Andrew Pace
Will Ferrell's 2008 basketball comedy Semi-Pro, also known as the Let's Get Sweaty Edition, received generally negative reviews from critics. The film is set in 1976 against the backdrop of the American Basketball Association (ABA) and tells the story of Jackie Moon, a singer who buys a basketball team. Ferrell's character also wrestles a bear to promote his team. Despite the negative reviews, the film has been praised by some fans as being right up there with Anchorman and Talladega Nights.
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What You'll Learn
Will Ferrell's performance in Semi-Pro
In Semi-Pro, Ferrell sports an afro and portrays Jackie Moon, a one-hit-wonder-turned-basketball-team owner, coach, and player of the American Basketball Association's Flint Michigan Tropics. The film is set in 1976 during the final season of the ABA, a fast-paced, wild basketball league that rivaled the NBA. Jackie Moon rallies his teammates to pursue their NBA dreams. Ferrell's character also wrestles a bear to promote his basketball team. This stunt resulted in a tragic incident where a trainer was killed by the bear.
Semi-Pro has been compared to other Will Ferrell comedies such as Anchorman, Talladega Nights, Old School, and Blades of Glory. Some viewers found the film funny and entertaining, while others criticized it for its excessive profanity and light comedy. The film has been described as predictable and lacking a clear direction, with some viewers suffering from "Will Ferrell fatigue."
Despite the mixed reviews, Semi-Pro has gained a following, with some viewers enjoying its outrageous and quotable moments. The film has a cult following, with fans appreciating its blend of sports and comedy, similar to Ferrell's other sports-themed comedies.
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The film's lacklustre critical reception
Will Ferrell's 2008 basketball-themed film Semi-Pro received a lacklustre critical reception. The film was described as "lacklustre" by Alicia Chang of the Associated Press, who compared it to Ferrell's previous sports spoofs Talladega Nights and Blades of Glory. Chang also noted that the film's opening was relatively weak compared to Ferrell's other films, grossing $33 million domestically and $10 million internationally.
The film was criticised for its script, with one review stating that it was "the same Push Thru Comedy that has been used and reused so much in the past that it is no longer funny unless you [are] under 15 years old". Another review noted that the film lacked direction, stating that it was difficult to discern what the film was trying to achieve.
Despite the negative reviews, some viewers enjoyed the film, with one Amazon.com review stating that it was "right up there with Anchorman and Talladega Nights" and that it was the reviewer's "most rewatched" Will Ferrell film. The film also featured an impressive cast, including Woody Harrelson, André 3000 (credited as André Benjamin), Maura Tierney, and Patti LaBelle, among others.
In addition to the cast, Semi-Pro boasted an extensive list of Saturday Night Live cast members, including Jerry Minor and former American Basketball Association players Artis Gilmore and George Gervin. The film also featured a 7-foot-tall, 700-pound male grizzly bear named Rocky, who appeared in a scene where Ferrell's character wrestles him to promote his basketball team.
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The film's financial performance
Will Ferrell's basketball comedy film, *Semi-Pro*, grossed $33,479,698 domestically and $10,405,206 internationally, totalling $43,884,904 worldwide. The film was released in 2008 and centres around a fictional basketball team called the Flint Tropics, owned by Jackie Moon, played by Ferrell.
Although the film received generally negative reviews, Ferrell's performance was praised. One source commented that the film was "consistently entertaining and enjoyable", but that Ferrell was the "weakest link". Another source stated that the film was memorable, due to Ferrell's "signature comedic timing and over-the-top charm".
The film's opening was described as "lacklustre" in comparison to Ferrell's previous sports films, *Talladega Nights* and *Blades of Glory*, which opened with $47 million and $33 million, respectively.
The film was released on DVD and Blu-ray in June 2008, with a theatrical R-Rated version and a 2-Disc "Let's Get Sweaty" Unrated Edition.
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The film's setting in the 1970s
Will Ferrell's sports comedy film "Semi-Pro" is set in the 1970s during the final season of the American Basketball Association (ABA). The film follows Jackie Moon, a singer who buys a basketball team, the Flint Tropics, with the profits from his one-hit disco song "Love Me Sexy". Moon becomes the owner, head coach, starting power forward, and pre-game announcer of the team. The film also stars Woody Harrelson, André 3000 (credited as André Benjamin), and Maura Tierney.
"Semi-Pro" is filled with sight gags and comedy, with one scene featuring Ferrell's character wrestling a 7-foot-tall, 700-pound male grizzly bear to promote his basketball team. The film's comedic tone is reflected in its marketing, with a teaser trailer featuring Ferrell naked with a goofy wig, and a prescreening requiring all viewers to wear a basketball uniform similar to the one worn by Ferrell in the film.
The film explores themes of body odour and perspiration, with Ferrell's character promoting Old Spice antiperspirant in TV spots and referencing sweat in his song "Love Me Sexy". The film's title itself, "Semi-Pro", is a play on the word "sweaty", with promotional materials including a "Let's Get Sweaty" Unrated Edition DVD and Blu-ray Disc.
The 1970s setting of "Semi-Pro" is significant, as it provides a plausible context for a white man to be playing basketball. The film draws on the fashion and culture of the era, with Ferrell's character sporting an afro and a unique sense of style. "Semi-Pro" pays homage to the era's basketball culture and the merging of the ABA with the NBA.
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The film's notable scenes
Will Ferrell stars in Semi-Pro, a comedy set in 1976 against the backdrop of the maverick American Basketball Association (ABA) – a fast-paced, wild basketball league that rivalled the NBA. The film tells the story of Jackie Moon, a singer who uses the profits from his one-hit-wonder, "Love Me Sexy", to buy a basketball team in the ABA, the Flint Tropics, becoming the owner, head coach, starting power forward, and pre-game announcer.
The film features several notable scenes. In one scene, Ferrell's character wrestles a 7-foot-tall, 700-pound grizzly bear named Rocky to promote his basketball team. In another scene, Ferrell is shown wearing an afro and playing basketball. This scene has become one of the most memorable moments from the film. The film also includes a stunt double being mauled by a bear, which is mentioned in several reviews.
Semi-Pro also features an extensive list of Saturday Night Live cast members, including Jerry Minor in an uncredited role as a DJ at a nightclub. Former American Basketball Association players, Artis Gilmore and George Gervin, also appear in uncredited roles as customers in a restaurant.
The film received generally negative reviews, with critics panning the script, although Ferrell's performance was praised.
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Frequently asked questions
The movie is called Semi-Pro and was released in 2008.
Semi-Pro is set in 1976 and follows Jackie Moon, a singer who buys a basketball team in the American Basketball Association (ABA) with the profits from his one-hit-wonder song "Love Me Sexy". Moon becomes the owner, head coach, starting power forward, and pre-game announcer of the Flint Tropics.
Semi-Pro stars Will Ferrell, Woody Harrelson, Maura Tierney, and Andre Benjamin.
The movie received generally negative reviews, with critics panning the script. However, Ferrell's performance was praised.
