Semi-Pro (2008)
Last Watch Date - October 31, 2022
Total Times Watched - Once
Comments
I remember the advertising around this movie, but for whatever reason it never hooked me. This came out around the same time as Superbad, Knocked Up, Step Brothers, The Hangover, Zombieland, Role Models, etc. The 2000s were an excellent decade for comedies.. why did that stop!?
Anywho, I personally like Will Ferrell despite how polarizing I know he is with people. This movie felt far more similar to Step Brothers in terms of language and some raunchier lines than it does to Talladega Nights or Blades of Glory. Looking at his filmography, I'm guessing this one got a bit on people's nerve because it was another in a series of similar types of comedies from him. I am not a big fan of Talladega or Blades either.. maybe that's why I skipped this!
Getting back to this movie itself, it is incredibly stupid. It's basically the plot of Slap Shot but with a fake ABA basketball team. Lots of team antics, lying player-coach (and owner in this one), "we want to play real [sport]!", and raunchy humor. Both are set in the 70s, though Slap Shot was actually made in the 70s as well. I like their uniforms, their home arena was EXCELLENT (the LA city fire department training center), the basketball footage and play was really good, and it was loaded with cameos. Take a lot of Slap Shot, a bit of Dodgeball, some Bad News Bears, and maybe a dash of White Men Can't Jump and you've got yourself Semi-Pro.
Recommended?
Yeah. I laughed quite a few times. It's incredibly silly, but it was good.