) and Chazz Michael Michaels (Will Ferrell) who are competing in the mens singles competition in stockholm. when they get tied scores on their routines they have a brawl fight on the podium leaving both of them being stripped of their medals and banned from mens singles for the remiander of their lives. but the only way that they can come back into skating is to become a male-male pairs team. This movie is funny but has a lot of sexual innuendo and humor. this movie will make you laugh till you cry your eyes out

  4. I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    Loved It!

  5. Adult Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 4.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

  6. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    Lives in Oregon
    I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it 4.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    for pre teens

    Great movie but Chazz drinks so much! He gets drunk all the time. But otherwise it was hillarious.

  7. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title pause for age 14 and give it 3.0

    Funny

    14- 16 if your that age watch it

  8. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Idaho
    I rate this title pause for age 14 and give it 5.0

    very rude but hillarious

    this movie is so funny i saw it when i was twelve and i couldnt stop laughing but it is quite rude so i give it a pause on 14 and up

  9. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Lives in Tennessee
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 3.0

    Even though dumb, the movie had a good moral to it at the end. The working together and Katie is not a whore thing. Good friendship.

  10. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 4.0

  11. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 2.0

  12. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 0.0

  13. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Missouri
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 5.0

    funny film

    i like it but it is innapropro. go if your 12 or up

  14. Kid Reviewer Age 8
    Lives in Minnesota
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 5.0

  15. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 5.0

    Hilarious

    This is a great movie!

  16. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 3.0

    Funny

    Nothing really to important for parents to keep an eye on. there was a part when a girl got decapitated and ya that was kinda scary. my little 8 year old brother went with us to watch it and there was no problem with him. i think this is good for ages 10 or 9+.

  17. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Missouri
    I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it 5.0

    I Watch This Movie WAY Too Much

    I LOVE THIS MOVIE!!! Umm But If Youre Still In Elementrey I Wouldent Watch It.

  18. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Colorado
    I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it 4.0

    Filthy and Funny

    I'll be honest--I'd let my 11 year old watch this, but he's also seen Anchorman, and the language is not much different. I do understand why a parent would not allow younger kids to see this--it IS filthy, but it's funny. Know your kid and know your tolerance for what they see--watch it first yourself--that's what I do when I wonder whether or not to let my son watch a movie!

  19. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it 3.0

    A couple laughs

    Will Ferrell is a great comedic actor, but this movie pushed his limits to the max. Jon Header was actually pretty funny, but nothing like he was in Napoleon Dynamite. Lots of sexual talk that may make kids uncomfortable while watching with parents. Definately not for kids. ...I'm still getting over the shock that that was Pam Beesly playing Katy.

  20. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it 5.0

    Spandex, Sex and Raunchy

    This movie is not only crude and mean it is bad.

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