2008 Woodie Awards
Semi-Pro Dissapoints
George Ackely, Contributing Writer
Issue date: 3/10/08 Section: Entertainment
As a happy-go-lucky elf, a racecar driver, an Olympic figure skater, or a man trapped in a fictional story, Will Ferrell loves to get laughs. Ferrell's latest on-screen adventure, "Semi-Pro," follows the same formula he's been sticking to for most of his career.
"Semi-Pro" is Ferrell's first rated R film since "Wedding Crashers;" however, unlike the latter, in this film he is the star and he makes it known to viewers. I'm sure that most of the readers know about the movie thanks to its huge advertising run, placing ads for the movie on everything from to billboards, to buses, to Superbowl commercials.
In "Semi-Pro," Ferrell plays Jackie Moon, the owner, coach, and player for the Flint Tropics in the American Basketball Association. Following an owner's meeting, when Moon finds out the Tropics won't be merging with the NBA the following season, Moon does what he can to try to persuade the commissioner to change his mind. What ensues is everything one would expect from a Ferrell comedy.
That's not to say the movie doesn't have its laughs, because it does. The only problem is that these laughs have all been done before in Ferrell's PG-13 rated stints on the big-screen. The movie is helped along with the R rating in the fact that it's able to "push the envelope" more than it would be without the mature rating.
The movie is also helped out by the hoards of comedians that also make an appearance in the film. Woody Harrelson, Andy Richter, and Will Arnett help add to the value of the film. In the end, despite the many cameos, "Semi-Pro" can't be saved from itself. While I wouldn't recommend avoiding the move altogether, I wouldn't recommend rushing out to the theater to see it either. If you happen to be looking for something to do on a rainy Saturday night, or if you have a free rental from Blockbuster in a couple months, give it a chance.
"Semi-Pro" is Ferrell's first rated R film since "Wedding Crashers;" however, unlike the latter, in this film he is the star and he makes it known to viewers. I'm sure that most of the readers know about the movie thanks to its huge advertising run, placing ads for the movie on everything from to billboards, to buses, to Superbowl commercials.
In "Semi-Pro," Ferrell plays Jackie Moon, the owner, coach, and player for the Flint Tropics in the American Basketball Association. Following an owner's meeting, when Moon finds out the Tropics won't be merging with the NBA the following season, Moon does what he can to try to persuade the commissioner to change his mind. What ensues is everything one would expect from a Ferrell comedy.
That's not to say the movie doesn't have its laughs, because it does. The only problem is that these laughs have all been done before in Ferrell's PG-13 rated stints on the big-screen. The movie is helped along with the R rating in the fact that it's able to "push the envelope" more than it would be without the mature rating.
The movie is also helped out by the hoards of comedians that also make an appearance in the film. Woody Harrelson, Andy Richter, and Will Arnett help add to the value of the film. In the end, despite the many cameos, "Semi-Pro" can't be saved from itself. While I wouldn't recommend avoiding the move altogether, I wouldn't recommend rushing out to the theater to see it either. If you happen to be looking for something to do on a rainy Saturday night, or if you have a free rental from Blockbuster in a couple months, give it a chance.
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