Movie Review: Semi-Pro

Rating: Null/10 (19 September 2008)

There's a point in Will Ferrell's new sports movieyes, another one in which he plays a flabby, goofy guy oblivious to his own monumental dysfunctionwhen the comedian achieves pure cinematic brilliance.
I am talking, of course, about the scene in which his crotch is displayedin slow motion, no lessthrough the slits of his 1970's basketball Daisy Dukes.
Okay, so maybe "Semi-Pro" isn't the most clever or original of Ferrell's films. It reaches nowhere near the laugh-out-loud hilarity of "Old School," "Elf," "Anchorman" or "Talladega Nights," but I'd be lying if I said it didn't crack me up at least a little bit. While "Semi-Pro" doesn't aim to be much more than it isan excuse for Ferrell to be more over-the-top and obscene than ever, knee-high socks and curly afro in allFerrell proves that there's still some juice left in this type of sports film, despite the fact that it contains about as much substance as a rice cake.
Ferrell's Jackie Moon is the owner, coach, promoter and star of the Flint Tropics, an underperforming down-market American Basketball Association franchise Jackie acquired after his lewd funk song "Love Me Sexy" made him a one-hit wonder. But Jackie doesn't know the first thing about basketball. A self-professed enemy of X's and O's, he instead focuses on planning crazy promotional events and halftime entertainment for league games, like free corndog night if his team scores over 125 points (he has no corndogs) or roller-skating off a ramp over eight Tropics cheerleaders. This is where the film has the most fun and separates itself from other run-of-the-mill sports comedies. Watching Jackie wrestle a bear named Dewey or scream "No!" after a stoned hippie nails a full-court shot for $10,000 proves that nobody can do loud, dumb humor like Ferrell.
When word gets out that the ABA is planning to merge with the NBA, an initially exuberant Jackie is told that his team must finish at least fourth in the league and average 2,000 spectators a game to survive the union. Desperate to improve, the Tropics trade for the washed up Monix (Woody Harrelson), a former Boston Celtics benchwarmer who whips his team into shape. Soon, Jackie's team (surprise, surprise) realizes they can play, and slowly become the darling of Flint, Mich. As a result, the Tropics make a run at the seemingly impossiblefourth place glory.
There are plenty of laughs to be had, mostly at Jackie's expense, but Scot Armstrong's script throws up a few lazy, obvious bricks from time to time. Ferrell doesn't receive the great comedic support he had with Vince Vaughn, Steve Carell and John C. Reilly on his best films, and several times he comes off as simply trying too hard to be funny.
Harrelson has proved with movies like "White Men Can't Jump" and "Kingpin" that he has legitimate comedy chops, and he fits into the whole Ferrell universe very nicely. However, as the film goes on, Monix gets more and more bogged down by dramatic subplotsincluding a romantic angle involving an old flame (Maura Tierney)that feel very flat. Having Harrelson and Ferrell play off one another a bit more could have made for a more memorable film.
Instead of utilizing a tired underdog story with less than subtle humor, first-time director Kent Alterman could have developed the premise's potential for ripe satire of professional athletics and feel-good sports movies. The film is a big dumb mess, and it's absolutely content with that.
But "Semi-Pro" has a certain charm to it, undoubtedly enhanced by the R-rating that allows Ferrell to lace his rants with an incredible amount of curse words. Andrew Daly and Will Arnett are hilarious as the perpetually square Dick Pepperfield and the alcoholic Lou Redwood, providing very funny commentary as the Tropics' radio broadcast team. Jackie Earle Haley is also great in a bit part as a dirty hippie.
Alderman has a great eye for period details, particularly involving the hair, man-scarves and basketball uniforms that perfectly capture a 1970s retro vibe.
While "Semi-Pro" doesn't rank at the top of Will Ferrell's comedy canon, there's still some funny stuff here. Just don't expect anything fresh from Mr. Ferrell on this go-round. Maybe this summer's "Step Brothers" (July 25) will help the comedian regain his versatility.
**.5 out of ****