Movie Review

‘Semi-Pro’ not Ferrell’s best, but still quite watchable

New Line Cinema’s “Semi-Pro” bounced its way into the top spot at the box office over the weekend. The basketball comedy starring Will Ferrell scored with $15.2 million over the last three days. The film takes place in the mid-70s, where we find Jackie Moon (Ferrell), a one-hit wonder. Moon uses the profits from his chart-topping song “Love Me Sexy” to purchase the Flint Michigan Tropics of the American Basketball Association (ABA). He becomes owner-coach-player on the Tropics, which are the worst team in the league, and in danger of folding. When the league’s commissioner (David Koechner) announces that four teams from the ABA will merge with the National Basketball Association (NBA), Moon, obviously thinking that his Tropics stand a chance, is brought to the harsh reality that his team isn’t even considered. He manages to rally the other owners to come up with a plan that the top four teams in the league will be the ones who will merge with the NBA. In an effort to improve his team, Moon trades the team’s washing machine for Monix (Woody Harrelson), an NBA benchwarmer who won a ring with the Celtics. Monix brings to the team some attitude, along with some strife from team star Clarence “Coffee” Black (André Benjamin). Monix also returns to the city of his long-lost love Lynn (Maura Tierney), hoping to resume their relationship. With attendance and basketball skills both horrible, Moon relies more on promotions and his motto “everybody love everybody,” which isn’t turning the Tropics’ season around. When Black asks Monix to begin coaching the team, the Tropics develop a sense of team while Moon continues to provide antics to draw attendance. For the most part, “Semi-Pro” is a great look back at the old ABA/NBA merger process. The nostalgic feel of this film is pretty neat, with everything from leisure suits and huge afros. While this isn’t Ferrell’s greatest hit, it is definitely watchable. Some parts of this film, he absolutely tries too hard, and it shows. But he has a cast of characters that alleviate some of the redundancy. The side story of Monix and Lynn’s relationship developing is funny albeit strangely done. Stealing almost every scene he’s in is Benjamin, who ends up being traded before the last game, only to switch sides at midpoint. He fits this role as Black, an individual who constantly changes his nickname prior to every game. As a warning, there is some excessive vomiting, so I wouldn’t recommend eating prior to viewing. At one point, “Semi-Pro” was beginning to resemble the hockey classic “Slapshot,” but then went into a different direction. The brawl during the commercial break is without a doubt the funniest scene in the movie. With soccer, ice skating, basketball and auto racing films in his resume, there are few sports left for Ferrell and his cast of merry men to tackle (no pun intended). So within keeping it at the 90-minute mark, and perhaps freshening things up a bit, another sports film by Ferrell will continue to draw. If he looks at his opening gate for this film and doesn’t reinvent a little bit, then his agenda will become stale and he’ll have to look at other genres. While “Semi-Pro” isn’t necessarily a slam dunk, it’s a solid three-pointer at three out of four stars. “Semi-Pro” is rated R for language and some sexual content. Running time is 1 hour, 30 minutes. For more information and show times, contact Regal Cinemas Marketplace 24, 180 Mill Road, Oaks, at 610-666-6697. Dennis J. Wright can be reached at dwright@phoenixvillenews.com.