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Poor
Will Ferrell. The guy has now been making the
same movie for years and he has yet to notice.
I mean, take a second to remember Anchorman: The
Legend Of Ron Burgundy, Elf, Talladega
Nights and Blades Of Glory, and then ask
yourself what the main story arch for all of those
were. If you noticed, each of them were about
a guy on top of the world who suddenly loses
everything due to the fact that he is a a complete
moron, and then spends the majority of the movie
gaining it all back while undergoing a
self-awakening of sorts. Also, there's
yelling. A lot of it.
So, here we are now with Ferrell's latest foray into
the sports world by way of Semi-Pro.
And what's the plot centered around? A guy on
top of the world who is an ABA team owner that
suddenly loses everything when his team is going to
be left out of the NBA/ABA merger due to the fact
that he is a complete moron who is aloof to the real
world of actual responsibilities involved with being
a player/owner/coach. And guest what? He
then spends the majority of the movie gaining it all
back while undergoing a self-awakening of sorts.
Also, there's yelling. A lot of it.
To the film's credit though, there is a lazy attempt
to avoid a constant stream of jokes by adding some
actual depth with Woody Harrelson's Monix, who is a
washed-up, former NBA player that the Flint Tropics
trade for. He arrives carrying the triumph of
having an actual championship ring, but there is
some baggage stemming from a failed relationship,
anger problems and a severe lack of pride.
It's an interesting, albeit underdeveloped, subplot
that probably would have made a better flick if the
story had been solely based on it. But, it
wasn't and that's why it suffers. There's a
reason that the Apatow group have been so successful
lately, and it's because they're making movies that
are remembered for their heart and not just the
raunchy jokes. Clearly, the people behind this
are unaware of such ideas.
I know I'm making it seem like this is something
that no one should bother watching, but that
actually isn't the case. This movie is funny.
Is it as hilarious as some of his previous efforts?
No, and that's the point I'm trying to make.
He's been playing the same character and doing the
same jokes for years now, and it just isn't that
entertaining anymore. Maybe he'll actually
live out his usual movie plot and go through a self
awakening that causes him to guide his career in a
new direction.
Matinee Semi-Pro if you're bored and/or if
you know someone else that will pay. |
