No amount or combination of shame, absurdity and unflattering outfits seem to dint Ferrell's fierce commitment to character.
Semi-Pro (2008)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:151
Fresh:31
Rotten:120
Average Rating:4.5/10
Consensus: Semi-Pro is an intermittently funny, half-hearted attempt at sports satire, and one of Will Ferrell's weaker cinematic efforts.
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... 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]
Starring: Will Ferrell, Woody Harrelson, Will Arnett, André Benjamin
Starring: Will Ferrell, Woody Harrelson, Will Arnett, André Benjamin, Rob Corddry, Maura Tierney, Josh Braaten, DeRay Davis, Jay Philips, Jackie Earle Haley, Andy Richter
Director: Kent Alterman
Director: Kent Alterman
Screenwriter: Scot Armstrong
Producer: Jimmy Miller
Composer: Theodore Shapiro
Studio: New Line Cinema
Reviews for Semi-Pro
Semi-Pro isn’t painful, but it’s a very minor credit for everyone involved.
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.
Will Ferrell's Semi-Pro is a dreadful comedy. It's lazy and slipshod.
Latest News for Semi-Pro
September 22, 2008:
Ferrell Swears Off Sports Movies ![]()
Sick and tired of Will Ferrell sports movies? Good news: the actor has promised USA Today that he's done making them. More...
June 02, 2008:
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Look out! Starship Troopers and Transformers are about to assault your senses in HD, and soon you can choose Harold and Kumar's adventures. This week's new releases are... More...
June 01, 2008:
Will Ferrell retro comedy reviolving around hijinks and hoops. ![]()
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