Semi-Pro: Review By CinemaguyMaster

Just when we thought Will Ferrell made a big comeback in Blades of Glory (where he played a flamboyant skater), he disappoints us with his new insipid film called Semi-Pro—directed by first timer Kent Alterman. This comedy is based on a fictitious basketball team in the 70s who couldn’t escape their ABA (The American Basketball Association) last place status, but because of their strong perseverance—and sometimes madness—of all the team members, they became something greater than themselves in the world of basketball. Does it sound like a good story? Actually it sounds more familiar than anything else. That’s because of its tiresome plot that has been done many times before—and a very boring one I might add. Not only the story is extremely cliché, the jokes are flat and sometimes even offensive. Semi-Pro feels more like a Semi-Comedy.

Brief Intro Story:

It is 1976 and Jackie Moon (Will Ferrell) is the head coach, player and promoter of the unpopular—and dysfunctional—ABA basketball team Flint Tropics. He has a hit song and everybody likes him, but his team is not doing so well. They play so bad that their current last place in the competition is well deserved. On top of that, the ABA announces that they are going to merge into the National Basketball Association (the real deal!). Unfortunately only four teams will be able to make it to the big league. It is up to the Flint Tropics to get their stuff together and play hard to win that fourth place—winning is something they are not used to.

Review:

Will Ferrell as a leader of a basketball team—or a leader of anything for that matter—is a hard sell. In most of his films, he is the immature, irresponsible or flamboyant character (and he is great doing it), but watching him showing “leadership” just doesn’t ring true. Not only does he fail to give us the impression that he will take care of business, but his promotional strategy, the situational jokes that his friends are part of (I don’t usually laugh at people punching each other, playing with a loaded gun or masturbating), and the interaction between all of the team members are uninspiring, boring and moronic. Even for a comedy, I cannot see these guys accomplishing anything! Furthermore, the audience also expects some “true” uplifting moments or speeches that would go with the underdog plot, but it doesn’t happen. Instead we get two unnecessary dramatic cliché subplots and a few publicity stuns preformed by Ferrell—one including a fight against a bear—that don’t really entertain. Then the final game comes with its "satisfying" ending, and it's so beyond predictable that anyone would figure it out. Please less drama and more comedy next time because I never laughed or cared once about any of these characters. Unfortunately, my only concern was checking the time.

I’m glad to say that director Kent Alterman does give us a look and feel of the 1970s. The scenarios, clothing and hairstyle and even the color temperature used in the film takes us back to the disco era. It’s a shame that the filmmakers only got the technical aspects of the film right.

The Verdict:

I cannot recommend Semi-Pro—even if you are a fan of Ferrell—because of the lack of originality, humor or any sense of adventure. I like his comedy in other films, but here I found mostly distastefulness and bad performances. Also this kind of “underdog” team story has been done before and much better. If you want to see a good underdog basketball film, you can rent Hoosiers and I guarantee that you’ll have a better time watching it.