Man-child Will Ferrell playing an unconventional sportsman and lame lothario may not sound like the most original movie description, but it’s a case of 'if it ain’t broke don’t fix it,' with new movie Semi-Pro.
He attempts to bludgeon the audience into laughter by sheer force of personality. Petulant rants, violent tantrums and hysterical outbursts are what he’s good at and they are here in good measure. Ferrell fans will be delighted, but we can’t help feel we’ve seen this character before.
Semi-Pro opened in the USA with figures of $15 million sales. Other films would kill for opening figures like that, but Will Ferrell's last two outing made considerably more. Talladega Nights made $47 million and Blades of Glory made $33 million. It suggests a sliding stock, perhaps it’s a case of the public tiring of the similar Will Ferrell shtick. That doesn’t mean Semi-Pro isn't funny, though.
Set in 1976 as a minor-league basketball team in Flint, Michigan, run by Ferrell’s owner-player-coach Jackie Moon, attempts to upgrade to the majors. And it follows the team’s transformation from no hope, no fans to sporting heroes. They play in the ABA and only four teams will get promoted to the NBA – and Ferrell will do anything to ensure they get there.
The setting is classical 70s and Ferrell goes overboard with the bushy hairdos and psychedelic suits which look like there’s been an explosion in a fancy dress store. Jackie Moon’s Love Me Sexy provides a constant backing heartbeat to the film and it can’t help but give you the loving funky feeling.
The best part of Ferrell films is the entourage he brings along. As always this film has an all-star cast. Unusually though, it's not the names you would expect that bring the laughs. Woody Harrelson plays Ed Monieux the fallen idol looking for one last season, but fails to recapture his Kingpin form, whilst OutKast’s Andre Benjamin adds the 'razzle' but without any real comedy.
Andrew Daly (Dick Pepperfield) and Will Arnett (Lou Redwood) prop up a lot of the film with their sharp dialogue and disrespectful banter. The fact the two sports commentators provide the best laughs perhaps suggesting Ferrell’s best stuff (Anchorman) is best delivered in sharp one-line commentary.
Tim Meadows isn’t in the film much, but its no coincidence he’s in one of the funniest parts of the film. A hilarious Russian roulette scene around the poker table.
Semi-Pro is as anarchic, preposterous and ridiculous as the previous Ferrell films. If crazy catch lines; “It’s like the Titanic only with bears,” and childish behaviour (Ferrell asking for the ball on court 15 times and then passing it backwards every time) are what you want then you won’t be disappointed. If, however, you’re expecting a subtly clever new Ferrell comedy, you won’t find it here.
[story by Edward Marsh]