Helena Frye
Will Ferrell is an American actor and comedian, known for his roles in a variety of comedy films. In 2008, Ferrell starred in the sports comedy film 'Semi-Pro', alongside Woody Harrelson, Andre Benjamin, and Maura Tierney. The film is set during the final season of the American Basketball Association and follows the story of a fictional ABA team, the Flint Tropics, desperate to survive the league's merger with the NBA. Ferrell plays the owner, coach, and player of the team, Jackie Moon, who is famous for the ageing disco hit Love Me Sexy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Film Name | Semi-Pro |
| Genre | Comedy, Sport |
| Year | 2008 |
| Director | Kent Alterman |
| Writer | Scot Armstrong |
| Producer | Jimmy Miller |
| Co-stars | Woody Harrelson, André 3000/Benjamin, Maura Tierney |
| Will Ferrell's Character Name | Jackie Moon |
| Jackie Moon's Occupation | Owner/Player/Coach of the Flint Tropics |
| Opening Weekend Gross | $15 million |
| Total Worldwide Gross | $43,884,904 |
| Rotten Tomatoes Score | 23% |
| Metacritic Score | 47/100 |
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What You'll Learn
Will Ferrell's performance in Semi-Pro
In Semi-Pro, Ferrell plays Jackie Moon, a singer who uses the profits from his only hit single to buy a basketball team, the Flint Michigan Tropics. The team is the worst in the league, and the franchise is under threat when the ABA and NBA announce plans to merge. Jackie becomes the owner, coach, and player of the team, and he rallies his teammates to make their NBA dreams come true.
One IMDb reviewer commented that Ferrell was "on top form" in the movie, but that more could have been made of his character. Another reviewer on the same platform stated that while they didn't think the film was Ferrell's fault, they felt that only Ferrell and the two commentators were funny. They also noted that many jokes didn't land for them due to the subject matter of basketball.
Some critics gave positive reviews of Ferrell's performance. Peter Travers, writing for Rolling Stone, said that "when the script [...] shoots air balls, Ferrell is a slam-dunk." Claudia Puig of USA Today wrote that "although not exactly a slam dunk, Semi-Pro is definitely more than semi-funny."
However, other critics disagreed. One Amazon reviewer stated that Semi-Pro was one of Ferrell's worst movies and that his acting ability "leaves a lot to be desired." Similarly, Rotten Tomatoes described the film as "one of Will Ferrell's weaker cinematic efforts."
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Jackie Moon and the Flint Tropics
In the 2008 sports comedy film *Semi-Pro*, Will Ferrell stars as Jackie Moon, the owner, head coach, and player of the fictional American Basketball Association (ABA) team, the Flint Tropics. The film is set in 1976, the height of disco, and follows the story of the struggling Tropics during the final season of the ABA and the league's merger with the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Jackie Moon is a singer who buys the Flint Tropics basketball team with the profits from his one-hit-wonder song, "Love Me Sexy". The song, however, is not his original work; it was written by his mother on a napkin three weeks before she passed away. As the owner and coach of the Tropics, Jackie puts his energy into boosting attendance with various promotions, such as wrestling a bear, jumping over ball girls on roller skates, and offering free corn dogs if the team scores a certain number of points.
The Tropics are the worst team in the ABA league and are in danger of dissolving due to the upcoming merger with the NBA. Only four teams will be selected to move to the more established league. Determined to save his team, Jackie argues for a change in the selection criteria, suggesting that the teams with the four best records should be merged. The ABA Commissioner accepts this proposal, but there's a catch: the Tropics must also have at least 2,000 fans at every remaining home game.
Jackie, along with the team's aging point guard, Ed Monix, and their talented but gossipy player, Clarence Withers, rally their teammates to improve their performance and work towards their NBA dreams. Through Monix's training and Withers' increased intensity, the Tropics go on a winning streak, climbing from last to fifth place. Despite their improved ranking, the NBA believes that Flint lacks a large enough media market and refuses to include the Tropics in the merger. Nonetheless, the Tropics' journey and Jackie's showmanship bring hope and entertainment to the citizens of Flint.
Semi-Pro received generally negative reviews from critics, who criticized the script. However, Ferrell's performance was praised, and the film grossed over $43 million worldwide.
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The film's wrestling scene with a grizzly bear
In the 2008 sports comedy film Semi-Pro, Will Ferrell's character, Jackie Moon, wrestles a grizzly bear in a memorable scene. The film is set during the final season of the American Basketball Association and centres around a fictional ABA team, the Flint Tropics, desperate to survive the league's merger with the NBA.
In the scene in question, Jackie Moon, the owner-coach-player of the Tropics, wrestles a 5-year-old, 7.5-foot-tall, 700-pound male grizzly bear named Rocky to promote his struggling basketball team. This scene was shot with a stuntman and trainer, Randy Miller, doubling for Ferrell's character during the wrestling match.
The inclusion of this scene in the film highlights the comedic tone and over-the-top nature of Semi-Pro. It serves as a promotional stunt within the context of the film, showcasing the lengths to which Jackie Moon is willing to go to bring attention to his team. The wrestling scene with the grizzly bear is an extreme example of the team's efforts to stay afloat and survive the impending league merger.
While the film received generally negative reviews from critics, with particular criticism directed at the script, Ferrell's performance was praised. The scene in question, while undoubtedly entertaining, also contributes to the broader narrative arc of the film, showcasing the desperation and determination of Jackie Moon to keep his team afloat in the face of challenging circumstances.
Tragically, in April 2008, seven weeks after the film's release, Rocky the bear bit and killed Stephan Miller, Randy Miller's cousin and fellow trainer. This incident serves as a somber reminder of the risks involved in working with wild animals in film productions and the importance of ensuring their safe handling and treatment.
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The Semi-Pro soundtrack
The 2008 sports comedy film Semi-Pro, starring Will Ferrell, features a soundtrack filled with classic funk and soul hits from the 1970s. The film is set in 1976 and tells the story of Jackie Moon, a one-hit wonder who buys a basketball team with the profits from his song "Love Me Sexy". The Semi-Pro soundtrack, released on February 26, 2008, reflects the film's 70s setting and includes a range of musical genres.
The soundtrack opens with "Love Me Sexy" by Jackie Moon (Ferrell's character). This is followed by "Get Da Funk out Ma' Face" by The Brothers Johnson, a funky tune to get listeners grooving. The soul classic "Lady Marmalade" by LaBelle, known for its powerful vocals and catchy melody, is the third song on the soundtrack. The next track, "The World Is a Ghetto," is a collaboration between WAR and Dream, blending funk and social commentary. "Tell Me Something Good" by Ronnie Laws adds a smooth and soulful touch to the soundtrack.
Jean Knight's "Mr. Big Stuff," a funk anthem with a groovy bassline, is the sixth song. Chairmen of the Board's "Give Me Just a Little More Time," with its heartfelt vocals and emotional lyrics, slows down the pace. "Why Can't We Be Friends" by WAR and Dream brings a harmonious appeal for unity. The Blackbyrds' "Walking in Rhythm" showcases the band's signature jazz-funk fusion style. "Dance to the Music" by Sly & the Family Stone, encourages listeners to get up and move with its upbeat groove.
"Love Rollercoaster" by The Ohio Players adds a touch of funk and soul to the mix, while "Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)" by Sly & the Family Stone offers a more laid-back, philosophical perspective. Curtis Mayfield's "Move on Up" is an uplifting soul classic with a positive message. The soundtrack also includes "Shining Star" by Elijah Kelley, which features some explicit content.
In addition to these songs, the Semi-Pro soundtrack includes a funny and funky song performed by Will Ferrell himself, showcasing his musical talents. The soundtrack captures the fun and energy of the film, providing a groovy trip back to the 1970s.
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Semi-Pro's critical reception
Will Ferrell's basketball-themed comedy Semi-Pro received generally negative reviews from critics, who described it as an "intermittently funny, half-hearted attempt at sports satire".
The 2008 film, directed by Kent Alterman, stars Ferrell as Jackie Moon, the owner, coach, and player of the fictional American Basketball Association team the Flint Tropics.
Despite the negative reviews, Ferrell's performance was praised by critics. One review said: "Will Ferrell is on top form in this movie but a lot more could have been made of his character."
However, the script was criticised. Alicia Chang of the Associated Press described the opening as "lacklustre" compared to Ferrell's previous sports spoofs Talladega Nights and Blades of Glory.
The film has an approval rating of 23% on Rotten Tomatoes, with an average score of 4.5/10. On Metacritic, it scored 47 out of 100 based on 29 reviews.
One review on Rotten Tomatoes said: "Semi-Pro is an intermittently funny, half-hearted attempt at sports satire, and one of Will Ferrell's weaker cinematic efforts."
Another review said: "I feel I've seen this movie several times already... The only differences are a slight adjustment to the cast of supporting actors and the sport being lampooned."
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Frequently asked questions
The name of the basketball film starring Will Ferrell is 'Semi-Pro'.
'Semi-Pro' is about a one-hit-wonder-turned-basketball-team owner who steps up to play power forward. 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.
Will Ferrell's character's name in 'Semi-Pro' is Jackie Moon.
'Semi-Pro' is rated R.
'Semi-Pro' has a Rotten Tomatoes score of 23% based on 160 reviews.
