DVD Review: Semi Pro

Will Ferrell stars in Semi-Pro an outrageous comedy set in 1976 against the backdrop of the maverick ABA – a fast-paced wild and crazy basketball league that rivaled the NBA and made a name for itself with innovations like the three-point shot and slam dunk contest. Ferrell plays Jackie Moon a one-hit wonder who used the profits from the success of his chart-topping song “Love Me Sexy” to achieve his dream of owning a basketball team. But Moon’s franchise the Flint Michigan Tropics is the worst team in the league and in danger of folding when the ABA announces its plans to merge with the NBA.

Review:
Semi Pro is your typical Will Ferrell movie. If you’re a fan of his previous work, then you will without a doubt enjoy this title as well. However, to the avid movie-goer, there’s not a whole lot of substance to keep you entertained.

Semi Pro tells the story of The Flint Tropics, a basketball team that is about to be wiped out due their league merging with the NBA. Only the top 4 teams will be absorbed into the league, and it doesn’t look as if The Tropics will make the cut. The owner, head coach, and star player of the team is Jackie Moon, a singer who was a one-hit wonder. When news of the merger strikes, Jackie promises the team that he will lead them to glory.

The film largely relies on Will Ferrell’s comedic antics and while the central plot is quite strong, I felt the additional character plots were a bit overkill. Woody Harrelson does a fine job as Monix, but the whole romantic storyline between him and Maura Tierney who plays Lynn is just unnecessary and feels out of place with the rest of the film. Will Ferrell movies are best kept simple and to the point. Comedy is all that is needed to entertain his fans, and while it’s not my cup of tea, Will Ferrell fans will surely enjoy it.

Review by Emma Loggins

Grade: C+
Official site: http://www.semipromovie.com/
Buy on Amazon: Semi Pro

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