Semi-Pro: Semi-Poignant

I caught a sneak preview of the new ABA satire, Semi-Pro, at Pacific Place last night. This predictably funny, outrageous film, which really should garner an Oscar nom for period costume design (that period being the mid-70's), might well be the final installment in Will Ferrell's sports trilogy (the predecessors being Talladega Nights and Blades of Glory), unless a racquetball spoof's in the offing. Ferrell's Ferrell, Will Arnett has a great moustache and drinks lots of Scotch, Andre Benjamin is surprisingly charming, and Dave Corddry, playing a sexualized version of the modern jock hero-worshipper, steals every scene he's in.

But if you're a Sonic fan, the film takes on an air of unintended poignancy. Ferrell's Flint Tropics are on the chopping block as the flagging ABA preps to merge with the mighty NBA, and they're literally playing for survival until (spoiler alert!) reality sets in and they realize their days are essentially numbered. At this juncture, my mind raced to what those final days of Sonic-dom might look like should it become apparent that the team's leaving town. Delivering a cream pie to the face of company man P.J. Carlesimo during post-game interviews crossed my mind, as did simply punching Clay Bennett's square mug. But if, God forbid, push comes to shove, I'll likely eschew violence, turn to my old friend, the bottle, and hold vigil in front of the Key. Let's hope it doesn't come to that.