Zoolander
98 minutes,
USA (2001), 12
Average user rating 
(4.3 / 179 votes)
(4.3 / 179 votes)
The world's most famous male model is brainwashed to murder the prime minister of Malaysia in this hilarious satire on the fashion industry. Co-scripted, co-produced, directed by and starring Ben Stiller
Director:
Zoolander Review
The world's most famous male model is brainwashed to murder the prime minister of Malaysia in this hilarious satire on the fashion industry. Co-scripted, co-produced, directed by and starring Ben Stiller
After slacker romance Reality Bites and edgy comedy The Cable Guy Ben Stiller turns to goofy farce for his third outing as director. Zoolander is a broad satire on the fashion industry that makes up for its paper-thin plot with a battery of jibes, parodies and cameos. Based on a character Stiller dreamed up for the 1996 VH1/Vogue Fashion Awards, Zoolander bears all the hallmarks of a 'Saturday Night Live' spin-off. Thankfully, the result is more Wayne's World than Coneheads.
Stiller plays Derek Zoolander, a brainless clothes horse at the peak of his profession. But when he loses the coveted male model of the year award to surf dude rival Hansel (Owen Wilson), our hero has a major crisis of confidence. Enter Gautier-style designer Mugatu (Will Ferrell), who brainwashes Derek and orders him to assassinate the prime minister of Malaysia to stop him passing new child labour laws that spell disaster for the fashion industry.
It's an industry that offers rich pickings for a satirist, though Stiller does pull his punches a little in favour of more toothless, Dumb & Dumber-style hijinks involving himself and Wilson. (The film's highlight is a "walk off" challenge that sees them trading moves, and moues, in a hilarious catwalk showdown.)
Stiller plays Derek Zoolander, a brainless clothes horse at the peak of his profession. But when he loses the coveted male model of the year award to surf dude rival Hansel (Owen Wilson), our hero has a major crisis of confidence. Enter Gautier-style designer Mugatu (Will Ferrell), who brainwashes Derek and orders him to assassinate the prime minister of Malaysia to stop him passing new child labour laws that spell disaster for the fashion industry.
It's an industry that offers rich pickings for a satirist, though Stiller does pull his punches a little in favour of more toothless, Dumb & Dumber-style hijinks involving himself and Wilson. (The film's highlight is a "walk off" challenge that sees them trading moves, and moues, in a hilarious catwalk showdown.)
"When it hits, Zoolander is as funny as any Frat Pack picture"
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