Semi-Pro (2008)

Director:

Kent Alterman

Writer (WGA):

Scot Armstrong (written by)

Release Date:

29 February 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Sport

Tagline:

The Greatest Fro on Earth

Plot:

Jackie Moon, the owner-coach-player of the American Basketball Association's Flint Michigan Tropics, rallies his teammates to make their NBA dreams come true

Plot Keywords:

Basketball | Nba | Merger | Team | Michigan

Awards:

1 win & 4 nominations

Cast

Will Ferrell	...	Jackie Moon
Woody Harrelson	...	Monix
André Benjamin	...	Clarence
Maura Tierney	...	Lynn
Andrew Daly	...	Dick Pepperfield
Will Arnett	...	Lou Redwood
Andy Richter	...	Bobby Dee
David Koechner	...	Commissioner
Rob Corddry	...	Kyle
Matt Walsh	...	Father Pat the Ref
Jackie Earle Haley	...	Dukes
DeRay Davis	...	Bee Bee Ellis
Josh Braaten	...	Twiggy Munson
Jay Phillips	...	Scootsie Double Day
Peter Cornell	...	Vakidis

MPAA:

Rated R for language and some sexual content.

Runtime:

91 min | 98 min (unrated DVD version) | 99 min (unrated version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | DTS | SDDS

Certification:

Ireland:15A | UK:15 | Australia:M | USA:R (certificate #43605) | Singapore:M18 | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Singapore:NC-16 (edited for re-rating) | Philippines:R-13 (MTRCB) | Sweden:7 | Japan:PG-12 | Argentina:16

Filming Locations:

Flint, Michigan, USA

Company:

Donners' Company

Trivia:

One of the Tropics players has the last name Munson. Woody Harrelson's character in Kingpin (1996) was also named Munson.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: Although the movie is set in the 1970s, many people in the crowd at various games are wearing current fashions, like hipster jeans and contemporary sports jerseys. This is most noticeable when the bear escapes and everyone in the crowd rushes to exit the stadium.

Quotes:

Dick Pepperfield: Here comes the Alley... and there goes the Oop!

Movie Connections:

References True Love (1989/I)

Soundtrack:

Love Rollercoaster

Not bad, not great - like most of Ferrell's recent efforts

I went to this movie with low expectations - I think that helped.

I love Will Ferrell - his deadpan moments, his crazy moments, his flat shouting - so will see pretty much anything he does.

Unlike Anchorman, this movie suffers from lack of inspiration. The film itself is pretty much several short films / skits held together by the premise of an ABA (semi-pro) team's hope to join the NBA.

Some of Ferrell's regular cohorts rejoin him - Will Arnett (Blades of Glory), Andy Richter (Elf), David Koechner (a standout in Anchorman) - and all do good jobs, but no one really shines.

The best part of this movie? Andre Benjamin. As an Atlanta girl, I grew up loving Outkast. He proved his acting prowess in Four Brothers, and he flexes his comedic muscles as the team's star, Coffee Black, and steals every scene he's in. With his giant afro and '70's funk, he is the most convincing and likable character in the movie. (With the possible exception of Dewey the bear.) I'll still see any movie that Will Ferrell does, but now I'll also see any of Andre Benjamin's.

If you like Ferrell or just want a pleasant diversion (it is rated R for lots of language), Semi-Pro is worth a look. But be forewarned: this is far more Blades of Glory mediocrity than Anchorman delectable satire.