Common Sense Media Review
Spandex, stereotypes, and Will Ferrell on ice.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Blades of Glory
What's the Story?
In BLADES OF GLORY, overconfident ice skating superstar Chazz Michael Michaels (Will Ferrell) and hardworking men's singles champion Jimmy (Jon Heder) spend their careers going up against each other in the rink with very different styles. When their bitter rivalry comes to a head in a physical fight and they're banned from future competition, Jimmy's most dedicated stalker-fan (Nick Swardson) comes up with the bright idea that they reenter the circuit as a pair. The concept is preposterous—and yet so obvious. Soon, their coach (Craig T. Nelson) has Chazz and Jimmy doing lifts and leaps that no other pair can manage, igniting the ire of siblings/reigning duo champs Stranz and Fairchild Van Waldenberg (Amy Poehler and Will Arnett), who scheme to take the two men out of the race for good.
Is It Any Good?
As pleased with itself as any other Will Ferrell comedy, this one targets buddy and sports movie conventions and ponders the implied "gayness" of figure skating with juvenile glee. 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 overwhelmingly relies on "gay panic" for its low-bar laughs while making sure viewers know that the main duo aren't really gay by giving Jimmy the requisite girlfriend (The Office's Jenna Fischer). Unsurprisingly, this movie barely acknowledges her; all that really matters is the pair. Will they make it? You get one guess.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Will Ferrell's appeal in Blades of Glory and his other popular films. What makes something a "Will Ferrell comedy"? What do many of Ferrell's characters have in common? How are they different? Can you think of other actors whose movies have a very strong style like his?
The movie shows the importance of friendship, loyalty, and teamwork. How are these helpful in the plot of the film? Why are they important to have in real life?
The movie plays into stereotypes about male figure skaters being effeminate. Did you find the humor funny? Why, or why not? What are some other sports that are stereotypically gender-coded? Can you think of films that challenge those stereotypes?
Movie Details
- In theaters : March 29, 2007
- On DVD or streaming : August 28, 2007
- Cast : Jon Heder , Will Arnett , Will Ferrell
- Directors : Will Speck , Josh Gordon
- Studio : DreamWorks
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Sports
- Run time : 93 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : crude and sexual humor, language, a comic violent image and some drug references.
- Last updated : October 17, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate