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Semi-Pro (2008)
Rated: 15
Runtime: 90 mins
Theatrical Release: 29-02-2008
Synopsis: Over the course of a string of successful comedies that includes TALLADEGA NIGHTS and BLADES OF GLORY, Will Ferrel has perfected a type of swaggering, machismo-fueled character, heavy on ego and severely lacking in intellect of any kind. Typically set in the world of sports, these movies... Over the course of a string of successful comedies that includes TALLADEGA NIGHTS and BLADES OF GLORY, Will Ferrel has perfected a type of swaggering, machismo-fueled character, heavy on ego and severely lacking in intellect of any kind. Typically set in the world of sports, these movies have allowed Ferrel free range to both mock and celebrate idiot masculinity. SEMI-PRO, Ferrell's homage to the wild, afro-picked splendor of the short-lived American Basketball Association, continues this trend, and finds him embodying yet another larger-than-life hunk a burnin' love in the form of Jackie Moon, R&B singer-turned-owner/player/coach of the hapless Flint, Michigan Tropics. As sports movies go, SEMI-PRO's story should be more than familiar to even the most casual fan. The Tropics are a lackluster franchise that place good times and flash over winning. However, when the league announces that they will be merging with the NBA and only taking the top four teams along, the Tropics buckle down and give true ballin' a shot. SEMI-PRO follows the comedic formula of other Ferrell movies and contains an equal amount of satire (tame-but-effective ‘70s goofs), slapstick (on-court brawls, zany stunts), and surreal non-sequiturs (an improvised poker game provides one of the film's most deliciously bizarre scenes), but it's not exactly interchangeable with Ferrell's other movies. Though the actor cuts loose as Jackie Moon, the film is decidedly an ensemble picture, with Woody Harrelson providing the movie's true protagonist, in washed up former NBA player Monix, and Andre Benjamin offering a charming turn as flashy NBA wannabe Clarence "Coffee" Black. Perhaps most interestingly, however, is SEMI-PRO's surprising attention to detail, though the Flint Tropics are a fictional team, the real ABA was every bit as wacky, unhinged, and, yes, entertaining as SEMI-PRO itself. [More]
Genre: Comedies
Starring: Will Ferrell, Woody Harrelson, Will Arnett, André Benjamin, Rob Corddry
DVD Info
Release:
Mar 6, 2008
DVD Features:
- Widescreen - 2.35
Audio:
- Dolby Surround 5.1 EX - English
- Stereo 2.0 - English
Additional Release Material:
- Theatrical teasers and trailers
- Featurette - 1. The Story Behind the One-Hit-Wonder
- 2. Recreating the American Basketball Association
- 3. Four Days in Flint
- 4.The Man Behind Semi-Pro
- Behind the scenes footage with Bill Walton, Bob Costas and Dick Pepperfield
Interactive Features:
- Animated Menus
Music Video:
- Love Me Sexy
Reviews
It's certainly funny enough for a late-night out, but it's just not nearly as good as die-hard Ferrell fans will think it is.
Disappointing, poorly written and essentially laugh free comedy that wastes a strong comic cast.
Ferrell mugs his way through with enthusiasm, but Harrelson looks a bit dumbstruck by it all.
Shouting? Big hair? Vague sense of disappointment? Congrats! You’re watching a Will Ferrell sports comedy.
Ferrell seems to be running on empty, despite a luxuriant McEnroe afro-with-headband and a past as a one-hit wonder ("Love Me Sexy").
All in all Semi-Pro dribbles along but never really delivers a comedy slam-dunk.
Chillingly devoid of laughs, and looks like some deconstructionist experiment, deliberately draining the comedy genre of jokes to show the parched, pointless story-skeleton beneath.
The movie's absurdist humour and muted ambitions have paved a path for slipshod anarchy, and hinted at greater things to come from future Ferrell movies.
Well worth a look but this isn't trying hard enough to be as dumb as it needs to be. Next time, Ferrell, less ambition please.
Semi-Pro is beyond resuscitation thanks to about three decent gags throughout. On the rollercoaster track that is now Ferrell’s career, this is close to a new low. And after turkeys like Bewitched, that’s saying quite something.
Semi-Pro is no disaster, but debut director Kent Alterman proves that Ferrell is better off working with the pros.
According to the Ferrell method, the art of comedy characterisation is to put on a straight face (daft hairstyle optional), bellow the first thing that comes to mind (rude words optional), race around like a child on a sugar rush… and repeat.
‘Semi-Pro’ resorts to the bombast of brash ‘infotainment’ news and sports programming to mine its humour.
It’s rimshots all the way in this unexceptional Will Ferrell basketball comedy.
Coming from someone that didn't like Ferrell's last few comedies, I can say that this is an improvement.
Qualifies as a sort of cinematic comfort food: it's the mac and cheese of the cineplex.
... a film that is bipolar in its intentions, at once trying to make us laugh at Jackie and care about the rest of the characters, but it's a losing battle on both sides.
Aside from the 'fro and his sport of choice, Jackie Moon is really no different whatsoever from Ricky Bobby, or whatever Ferrell's character's name was in "Blades of Glory.
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