Semi-Pro Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A one-hit wonder buys a basketball team, and then things get progressively weirder, involving a bear, questionable coaching decisions, and the invention of the alley-oop.

🍿 Semi-Pro: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to Jackie Moon and the Flint Tropics

In 1976 Flint, Michigan, Jackie Moon, a one-hit wonder singer, owns, coaches, and plays for the struggling Flint Tropics of the American Basketball Association (ABA). The Tropics are at the bottom of the league, and Jackie is trying to keep the team afloat through various outlandish promotions. His signature song, ‘Love Me Sexy,’ is his claim to fame and funds the team’s operations.

The ABA-NBA Merger

The ABA Commissioner announces that the league will merge with the NBA, but only four teams will be selected to join the more established league, leaving the rest to dissolve. Jackie is desperate to save his team and convinces the Commissioner that the four teams with the best records should be absorbed into the NBA. This gives the Tropics a slim chance to compete.

Recruiting Monix and Gimmicks

To improve the Tropics’ chances, Jackie trades the team’s washing machine for Ed Monix, a former NBA player. Monix’s experience is meant to bring some much-needed skill and discipline to the team. Alongside Monix’s coaching, Jackie continues to implement bizarre promotional stunts to boost attendance, including wrestling a bear.

The Final Game

Despite the team’s improvements and gimmicks, the Tropics’ future remains uncertain. They must win their final game against the San Antonio Spurs to secure a spot in the top four. Jackie learns devastating news that, regardless of their record, the NBA will not allow the Tropics into the league because of Flint’s market size. In the face of adversity, Jackie and the team decide to give it their all, leading to an improbable and exciting conclusion.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Jackie Moon (Will Ferrell): The enthusiastic but inept owner, coach, and player of the Flint Tropics, who tries outlandish schemes to save his team.
• Monix (Woody Harrelson): A former NBA player traded to the Tropics, hoping to rekindle a lost romance and find purpose at the end of his career.
• Clarence ‘Coffee’ Brown (André 3000): The talented but individualistic star player of the Tropics, who dreams of NBA stardom.
• Lynn (Maura Tierney): Monix’s former love interest, who works at the local newspaper and is cautiously open to rekindling their relationship.
• Dick Pepperfield (Andy Daly): One of the commentators for the Flint Tropics.
• Lou Redwood (Will Arnett): One of the commentators for the Flint Tropics.
• Commissioner (David Koechner): The ABA commissioner who announces the league’s merger with the NBA.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Jackie Moon: “Everybody panic!” – Jackie yells this while on the basketball court to try to get the fans excited.
• Jackie Moon: “In the anals of history, people are going to be talking about three things: the discovery of fire, the invention of the submarine, and the Flint, Michigan Mega Bowl.” – Jackie says this to hype up the final game, exaggerating its importance.
• Jackie Moon: “If you have a small child, use it as a shield!” – Said during a game to encourage fans to protect themselves from a wild brawl.
• Jackie Moon: “Jive Turkey!” – Jackie yells this as an insult during a poker game.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $55,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $33,479,698
• Worldwide Gross: $44,004,502

💥 Semi-Pro Reviews

Personal Review

I remember seeing Semi-Pro in theaters, and while it’s not Ferrell’s best, it still had some laugh-out-loud moments. The 70s aesthetic was spot on, and the “Love Me Sexy” song is an earworm I still catch myself humming. The scene where Jackie Moon wrestles the bear is pure comedic gold, even if the story is a bit predictable. It’s a fun, silly movie that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and sometimes that’s exactly what you need.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Will Ferrell’s comedy”
  • “People interested in sports comedies”
  • “Viewers who enjoy movies set in the 1970s”
  • “Fans of basketball looking for a light-hearted take on the sport”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Crude humor”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Suggestive content”
  • “Brief nudity”
  • “Mild violence”

Professional Reviews

• FandomWire: “The Gutter Review mentions that Semi-Pro is an uneven but funny old school character comedy. The movie features a lot of basketball craziness and a hella dope soundtrack.
• IMDB User: “Semi-Pro will not go down in the anals of great comedies. If you are looking for a plot synopsis, well this movie is not for you. It’s pretty short on story and pretty high on funny bits. The film is not overpowered by Will Ferrell silliness. It has 4-5 hilarious scenes and many lines that will be quotable for a long time.
• IMDB User: “I went to this movie with low expectations – I think that helped. Unlike Anchorman, this movie suffers from lack of inspiration. The film itself is pretty much several short films / skits held together by the premise of an ABA (semi-pro) team’s hope to join the NBA. The best part of this movie? Andre Benjamin.

Audience Reactions

Viewers found Andre Benjamin to be the most convincing and likable character in the movie.: While some find the movie semi-funny, they do like Will Ferrell’s comedic antics.

Audiences found that Will Ferrell was on top form and the first 30 mins of the movie was as good as anchorman.: The beginning starts out very strong and keeps you laughing.

Overall Consensus: Semi-Pro is a decent sports comedy with some memorable moments, but it doesn’t quite reach the comedic heights of Will Ferrell’s other films.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The movie is loosely based on the real merger between the ABA and the NBA in 1976.”
• “To prepare for his role, Will Ferrell spent time with former ABA players, learning about the league’s unique atmosphere and style of play.”
• “The song “Love Me Sexy,” performed by Will Ferrell as Jackie Moon, was co-written by Ferrell himself.”
• “Rocky the Grizzly Bear, who wrestles Jackie Moon, killed Stephan Miller, one of his trainers and a cousin of Will Ferrell’s stunt double, by biting him on the neck after the movie release.”

🖥️ How to Watch Semi-Pro?

Currently, ‘Semi-Pro’ is available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options as well. Physical copies (Blu-ray/DVD) can be purchased from major retailers and online marketplaces, providing flexibility in how you choose to enjoy the movie.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Semi-Pro, you might like these similar films:

• Slap Shot (1977): Both are raunchy sports comedies about struggling teams with unconventional antics.
• Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006): Shares Will Ferrell’s over-the-top comedic style and sports-themed setting.
• White Men Can’t Jump (1992): Features basketball as a central theme with comedic elements and strong characters.
• Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004): An absurd sports comedy with a focus on a ragtag team and their outlandish antics.

🛒 Semi-Pro Related Products

• Semi-Pro [Blu-ray]: Own Semi-Pro on Blu-ray and enjoy hours of laughs with Will Ferrell, Woody Harrelson, and André 3000. A fun addition to any comedy movie collection.
• Funky 70s Costume: Dress like Jackie Moon with a funky 70s costume to go back in time and relive the funkadelic moment.
• Basketball Hoop Arcade Game: Bring the fun of the Flint Tropics to your home with a mini basketball hoop arcade game. Perfect for kids and adults who love basketball and competition.
• Funko Pop! Will Ferrell (Jackie Moon) (Exclusive): A perfect desk or home collectible for people that love will ferrell and basketball.

🎧 Soundtrack

Semi-Pro features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Love Me Sexy” – performed by Will Ferrell (as Jackie Moon)

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Funny scene from Semi-Pro (first time alley-oop)

Get ready for a hilarious moment from Semi-Pro! Watch Will Ferrell’s character experience the joy of an alley-oop for the first time, and prepare to laugh out loud at his priceless reaction.

Jive Turkey – Semi Pro | Classic Poker Scene

Join Will Ferrell, Andrew Daly, and Will Arnett for a side-splitting poker game in Semi-Pro. As they engage in a friendly game of 5-card draw, things get heated when someone calls Will a ‘jive turkey.’ Get ready for a laugh-out-loud moment!

history of the alley-oop

Dive into the origins of the alley-oop in this extended movie clip from Semi-Pro. Watch as Will Ferrell’s character, Jackie Moon, explains the history of this iconic basketball move, complete with hilarious commentary.

Semi Pro Funny Clips

Get ready for a non-stop laughter fest! This compilation of funny clips from Semi-Pro will have you in stitches. From Will Ferrell’s over-the-top antics to hilarious supporting characters, this video captures all the comedic gold from the movie.

✨ Rate