Spring Break
'Semi-pro' semi-good
Stephanie Martinez
Issue date: 2/29/08 Section: ARTS & LIFE
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There wasn't much to the movie and the plot was easily predictable but worth watching for the "kickers" embedded in the script.
Screenplay writer Scot Armstrong added a few gems among the dirt just as in his pervious movie, "Old School."
"Semi-Pro" is another comedy that is wonderful to quote with familiar characters such as David Koechner as the commissioner and Rob Corddry as Kyle.
As potentially next up in a list of comedy classics, I was worried the movie would be a let down and contain all too familiar jaunts. I can't say I commend it above "Anchorman," but I enjoyed the 1970s setting with a sports angle and a slightly different take on the average plot.
Of course, you have to be a fan of the stupid comedy to be able to sit through a film like this. I mean, it's not like you don't know what you're walking into when a naked Will Ferrell promotes "Semi-Pro" with Old Spice and Bud Light commercials.
The commercials accurately portray the lengths that Ferrell's character, Jackie Moon, will go to get fans for his dying team, the Michigan Flint Tropics.
As a fun-loving owner and head coach of the rock-bottom team, he has to make a move when the NBA will only accept the top four teams from the ABA.
Woody Harrelson's character, Monix, proves to be a valuable asset as he teaches the team the real game of basketball.
With low spirits and Monix's bad attitude, Moon has a hard time keeping his team's motto of E.L.E., or "everybody love everybody," in play.
The sub-story involving Andre Benjamin from Outkast provided a nice feel-good addition. His acting was very natural and his mannerisms were easy to watch and enjoy.
The comedy-loving character, Clarence Coffee Black, does a nice job of keeping it real. It was nice to see him in a major role
The side love story with Harrelson and Maura Tierney was haphazardly thrown into the plot and not all that interesting but was worth the addition for one major laugh-out-loud moment that was also one of the most sexually graphic scenes in the film.
With an R rating, the cast was able to get away with a lot, which made the movie that much more enjoyable. Normally stupid-funny movies tone down their inappropriate frivolous behavior for the younger crowd that seems to be such a big fan of the genre, and then we have to wait for DVD bloopers to show us the good stuff.
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