Semi-Pro
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Movie Reviews of Semi-Pro
Movie Review: Ben''s opnion
Summary: 3 Stars
I love movies that are mindless fun and I do not have think. If I want a message, I'll go to church.Movie Review: Will Ferrell Throws an Air Ball with Semi-Pro
Summary: 2 Stars
Perhaps it is becoming more and more evident that Will Ferrell is far better cast as a cameo appearance actor. Though he tends to be quit humorous in roles where he is not the lead actor, it is when the weight of the success of the film is in Ferrell's shoulders that he seems to falter time and time again. One really not need look any further than Taladega Nights to realize this but if that is not enough proof to support the hypothesis for you, then check out Semi-Pro.
Directed by Kent Alterman and written by Scot Armstrong, Semi-Pro is a rather lackluster comedy film that nails stupidity quite well but falls short in providing any real comedy throughout the entire film. There are merely a glimmer of comedy spread here and there throughout the film but the movie really seems to be a lot of tired old Will Ferrell jokes and humor.
Jackie Moon (Will Ferrell) is the owner-coach-player of the American Basketball Association's team the Flint Michigan Tropics. Moon, a sultry R&B artist known best for his song "Love Me Sexy" is equally as good at being an owner, a coach and a player on a professional ABA team, and that does not say much. His basketball prowess focuses on catch and pass time and time again and his coaching and ownership stake is more focused on coming up with witty pre-game introductions than it is on running a basketball program.
Andre Benjamin (of Outkast fame) plays the part of Clarence, perhaps one of the finest players on the Tropics squad. However, his skills being so far above some of the others on the Tropics also makes him the constant prized possession of so many other basketball teams. Though Clarence does change his name in the film to Coffee Black, there is nothing really all that strong about the peformance that Benjamin puts into the film.
The diamond in the rough for this film is the character of Ed Monix played by Woody Harrelson. Harrelson plays the part of a washed up former NBA player whose stints included spending significant time for several clubs on the court, but mostly on the bench. If it were not for Harrelson's performance in this film the entire movie would have needed to have been scrapped.
When the ABA decides that they are going to downsize and fold the remaining teams into the NBA, the owners need to come up with some sort of way to determine which teams will be on the chopping block and which will make it to the big time. The ultimate decision that was rendered now leaves the Flint Michigan Tropics fighting for a chance to make it into the big scene.
Moon decides that since his playing is certainly not going to launch him into the NBA that perhaps he can reinvigorate the fan base in Flint by a series of stupid entertainment promotions. Not only are Moon's ideas quite cheesy, but the fact that the viewer is subjected to have to sit there and watch his ideas come to life on screen is just as cheesy on the part of the writer and director.
Though when Will Ferrell is involved you are not expecting the most cinematographic piece of excellence, Semi-Pro does not even deserve to be called a minor league film. Just as the Flint Michigan Tropics were never going to make it in the basketball world, this film is never going to be thought of as being anything close to quality and in fact is not even really worth watching at all.
Almost as bad as the Boston Celtics were the year before their NBA Championship season this year, Semi-Pro is nothing more than a bunch of air balls and bricks and Semi-Pro ends up the loser.
Movie Review: Brick off the Backboard
Summary: 2 Stars
Look, I love Will Ferrell and Will Ferrell movies. Anchorman, Old School, and Blades of Glory are among my favorite Ferrell flicks. Ferrell's trademark obnoxious, sophomoric, frat mentality comedy appeals to immature nimrods like me; yet for all Ferrell's outrageous antics, they weren't near enough to save SEMI-PRO.
I first saw this movie during its theatrical release; during the showing the entire theatre was quiet, with an occasional cough or chuckle. It was one of the most surreal things I've ever experienced. Obviously, I wasn't alone in thinking there just wasn't anything of substance to this story about the old, flashy ABA of the Seventies--a league, with the exception of four lucky franchises about to be absorbed by the NBA, on the cusp of folding. I recently gave SEMI-PRO another chance by watching it on cable. I felt embarrassed.
Playing disco pop sensation Jackie Moon--a celebrity who buys and promotes his own ABA team, the Flint Tropics--Ferrell does all the ostentatious things he does in all his other movies; yet this time they don't click. There's no rhythm or pacing to the story, it's just one disjointed and incoherent scene following another. Woody Harrelson playing a washed-up NBA player brought in to save the Tropics adds nothing, Will Arnett and Andrew Daly as the broadcast team for the Tropics add little more, and David Koechner as an overwhelmed ABA commissioner has remarkably little that's funny to say. Everything is contrived, forced, uneven, banal, then ultimately forgettable.
And it's a shame, because SEMI-PRO had potential. But, alas, it's like a 1973 Cadillac left for scrap. Nothing works.
--D. Mikels, Author, Walk-On
Movie Review: Half-way there... Yeah, at least the name's right!
Summary: 2 Stars
Just finished seeing this movie. Have to say this - Will Ferrell kinda disappoints with this. Seeing his track record (remember Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Elf?!), it's clear he's put in effort for this feel-good sport-theme based movie, but at times he's gone over the top.
The story revolves around a small-time basketball team, who's happy to be just that - small-time. Till, they are made to realize they want to be part of NBA and play some "real basketball". The story is almost believable, and one can appreciate the feeling that the movie exudes. However, some so-called funny scenes are really unnecessary and some are outright crap! (I'll admit the reason for such crappy scenes might be that I was watching the unrated version.)
His promotion tactics are almost hilarious but never quite there. The costume dance, the eye-liner, the bear-fight - all are painfully but strictly not-funny. The euphoria towards the end seemed to me to be the best part of this movie.
Watch it - if you're really into Ferrell. The rest of the elements are almost peripheral.
2 out of 5 - only because it has some good laughs, though Ferrell's made me have better.
Movie Review: Consistent Like A Shaq Free Throw
Summary: 2 Stars
Synopsis: It's 1976 in Flint, Michigan. Jackie Moon (Will Ferrell) owns, operates, and plays for the Flint Tropics, which is the laughing stock of the American Basketball Association. Upon hearing the news that there will be a merger between the ABA and the NBA, Moon rejoices... until he hears that only the best teams will make the merger while the others will fold. Distressed, Jackie starts to inspire his group to be better, which includes bringing in veteran player Ed Monix (Woody Harrelson) to help fortify the playing style of the emerging Coffee Black (Andre Benjamin). Will the team succeed long enough to make it to the NBA?
Now, you can't all expect them to be hits with Will Ferrell and this is definitely an example of that. The jokes were tired after a while and while an uplifting story, it just seemed quite dull in comparison to the other comedies that have been recently released. I'd recommend it to die-hard fans of The Frat Pack, but other movie viewers probably won't enjoy it as much.