Semi-Pro
Directed by Kent AltermanJackie Moon is the owner, promoter, coach, and star player of the Flint Michigan Tropics of the American Basketball Association (ABA), the worst team in the league. In 1976 before the ABA collapses, the NBA plans to merge with the best teams of the ABA at the end of the season. Only the top four teams will make the move and the worst teams will fold. If the Tropics want to make it to the NBA, Jackie Moon must rally his team and start winning.
Where to Watch Semi-Pro
Semi-Pro Ratings & Reviews
- Gene CapmanSeptember 19, 2025EVERYBODY LOVE EVERYBODY! C'MON! 11 more hours to go.
- Manuel FrangisSeptember 15, 2025I just watched Semi-Pro and I give it 4 out of 5 stars. This movie is a wild and ridiculous ride that never pretends to be anything other than what it is. It throws you right into the seventies with its funky vibe, flashy costumes, and outrageous sense of humor. At the center of it all is Will Ferrell as Jackie Moon, a character who feels larger than life in every way. He is loud, clueless, and always scheming, and watching him try to keep his basketball team alive is as hilarious as it is chaotic. The film is pure comedy first, but tucked inside all of that silliness is a small bit of heart that gives it just enough balance to keep you invested. The humor is where this movie shines the most. Ferrell has his usual energy and timing, and his one liners and antics are often so absurd you cannot help but laugh. The movie leans into outrageous gags that push the limit of believability, but because the entire story is set in this heightened, cartoon like version of basketball, it all fits. Some moments feel improvised, and that looseness actually makes them funnier. It is the kind of comedy where you know the punchline is coming but you still laugh when it lands. What surprised me is how much the supporting cast brings to the table. Woody Harrelson’s character adds a grounding presence to the story. He has a quiet seriousness that contrasts perfectly with Ferrell’s chaos, and that makes their dynamic entertaining. André Benjamin brings his own charm and confidence, and he lights up the screen whenever he has the ball in his hands. Together, the cast keeps the movie from being just a long series of comedy skits. They give it a rhythm that makes it feel more like a real story even if the plays on the court are completely ridiculous. The basketball action is not meant to be realistic, and that is part of the fun. Every game feels like a spectacle with stunts and antics that you would never see in an actual game, but somehow that makes it work better. You never get the sense that this movie is trying to be a real sports drama. Instead, it uses basketball as the perfect stage for over the top comedy. Still, in the middle of all the craziness, the underdog story about the team finding its place in the league gives you something to cheer for. The style of the movie deserves credit too. Everything about the seventies aesthetic is exaggerated, from the disco music to the flashy uniforms, but it all feels authentic in its own playful way. The soundtrack keeps the energy high and matches the funky, carefree mood of the story. The whole atmosphere feels like a celebration of that era, even as it pokes fun at it. It is not a flawless movie. Some of the jokes drag on, and not every gag lands the way it should. There are moments where the crudeness of the humor might feel unnecessary. But those weaker moments never take away from the overall enjoyment. The spirit of the movie is so carefree that it is easy to forgive the rough edges. By the time the credits rolled, I felt like I had just watched something that was equal parts hilarious and strangely uplifting. It is not Ferrell’s very best, but it is definitely a fun and memorable entry in his career. Semi-Pro makes you laugh, gives you just enough heart to connect with the characters, and leaves you smiling. For that reason, I am confident in giving it 4 out of 5 stars.
Semi-Pro Trivia
Semi-Pro was released on February 29, 2008.
Semi-Pro was directed by Kent Alterman.
Semi-Pro has a runtime of 1 hr 31 min.
Semi-Pro was produced by Jimmy Miller.
The key characters in Semi-Pro are Jackie Moon (Will Ferrell), Monix (Woody Harrelson), Clarence (André 3000).
Semi-Pro is rated R.
Semi-Pro is a Comedy, Sport film.
Semi-Pro has an audience rating of 3.9 out of 10.