New On DVD: 'Semi-Pro'

'Semi Pro' (R and Unrated): If you're looking for an original sports comedy, you won't find it with "Semi-Pro" -- a half-inspired Will Ferrell movie that fouled out of theaters fast earlier this year. The good thing is, "Semi-Pro" doesn't shoot a complete air ball: but it's far from being a slam-dunk.

You have to credit Farrell for trying, at least, for going out on the edge to play another goofy, shameless character. This time it's Jackie Moon -- a 1970s American Basketball Association star who is also the owner and head coach of the flagging Michigan basketball franchise, the Flint Tropics.

Built on the success of his disco-era hit single "Love Me Sexy," Moon has the wherewithal to come up with unique ways to promote his lackluster team; it's just that nobody's showing up at the games -- and that's a big problem when the NBA agrees to a merger with the ABA that doesn't include the Tropics. Determined to thrust the Tropics into the competition for an NBA slot, Jackie brings in a former star player, Ed Monix (Woody Harrelson), to give his team a boost -- a move that doesn't sit well with the Tropics' best player, Clarence "Coffee" Black (Andre Benjamin).

While the movie has its moments, "Semi-Pro" never quite scores. To begin with, Farrell's once sure-fire formula of misfit comedy is wearing thin. It's beginning to feel like we're watching the same oddball Farrell character over and over again, just in a different setting. And it doesn't help that the jokes mostly comprise the same, old, tired material, with some fail-safe crude dialogue thrown in a desperate effort to punch up the proceedings. The weird thing is, two of the cast's proven comedy actors -- Harrelson and frequent Farrell co-star David Koechner (who plays the ABA commissioner) -- are in the movie to play it straight.

If you're looking for something more original, revisit Farrell and Jon Heder's comedic gem "Blades of Glory" or a classic sports misfit comedy like "Slap Shot."

DVD Features: "Semi-Pro" production featurettes including "Love Me Sexy -- The Story Behind the One-Hit-Wonder," "Recreating the American Basketball Association" and "Four Days in Flint;" Behind the scenes footage with Bill Walton, Bob Costas and character "Dick Pepperfield" (Andrew Daly); "Love Me Sexy" music video and more. (New Line Home Entertainment)

Also New Tuesday:
'The Eye' (PG-13): Like "Semi-Pro," Jessica Alba's blink-and-you-miss-it thriller about a blind concert violinist (Alba) who gains sudden sight and sees freakish things makes a quick debut on DVD. The film is an Americanized remake of the Hong Kong thriller "Jian Gui." (Lions Gate Home Entertainment)

'Meet The Spartans' (R): This latest Hollywood spoof offering skewers box office hits including "300" and celebrity party girls like Paris Hilton, Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan. Carmen Electra and Kevin Sorbo star. (Fox Home Entertainment)