This film is another example of the same WillFerrell formula repeated in a slightly different situation. I can’t help but feel that he agrees to star in any movie that lands in his lap. It almost seems as if he is tiredly going through the motions, and judging by his performance on the talk-show circuit and his recent movies, he just doesn’t give a shit anymore. He’ll continue to make movies like this until the day he dies.
Ferrell’s comedies are hit or miss. The good ones (such as "Anchorman" and "Old School") contain other accomplished comedic actors to help share the laugh load, whereas the dismal ones, like "Blades of Glory" (featuring the insufferable Jon Heder) leave Ferrell to carry the chuckle burden solo. Luckily, "Semi-Pro" features a host of funny actors to help share the spotlight.
Jackie Moon (Ferrell) is the owner, promoter, coach and star player of the Flint Michigan Tropics of the American Basketball Association (ABA). The ABA is planning to merge its best four teams with the NBA. The problem is that the Tropics are the worst team in the league and if they want to make it to the NBA, Jackie Moon must get his team to start winning. To do so, he trades a washing machine to another team for a former NBA benchwarmer, Monix (Harrelson), to help in the task. Upon his arrival, Monix assumes, the role as hero of this film and is also the love interest in a forced romantic sub-plot. The film is more about Monix than Jakie Moon, which could have been entertaining, except for the fact that Monix is not humorous in the least; a stark problem for a comedy.
The movie is long-time producer Kent Alterman’s directorial debut and he does a somewhat decent job. Scene transitions are clean, the movie is organized well, and he gives his cast of comedic actors ample time to show the audience their chops in a movie that draws its comedy from their improvisational ability. The script, however, lacks any semblance of plot-derived hilarity, and it’s pretty obvious that without Ferrell and his cohorts’ improvisational prowess the movie would be absolutely dreadful.
Aside from Ferrell’s performance, subtle high points of the film include Matt Walsh (formerly of the "Upright Citizen’s Brigade") as priest/referee Father Pat and Will Arnett as an alcoholic announcer.
The two-disc release of "Semi-Pro" has a plethora of special features. Everything from deleted/alternate scenes (Amy Sedaris’ cut cameo is a must-see) to featurettes on production design and location shooting, "A Short History of the ABA," a behind-the-scenes look at the production of "Love Me Sexy- The Story Behind the One-Hit Wonder," and a quick bit about Bill Walton’s visit to the set. There is also a 24-minute "The Man Behind Semi-Pro" feature that is informative and covers many aspects of creating the film.
I was, however, quite disappointed with the lack of Ferrell commentary track which have always been hilarious in the DVD releases of his past endeavors. New Line attempts to make up for this with the inclusion of a theatrical and unrated version, as well as a digital copy of the film.
