Helena Frye
Will Ferrell stars in the 2008 sports comedy film *Semi-Pro*, which is set during the final season of the American Basketball Association. Ferrell plays Jackie Moon, the owner-coach-player of the fictional Flint Tropics team, who tries to make his teammates' NBA dreams come true. The film also stars Woody Harrelson, André Benjamin, and Maura Tierney.
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What You'll Learn
Will Ferrell's performance in Semi-Pro
Ferrell plays Jackie Moon, the owner, coach, and player of the Tropics. In the film, Moon uses the profits from his only hit single to purchase a basketball team. However, the team he buys is the worst in the league, and the franchise faces folding when the ABA and NBA announce their merger plans. It is up to Moon and his teammates to turn their game around and save the team.
While the film received generally negative reviews, with criticism aimed at the script, Ferrell's performance was praised by some critics and viewers. Peter Travers of Rolling Stone commented that "when the script, by Scott Armstrong, shoots air balls, Ferrell is a slam dunk." Similarly, Robert Wilonsky of The Village Voice noted that the film was "comedy comfort food," suggesting that Ferrell's performance added a "dash more sincerity and humanity to the froth."
However, other reviews were less favourable, with some viewers finding the film unfunny and underutilising Ferrell. One IMDb review noted that while Ferrell was "on top form," more could have been made of his character. Another review on Rotten Tomatoes described the film as "one of Will Ferrell's weaker cinematic efforts," suggesting that the premise of a washed-up singer was good but stuck in a predictable sports movie plot.
Despite the mixed reviews, some viewers considered Semi-Pro to be a great comedy, with one Reddit user describing it as "hilarious" and another stating that it was their favourite Will Ferrell movie. The film also featured a memorable scene with Ferrell's character wrestling a grizzly bear, which unfortunately resulted in the death of one of the bear's trainers after production.
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Jackie Moon's character
Jackie Moon is a fictional character played by Will Ferrell in the 2008 sports comedy film Semi-Pro. Moon is the owner, coach, and player of the Flint Tropics, a fictional American Basketball Association (ABA) team. The film is set during the final season of the ABA and tells the story of the team's struggle to survive the league's merger with the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Moon is a singer who used the profits from his one-hit-wonder, "Love Me Sexy", to buy the Flint Tropics. He is also married to Stacey, a very attractive Flint Tropics ball girl, and they have an open relationship. In the film, Moon is famous for the song "Love Me Sexy", although it is revealed that he stole the song from his mother.
As the owner, coach, and player of the Tropics, Moon is faced with the challenge of saving his team from dissolution. The Flint Tropics is the worst team in the league, and with the ABA's impending merger with the NBA, only the top four teams will make the move to the new league. Moon must rally his teammates and start winning if they are to make it to the NBA. Despite his efforts, Moon is not a very good coach or player, and the team is in danger of folding.
Moon is a showman and a promoter who provides the citizens of Flint with hope. He is also known for his wacky promotions, such as wrestling a bear, jumping over ball girls on roller skates, and providing free corn dogs if the Tropics score 125 points. He encourages camaraderie with the motto, "Everybody love everybody."
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Semi-Pro's critical reception
The 2008 sports comedy film Semi-Pro received mixed to negative reviews from critics. The film has a rating of 5.8/10 on IMDb and an approval score of 23% on Rotten Tomatoes, with an average rating of 4.5/10. Metacritic reported an average score of 47 out of 100 based on 29 reviews.
Many critics considered the film to be a weak entry in the sports comedy genre, with some describing it as "typical" and "unfunny". The script was criticised, and some viewers found the film's attempts at humour to be embarrassing. The sex scene, in particular, was described as "falling flat". One reviewer noted that the film's parody elements were undercut by its more serious moments, which made it feel like "a half-baked comedy".
However, Will Ferrell's performance received praise, with some considering it to be the film's saving grace. One reviewer noted that Ferrell was ""on top form", and another commented that he "cracks me up". The film's portrayal of the 1970s and the ABA basketball league was also well-received, with one reviewer noting that the basketball scenes "seemed so real".
Despite the mixed critical reception, Semi-Pro still managed to find an audience, grossing over $43 million worldwide.
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The film's financial performance
The 2008 sports comedy film Semi-Pro starring Will Ferrell was not a financial success. The film, which was directed by Kent Alterman, is set during the final season of the American Basketball Association and follows the story of a fictional ABA team desperate to survive the league's merger with the NBA.
In its opening weekend, the film grossed $15 million in 3,121 theatres in the United States and Canada, ranking number one at the box office. However, this was considered a "lacklustre" opening compared to Ferrell's previous sports films Talladega Nights, which opened with $47 million, and Blades of Glory, which opened with $33 million.
Semi-Pro went on to gross $33,479,698 domestically and $10,405,206 internationally, for a total of $43,884,904 worldwide. The film received generally negative reviews from critics, with an approval score of 23% on Rotten Tomatoes and an average score of 47 out of 100 on Metacritic. Despite the negative reviews, Ferrell's performance received praise, and the film had a dedicated fan base, with some viewers citing it as their favourite Will Ferrell movie.
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The film's soundtrack
The 2008 sports comedy film Semi-Pro, starring Will Ferrell, features a soundtrack that adds to the fun and entertainment of the movie. The film is set during the final season of the American Basketball Association and follows the story of a fictional ABA team's struggle to survive the league's merger with the NBA.
The Semi-Pro soundtrack was released on February 26, 2008, and it featured a mix of artists and songs that complemented the film's theme and setting. One of the notable inclusions was the song "Love Me Sexy," written and performed by Will Ferrell himself, in character as Jackie Moon. This disco hit, famous in the movie, was also written by Nile Rodgers and Scot Armstrong, and produced by Nile Rodgers.
The soundtrack also included songs by artists such as LaBelle, WAR, and Curtis Mayfield. These artists, popular during the time period in which the film is set, added an authentic and nostalgic feel to the soundtrack. The inclusion of their songs transported listeners back to the era of the American Basketball Association, creating a fun and groovy atmosphere.
In addition to the musical selections, the Semi-Pro soundtrack may have also included instrumental scores composed specifically for the film. These scores would have enhanced the emotional impact of certain scenes, providing a complementary backdrop to the on-screen action and helping to build tension, excitement, or humor.
Overall, the Semi-Pro soundtrack contributed to the enjoyment of the film, with some viewers considering it one of Will Ferrell's more memorable cinematic experiences. The combination of original songs, popular hits from the time, and possibly even instrumental scores, created a holistic audio experience that enhanced the lighthearted and humorous tone of the movie.
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Frequently asked questions
Will Ferrell's character in Semi-Pro is named Jackie Moon.
Semi-Pro is about Jackie Moon, a one-hit-wonder-turned-basketball-team-owner who steps up to play power forward for his failing team, the Flint Tropics, and rallies his teammates to make their NBA dreams come true.
Semi-Pro is a comedy sports film.
The film is 1 hour and 31 minutes long.
