Semi-Funny

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.”

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 but feel we’ve seen this character before.

Semi-Pro opened in the USA with figures of $15million sales, other films would kill for opening figures like that but his 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 it’s not 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 4 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 its 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 between each other.