SEMI-PRO is Semi Good

(Editor's note: Yes, I had that title saved in my back pocket desperately hoping I could use it. So don't ask. Heh heh.)

Jackie Moon said it best in this movie: "No refunds! Consider your refund escaping this death trap with your lives!" (Funny line in context)

SEMI-PRO is another one of your usual overacted, slapstick riddled, 70's throwback, star-studded Will Farrell vehicles that is either a hit or miss.

Now, I must preface this review in saying that I've never been a huge fan of Farrell in his days of SNL (even though he was the best part of his era and carried the show much like Joe Piscopo did in the early 80's). I admit I got a huge laugh out of BLADES OF GLORY, TALLEDEGA NIGHTS, and ANCHORMAN even though I wasn't expecting much. And did you ever notice how Farrell plays the same inept, childlike, duck-out-of-water-with- a-misguided-heart character in all his movies? But this isn't a bad thing. He's perfected this role and has spun it into a great movie career (like what Jim Carrey did for butt talking and rubber face mugging). But in watching SEMI-PRO, I can't help but think that this character has reached its shelf life and is nearing expiration. It's a lot of the same old stuff as before but with a basketball.

SEMI-PRO is scattered with long forgotten but talented comic actors such as Will Arnett (ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT), Andy Richter (LATE SHOW WITH CONAN O'BRIAN), and Rob Corrdry (THE DAILY SHOW). And anchoring this movie in reality are gifted performers who you feel are either big Farrell fans or lost a bet to star in this movie (Woody "White Men Can't Jump" Harrelson, Andre "Outkast" Benjamin, and Maura "ER" Tierney).

There are enough moments in SEMI-PRO to make you laugh but not so much to make you feel the movie was worth the price of admission.

Bottom line, if you dig Will Farrell, you'll like this watered down comedy version of him. If you don't get Farrell, go watch ANCHORMAN as an orientation. It's essentially the same movie, a lot funnier, and you get more cheesy mustaches.

6.8 Alley Oops out of 10