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:

Fall From Height | Priest | Dance Show | Mauling | F Word

Awards:

5 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	...	Scootise 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

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

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

Filming Locations:

Flint, Michigan, USA

Company:

Donners' Company

Trivia:

In the film, Jackie Moon states that he has never vomited before, claiming that not even as a baby did he once vomit. In fact, as a baby Will Ferrell suffered from pyloric stenosis, a condition that causes frequent vomiting. A surgical scar on his upper right abdomen from the surgery he had to treat this condition is evident in this and many other films.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: Although the movie is set in the 1970s, many people in the crowd at the various games can clearly be seen wearing modern day fashionable clothes such as hipster jeans and contemporary sport shirts. This is most noticeable in the scene when the bear escapes and everyone in the crowd rushes to exit the stadium.

Quotes:

Jackie Moon: There'll be a lotta television cameras out there so we just gotta be tip top.
Clarence 'Coffee' Black: So what's the plan?
Jackie Moon: Brought a secret weapon. It's going to make us look extra cool on Tv.
Bee Bee Ellis: What the hell is that?
Jackie Moon: It's eyeliner dummy. Now who's first? Monix?
Monix: Oh yeah... Let me get a fresh Maxi-Pad outta my purse.

Movie Connections:

References Blades of Glory (2007)

Soundtrack:

Why Can't We Be Friends

You Like Will Ferrel? Go on ahead and see it then...

This movie hinges on one simple fact: do you or do you not just enjoy Will Ferrel?

If the answer to that is yes, then you will enjoy this a lot. Because there's not much new doing here: it's Ferell as another idiotic, self-loving, loud and beef-headed, dim-witted professional...insert obscure profession or athlete. This is just "Anchorman", "Ricky Bobby", "Blades of Glory", or what have you, except in basketball. If you enjoy those movies, and Will Ferrel's shameless antics (I'm not saying they're bad, I'm just saying I want to see him try something else now and then) then here's one for you.

But I also give kudos to the supporting players (like Woody Harrelson, who in a stroke of brilliance, is acting like he's in a real drama and not a spoof), the inspired 70's soundtracks and references. 6/10