37 of 40 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
WONDERFULLY WACKY SATIRE OF THE NEW YORK FASHION INDUSTRY..., July 27, 2002
This film is a zany, funny, irreverent look at the materialistic, superficial, and shallow fashion world. Seen through the eyes of the dense and singleminded male model, Derek Zoolander (Ben Stiller), it slyly pokes fun at all that the fashion world holds dear.
Zoolander, a three time winner of the male model of the year award, goes up against the new kid in town, Hansel (Owen Wilson), and much to his amazement has his crown taken from him. No longer the toast of the town and already yesterday's news, Zoolander falls prey to the dastardly machinations of acclaimed fashion designer, Mugatu (Will Ferrell), and his evil sidekick, Katinka (Milla Jovovich).
It seems that Mugatu and Katinka want to turn Zoolander into an unwitting assassin whose killing frenzy will be triggered by hearing certain words of a song. In order to keep Mugatu's sweatshops running at full throttle, they hope to rid themselves of the prime minister of Malaysia, who is planning on abolishing child labor. An intelligent and intrepid reporter, Matilda Jeffries (Christine Taylor), who is also Zoolander's love interest, realizes, however, that something amiss is afoot. Before you know it, bitter rivals Zoolander and Hansel are joined in battle against the forces of evil.
This is a hilarious and silly spoof that is sure to make the viewer rock and roll with laughter. Ben Stiller is hysterical as the dumber than dumb Zoolander, who struggles to find meaning in his life after his modeling career tanks. Owen Wilson is absolutely endearing as Zoolander's equally dense rival, Hansel. David Duchovny has a small, but memorable, role as J.P. Prewitt, a former hand model. Jon Voight is funny as Larry Zoolander, Derek's macho, coal miner father, who is mortified by his effeminate looking son and his chosen occupation.
Jerry Stiller, Ben's real life father, has a pivotal role as Maury Ballstein, head of the Balls Modeling Agency, who claims to love Zoolander as a son but sells him down river anyway, when the chips are down. Ben's real life mom, Anna Meara, has a very small part in the film, as does his real life sister, Amy. Cameos by celebrities who play themselves abound in this film. Look for Donatella Versace, Winona Ryder, Billy Zane, Claudia Schiffer. Gary Shandling, "Lil Kim. Sandra Bernhard, David Bowie, Fabio, Lenny Kravitz, and Donald Trump, just to name a few.
If you are a fan of the Saturday Night Live show, Mad TV, and Comedy Central, then you will, undoubtedly, enjoy this original, silly, satiric, and thoroughly funny and irreverent spoof of the New York fashion scene.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Delightfully Offbeat, August 9, 2006
I can't figure out which makes me laugh more: the actual movie, or the review written by Roger Ebert where he climbs up on a soap box and attempts to lecture the worlds on the dangers of terrorism before handing out a one star rating. I would think it's quite an honor for a film to be panned by the man who once trashed A Clockwork Orange, #46 on AFI's list of 100 great American films.
Honestly, this isn't the type of movie that will blow you away the first time you see it. There are some funny parts, but you may be distracted with wondering why Stiller chose his wife to play the token hot woman. But, like any classic comedy, this is the type of movie that just ages well. It's not a masterpiece that will spark discussions like The Royal Tenenbaums. It's probably not even the type of movie that you'd want to lie around and watch on a rainy day. But it's a perfect background movie. You know, the type of movie that comes on TV and you end up watching when you're just killing time. Or the type of movie you can throw in for background noise when you have a few friends over.
The actual plot is as off-the-wall as they come. An investigative reporter is looking into the life of male-models and eventually discovers a plot to brainwash Derek Zoolander and make him into an assassin, all for the good of the fashion industry. One of the funniest things about the movie is that the successful male models are played by Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson--who aren't exactly pretty boys.
The comedy in the movie can be pretty hit or miss, but you never get the feeling that the guys are mailing in their performances; this one doesn't suffer from a lack of effort. There are plenty of word gags reminiscent of Leslie Nielsen flicks. The movie has several appearances from well known actors like Jon Voight, Will Ferrell and David Duchovny, but what really carries it is the strength of the leading men: Wilson and Stiller. In the end, it's hard not to be at least mildly entertained. Any one who likes the stars should enjoy the movie.
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24 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ben Stiller is Absolutely Adorable, His Movie Hilarious, October 1, 2001
I guess I ought to warn you first by stating that I am one of the few people in the USA to love the movie "Cable Guy" directed by Ben Stiller. That movie was panned by just about everyone. I subsequently enjoyed his move into leading man acting. In every movie he's been in, I think he's proved his ability as a comedic romantic leading man. They are in short supply nowadays too so I do not take his success in that venue lightly. With this film, he returns to writing and directing plus takes the lead role of Derek Zoolander, top male model. Derek is lacking in brains in many areas, although he can suprise you in other areas with considerable smarts. Although I generally don't like brainless men, Stiller makes Derek Zoolander work for me. The supporting cast is also marvelous. Stiller's Dad Jerry has one of the best roles, Maurray, his agent. He is LOL funny every moment he is on camera. The competitor male model, played by Owen Wilson, is also quite good. I thought I'd die laughing when Stiller and Wilson, in their dumbest character modes, tried to take apart a computer, expecting to find real world file folders inside of it. This all culminates in the high fashion show of "Derelict" based on homeless dressing in NYC. Whoever did Stiller's clothes for the Derelict runway show was a mastermind of wearable art. The coat he wears on his strut down the runway is incredible. I really can't imagine anyone's not enjoying this movie. I'm glad Stiller has returned to directing but not given up on the acting. He's at his best combining them both.
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