Monday, June 30, 2008

Point by Point: Semi-Pro 4/10

Will Ferrell plays Jackie Moon, player/coach/owner of a bad pro basketball team. In order to get into the NBA, they must finish in the top 4, as well as bring average attendence up. Basically, it's Slap Shot for basketball.

The Good: It's watchable. There's the occasional funny bit. Woody Harrellson, basically playing a dramatic role in the middle of a Will Ferrell farce, does reasonably well given the circumstances.

The Bad: Two movies got smashed into one at the expense of both. It's a tame comedy that doesn't reach the over-the-top stupid-funny of Talledega Nights or Blades of Glory and a played-out sports drama with misfits being brought together by a veteran player to Overcome All Odds. Really, if it had just picked one and went for it, things would have been better.

The Ugly: How many times are we going to have to watch Will Ferrell play an out of shape athelete that occasionally strips? The joke is getting very, very stale.

Points Pondered

  • The one standout in the film is the announcer that's not Will Arnett - the straight delivery is constantly hiliarous.

  • There's was really no need for this movie to be rated R. Cut out some of the swearing and you'd have a just as funny PG-13. Or just throw in some naked people to make it worth it. NOT Will Ferrell.

  • There are at least 5 scenes completely stealing from Slap Shot. It's basically shameless.

  • Random funny people cameo and then proceed to not be funny. It's very strange.

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