Zoolander (2001)

A story that's too fascinating to pass by...

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

Derek Zoolander is VH1's three time male model of the year, but when Hansel wins the award instead, Zoolander's world becomes upside down. His friends disappear, his father is disappointed in him, and he feels that he's not good as a model anymore. But when evil fashion guru Mugatu hires Zoolander, he thinks his life has turned back round again, that is until he finds out that Mugatu has actually brainwashed him to kill the Prime Minister of Malaysia. Zoolander is a hilarious spoof on the fashion industry and a pretty good one too that benefits from Ben Stiller's perfomance but also alot of cameos from celebrities and it understood it's puprose something than number 2 did not.

ZoolanderIt's stupid and ridiculous and still not funny even though Ben goes all-in; he hardly makes a point.

So, Zoolander. I'm really unimpressed so far. There a couple of good moments, but I'm not liking the main point. To be fair, I could just be a bit of a prude or whatever, but I'm not really feeling it. It doesn't help that this movie has been hyped to all hell. I mean, I could definitely get into a movie like Anchorman, but it's pretty simplistic and whatnot. I mean, not a really fan of any of the characters. Derek has some good qualities, in his desire to help the children, but it just seems like an easy way to make him a somewhat relatable character, and abandon it early after it brings him back. The backstory with his family seems pretty predictable, though I'm sure they'll do something with it by the end. Hansel is kind of a cool guy I guess, but there's not much to him. Also, Derek and Hansel are so dumb, it kind of takes away from the plot. I mean, the whole computer joke was telegraphed to all hell, though it didn't help that it's part of the movie that I believe I've seen before. Matilda's there, for some reason. I mean, just to kind of give that one lady her "lady comeuppance," and that is kind of stupid. I mean, also for some weird bulimia jokes, some no sex jokes, and for Derek. I mean, I don't want to get SJW on this, but not exactly gonna pass any Bechdel tests (or just the 1, I guess). With Maury running around, none of the women have a particularly nice time of it anyway, I guess. Will Ferrell is probably the best part, and he's only all right.If nothing else, the plot is kind of fun. I mean, it's interesting at least. And some of the jokes work pretty well; probably the best would be Will Ferrell's crazy dancing in the hypnotizing scene, and during the credits as well. The quotable ones were possibly the most disappointing, though. "Crazy Pills," and "a building for ants," were pretty telegraphed for those who knew it was coming, and if you didn't know about them from general internet culture, I feel as though they wouldn't be as significant or useful.As a last ditch effort, I'd like to try to gain some respect for it by putting myself in the shoes of the movie, and trying to see what the point/purpose/goal was, a la Movie Bob. To spitball, and see if I can find it, I could assume general entertainment, some satire, owed to the eating disorders, general vapid nature of the models, and corruption of the fashion industry. I don't know much about the time of this movie being out, but I can't really think of anything late 90s or early 00s. All in all, pretty underwhelming.

Zoolander (2001): Dir: Ben Stiller / Cast: Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Christine Taylor, Will Ferrell, Milla Jovovich: Ben Stiller plays supermodel Derek Zoolander who is the best in the business with his latest fashion called Magnum. He is on top of his game until Hanszel wins male model of the year. Now they are engaged in a bitter feud, which involves a competition where they both yank their underwear out of their pants. Enter Christine Taylor who is attempting to uncover an assassination plot where male models are brainwashed into committing the crime. This all climaxes with extreme stupidity but Stiller succeeds in creating a film that is far different than his Reality Bites with obvious inspiration of Austin Powers. It is obvious that he researched his subject matter and took aim at the sometimes pompus world of the fame seeking. Stiller as Zoolander seeks appreciation from his father as well as retain his public dignity. Owen Wilson steals his spotlight as Hanszel. Taylor is a mere prop with hinted romantic intentions. Will Ferrell is hilarious as the villain with outrageous hair. Milla Jovovich plays Ferrell's evil henchwoman, which is just as well since she has done the Resident Evil films. The climax is sidelined by numbing violence meant for humor but is merely just corny. Good concept satires the world of modeling with colorful production but it still wallows in stupidity. Score: 7 ½ / 10