Zoolander


2.5/4

Starring: Ben Stiller, Christine Taylor, Owen Wilson, Will Ferrell, Jerry Stiller, Milla Jovovich

Rated PG-13 for Sexual Content and Drug References

“Zoolander” is a satire of the fashion industry (which is an easy enough target) and spy movies (ditto).  The problem is that few of the jokes have any edge or sense of being fresh, and that means boredom.  It is a testament to the talent of the actors that this film is more consistently amusing than it is boring (although it is also that at times, too).

The intrepid hero of this film is an exceptionally dim-witted model named Derek Zoolander (Stiller).  In comparison, Bill and Ted are MENSA members (it’s probably unfair to compare him to Borat, because in all honesty, Borat was oblivious and naive rather than stupid).  Once at the top of the modeling world, his star has been replaced by the blond-locked Hansel (Wilson).  After his best friends are killed in an accident, he decides to leave his modeling life behind.  Then his agent (Jerry Stiller) calls and says that fashion mogul Mugatu (Ferrell) wants him to head his new Derelicte line (inspired by the homeless).  The problem is that Mugatu is going to brainwash Zoolander to kill the President of Malaysia, who has promised to crack down on child labor (which provides most of the work for the fashion industry).

“Zoolander” is a family affair; Stiller, his wife Christine Taylor, his father Jerry and mother Anne Meara (in a cameo as a protester) are all in the cast.  The film is littered with cameos as well, including everyone from Natalie Portman to Fabio.

The humor is hit and miss.  When it works, it’s worth a few giggles, but there are many moments where the humor falls flat, either because Stiller hammers the joke in long after the humor has worn itself out or because it just wasn’t funny in the first place.

Much of the success (and failure) has to do with Stiller.  Not only is Derek present in almost every scene, he also directed, produced and co-wrote the script.  Stiller can be very funny when he’s given good material, and a lot of the reason why the material that’s not particularly funny is worth a grin is because of how far Stiller pushes the character.  Zoolander is really, REALLY dumb!  It’s certainly not because his co-stars are any good.  Christine Taylor may be Stiller’s wife, but she can’t act (at least not in a comedy…I could see her in a drama).  Owen Wilson plays one character, and it’s gotten pretty old.  On the contrary, this is one of the few instances where Will Ferrell is actually funny.  When he’s on the money, Ferrell can be hilarious (but only in small doses).  When he’s off or forced to carry his own picture, he’s excruciating (I count “Anchorman” as one of the worst movies I’ve ever seen).

All in all, I can’t quite recommend the film, but I will say I know people who love it, so I won’t try and stop you from giving it a try.  It is, after all, only 89 minutes long.

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