You take the Will Ferrell formula and you plug it in, but somehow it just feels kind of uninspired and flat.
Screen International
October 18, 2008
No amount or combination of shame, absurdity and unflattering outfits seem to dint Ferrell's fierce commitment to character.
TheShiznit.co.uk
October 14, 2012
Semi-Pro will likely leave its star with a sore throat and bruised pride but a bulging wallet nonetheless: it's possibly the first movie ever to be less funny than the products it advertises.
Judging from this low-scoring sports comedy about the mystique of men with balls, Will Ferrell needs to call a time-out from belly baring to refocus his fan-favorite game of playing clueless male doofuses.
There are some ludicrous sight gags and uniquely silly, if foul-mouthed, laughs. The movie falters when it tries to be serious. Fortunately, those moments are few.
Toronto Star
February 29, 2008
You can't help but marvel, and laugh at, Ferrell's indefatigable enthusiasm and willingness to make a complete ass of himself.
Semi-Pro isn't the most well-designed of comedies, it's far too disjointed without enough thought given to making it work as a whole, but there are enough genuinely funny moments, especially from upstart Daly, to make it worth a look.
