Pace Paw Print

Media Credit: entertainmentwallpaper.com Will Ferrell isn't keeping up with his game?

Last week Will Ferrell's new movie opened in theaters, grossing $15 million. That number is weak when compared to his bigger openings with Talladega Nights at $47 mil, Blades of Glory at $33 mil, and the popular Anchorman opening at 28M.

After watching the first quarter of the movie, it is apparent why it didn't do so well. It may be that Ferrell is running out of these simple yet genius characters. Maybe this will provide the turn around that Jim Carey and Adam Sandler are on, both taking on more serious roles after becoming almost typecast as the ignorant yet funny man.

When asked what his favorite scene was, Ben Ogden, a sophomore at Pace University said, "I would have to say it was Will Ferrell's fictional hit single 'Love Me Sexy', and second was the scene at the game with the invention of the alley oop, it really made me wonder what it was like to be there during the first time that play was run."

The movie centers on Jackie Moon (Ferrell), and the failing basketball team he created after the success of his hit song, "Love Me Sexy." As owner, player, and coach of the Tropics, his basketball team in the American Basketball Association (ABA), Moon is told his team will be dissolved at the end of the regular season.

In an attempt for fairness, Jackie suggests that the top four teams be absorbed into the NBA and the remaining teams disbanded. He and his Tropics have to get fourth place, so they trade their washing machine for former NBA player Ed Monix, played by Woody Harrleson. Andre Benjamin, better known as Andre 3000 of Outkast also plays a role in the film as a star basketball player who teaches his teammates how to appreciate the game.

As for the movie itself, it has to be admitted Ferrell has set some high expectations for audiences with his previous films. But this one was just missing something. Whether it was the comedic quartet that Anchorman provided or the duo of Talladega Nights and Blades of Glory, it just didn't have that something special.

I guess Ferrell needs someone to be funny when he can't be. Another measure of success for this movie or lack thereof was the audience around me. There was silence instead of laughter, which doesn't often happen at Will Ferrell movie. This was due in part to the awkward love story just jammed into the middle of the plot. There was actually a couple who got up and left the theater, but who can tell if it was because of the movie or if they were going to make a love story of their own.

A positive side to the film, according to critics, is that the movie opened up people's eyes to the ABA and the history it had with the NBA. It was said that the movie didn't portray the actual characters of the ABA, even if it only inspired people to research it more than it was a win for the older generations who still reminisce the ABA.

If you are a fan of Ferrell don't go with too many expectations. But if you want to see a man fight a formidable baby bear, then by all means, please go.

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