Semi-Pro [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC] Reviews

I can't say I've ever seen a Will Ferrell film that has left me feeling disappointed. Although the understated "Stranger than Fiction" is certainly his most awkward, the man has a solid track record and definitely knows how to find work that plays to his strengths as a comedic actor.

"Semi-Pro" is no different. One big difference, though, is that it was and is still fairly criticized for being "not funny." Truth be told, Ferrell relies less on his patented man-child shtick throughout "Semi-Pro" and gives a performance that is much more grounded making the flick, in this man's opinion, generally more enjoyable and less audience-specific than films like "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy" and "Step Brothers" clearly are. But as a result of Ferrell's rather grounded performance, he's also less funny when solo.

His supporting cast is "Semi-Pro's" saving grace. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. Ferrell gives everyone ample screen time. In many of the movie's best comedic scenes, Mr. Ferrell starts the gags and his co-stars end them with a winning punch line. I appreciate the approach this film took; as if Ferrell said "I may be the star of the show, but I don't necessarily need to hog the screen AND the jokes." There are a number of comedians and comedic performers in the cast (stand-up comic DeRay Davis, funnyman Jay Phillips, Andy Richter, ex "Arrested Development" cast member Will Arnett, Andrew Daly and one of Ferrell's regular collaborators, David Koechner, just to name a few) and many - if not all of them - are funnier than Ferrell himself.

The cast is more than solid and, if anything, it is the banter between co-stars (Will Arnett and Andrew Daly as courtside announcers Lou Redwood and Dick Pepperfield, respectively, had me howling) and the interaction that many of them have with Ferrell that makes the film so funny. The loose ABA/NBA satire “Semi-Pro” attempts to be doesn't hold weight, but if the picture would have forgone the unremarkable satire and had just been a more basic sports comedy - set in the '70s just the same - and still starred Farrell and cast it would have done just fine.

As a '70s era sports-comedy this works just fine also. The various era-specific references - like a cameo by a specific songstress that shall go unmentioned and a Michael Jackson reference that should be whole-heartedly applauded for its tenacity and pseudo-foresight ("Mark my words, Lou, there is something seriously wrong with that little boy") - are fun and noteworthy, while movie-long jokes like the Jackie Moon character's only hit single, "Love Me Sexy," is an overtly explicit yet hilarious slice of the '70s music scene. The era is, however, handled with the utmost respect and, more importantly, flair that never wears thin. It's amazing that a Will Ferrell film seems to hold more historical weight than many contemporary dramas in conveying the attitude and atmosphere of its respective time period.

The 2-disc release of this film features both the theatrical cut and the unrated cut on one disc, as well as a healthy selection of special features on the second. The difference between the two versions is nothing major; about seven minutes worth. The unrated print features more jokes, different camera angles, more dialogue, a new subplot involving Ferrell's character, Jackie Moon's, previously unmentioned wife, and a couple of raunchier jokes. Many of the changes are nearly unnoticeable and the additional material would still earn the film an R rating.

The special features, which consist mostly of behind-the-scenes documentaries, interviews, deleted/alternate scenes, and some promotional material, are fairly interesting. Some are rather informative and others not meant to be taken the least bit literal. The deleted scenes section is worth a look as it features a fantastic "Improv" section and a hilarious alternate opening and ending, though the opening and closing segments used in the theatrical and unrated cuts are much, much better.

"Semi-Pro" isn't the stinker critics have made it out to be. Although Ferrell is much more understated this time around and seems to be playing the background even though he's really the star of the show, putting the ball in the supporting players’ court (no pun intended) was a refreshing movie; they get the quotables and they get to deliver the memorable punch lines. Those looking for an altogether better movie with the unrated cut, however, won't find it. The 2-disc set is a great package overall and, for the more initiative-driven, having both versions of the movie on one disc is certainly worth the $25 price tag alone.