Helena Frye
Will Ferrell is a comedy actor known for his roles in sports-related films. In 2008, Ferrell starred in the basketball film 'Semi-Pro', which follows the story of a fictional basketball team, the Flint Michigan Tropics, and their journey to the NBA. Ferrell plays Jackie Moon, a singer who uses the profits from his one-hit-wonder to buy a basketball team. The film received mixed reviews, with some praising Ferrell's performance and others criticising the script and comedy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Film | Semi-Pro |
| Genre | Comedy, Sport |
| Year | 2008 |
| Will Ferrell's character | Jackie Moon |
| Plot | A one-hit-wonder singer buys a basketball team |
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What You'll Learn
Will Ferrell's performance in *Semi-Pro* received praise
Ferrell's performance as Jackie Moon, the owner-coach-player of the Flint Tropics, was a highlight for critics, despite the film's script being criticised. In the film, Jackie Moon is a singer who uses the profits from his one-hit wonder, "Love Me Sexy", to buy a basketball team and fulfil his dream of becoming a coach and player.
One viewer commented that the film had "a few laugh-out-loud moments and a few mildly amusing stretches", and that the "overall experience wasn't that bad". Another viewer, who considered the film to be one of Ferrell's weaker cinematic efforts, still found it "semi-good" and "amiable enough".
The film also performed well at the box office, grossing $15 million in its opening weekend in the United States and Canada and holding the number one position. This further highlights that Ferrell's performance, along with the rest of the cast, had a positive reception from audiences.
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*Semi-Pro* is set during the final season of the American Basketball Association
Semi-Pro is an American sports comedy film starring Will Ferrell, set during the final season of the American Basketball Association (ABA). The film, directed by Kent Alterman, is based on a true story and follows the fictional ABA team, the Flint Tropics, owned by Jackie Moon, a singer and entertainer played by Ferrell.
In the film, the ABA Commissioner announces a plan to merge the league with the National Basketball Association (NBA), but only four teams will move to the more established league. The Tropics, the worst team in the league, face dissolution. To save the team, Jackie Moon argues for a merger of the top four teams, and the commissioner accepts. The film centres around the team's efforts to secure a place in the NBA, leading to a series of hilarious and outlandish antics.
Semi-Pro was released in 2008 and shot in Los Angeles, Detroit, and Flint, Michigan. Despite receiving generally negative reviews from critics, who described the film as a "half-hearted attempt at sports satire", Ferrell's performance was praised for blending sports excitement with comedic genius. The film grossed $15 million in its opening weekend in the United States and Canada, holding the number-one position at the box office.
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The film's prescreening required viewers to wear a basketball uniform
Will Ferrell, the renowned comedian and actor, has delighted audiences with his performances in a variety of films, including sports-themed comedies such as "Talladega Nights", "Blades of Glory", and "Kicking & Screaming". In 2008, Ferrell took on the world of professional basketball in the sports comedy film "Semi-Pro", directed by Kent Alterman. The film is set during the final season of the American Basketball Association and tells the story of a fictional ABA team, the Flint Tropics, desperate to survive the league's merger with the NBA.
To promote the film and engage fans, a unique pre-screening event was held two weeks before the box office debut. The event, hosted at the Alamo Drafthouse in Austin, Texas, had an exciting twist: all viewers were required to wear a basketball uniform to gain entrance to the theater. This creative idea added a layer of interactivity and immersion to the film-viewing experience, inviting attendees to step into the world of "Semi-Pro" and channel their inner basketball players.
The pre-screening event was not just about the uniforms, though. It also featured an appearance by Will Ferrell himself, along with director Kent Alterman. This special guest presence added to the excitement and provided a unique opportunity for fans to connect with the talent behind the film.
The film "Semi-Pro" received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising Ferrell's performance while others found the script lacking. Despite the reviews, the film grossed $15 million in its opening weekend in the United States and Canada, showcasing the drawing power of Ferrell's comedic talents and the appeal of the basketball-themed story.
Overall, the pre-screening event with its basketball uniform requirement created a memorable experience for fans, blending the worlds of cinema and sports in a fun and interactive way. It showcased the power of creative marketing and the dedication of Will Ferrell fans, who embraced the theme and helped generate buzz for the film's official release.
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*Semi-Pro* is a sports satire
Semi-Pro is a 2008 American sports comedy film starring Will Ferrell, Woody Harrelson, André 3000, and Maura Tierney. Set in the final season of the American Basketball Association, the film tells the story of a fictional ABA team, the Flint Tropics, desperate to survive the league's merger with the NBA.
In the film, Will Ferrell plays Jackie Moon, a singer who uses the profits from his one-hit wonder, "Love Me Sexy", to buy a basketball team. The Flint Tropics are the worst team in the league and are in danger of dissolving when the ABA and NBA announce their merger plans. Jackie Moon, the team's owner, head coach, and starting power forward, rallies his teammates to make their NBA dreams come true. He trades the team's washing machine to the Kentucky Colonels for Ed Monix, a championship-winning backup point guard. However, the team also needs to have at least 2,000 fans at every remaining home game to stay in the running for the merger.
Semi-Pro received generally negative reviews from critics, with a 23% approval score on Rotten Tomatoes and an average score of 47 out of 100 on Metacritic. Many critics considered it a weak attempt at sports satire, with an underdeveloped plot and inconsistent humour. However, some reviewers praised Ferrell's performance and the film's portrayal of the 1970s.
In its opening weekend, the film grossed $15 million in the United States and Canada, reaching the number one position at the box office. Despite the mixed reviews, *Semi-Pro* has become a cult classic among sports fans and comedy enthusiasts, with many appreciating its light-hearted take on the world of professional basketball.
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*Semi-Pro* grossed $43 million worldwide
Semi-Pro, starring Will Ferrell, is a 2008 American sports comedy film. The film is set during the final season of the American Basketball Association and revolves around a fictional ABA team, the Flint Tropics, fighting to survive the league's merger with the NBA. Ferrell plays Jackie Moon, the owner, promoter, and player for the Flint Tropics.
Despite generally negative reviews from critics, *Semi-Pro* grossed $43 million worldwide. In its opening weekend, the film grossed $15 million in 3,121 theatres in the United States and Canada, ranking first at the box office. However, critics like Alicia Chang of the Associated Press described the opening as "lackluster" compared to Ferrell's previous sports films.
The film's worldwide gross included $33,479,698 from domestic markets and $10,405,206 from international markets. *Semi-Pro* also earned $8.1 million in DVD and Blu-ray sales during its first week of release.
While the film received praise for its comedic performances and Ferrell's portrayal of the eccentric Jackie Moon, critics generally disapproved of the script and the excessive language. Despite the mixed reviews, *Semi-Pro* managed to attract a worldwide audience and generate substantial revenue during its theatrical and home video releases.
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Frequently asked questions
Semi-Pro.
In the 1970s, singer Jackie Moon (Will Ferrell) buys a basketball team, the Flint Michigan Tropics, and becomes the owner, coach, and player. The team is the worst in the league, and Moon must rally his teammates to make their NBA dreams come true.
Semi-Pro was released in theatres on February 19, 2008, and on DVD and Blu-ray on June 3, 2008.
Will Ferrell plays Jackie Moon, a singer who uses the profits from his one-hit wonder, "Love Me Sexy", to buy a basketball team.
Semi-Pro received generally negative reviews from critics, with an average score of 47 out of 100 on Metacritic and an approval score of 23% on Rotten Tomatoes. However, some viewers found it funny and enjoyable.
