Semi-Pro (Kent Alterman, 2008)

Semi-Pro (Kent Alterman, 2008)
Rating: 5.3

Semi-Pro is an unstoppable box office formula combining Will Ferrell and the elements of the underdog sports team we've seen over and over again in films like Slap Shot, Major League, Unnecessary Roughness, The Replacements, and more recently in Dodge Ball. I was surprised at how well the art department handled the 70s look of the film and I felt the overall production seemed a lot more carefully executed compared to more recent sloppily thrown together comedies like Talladega Nights and Anchorman whether it be lighting, editing, and even the script. The characters are impressively multi-dimensional, but although the film has it's entertaining moments of hilarity, it's just not funny enough to be a memorable comedy. If it isn't the formula and Will Ferrell's act itself that has grown tiresome and ran it's course then perhaps first time director Kent Alterman adheres to the script too strictly, as Will Ferrell's comedic improv moments from the recent television commercials for Old Spice and Bud Light, which I found to be much more funny than anything in the film itself, seem to be missing.