Genre: Comedy
Director: Ben Stiller
Starring: Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Christine Taylor, Will Ferrell, Milla Jovovinch
RunTime: 1 hr 30 mins
Released By: GV
Rating: NC-16 (Sexual References)

Opening Day: 16 Feb 2006

Synopsis :

Derek Zoolander has been the dominant male model in the industry for three years thanks to his patented "look," Blue Steel. On the night of the VH1 Fashion Awards, what should be his fourth trophy goes to an upstart model named Hansel. Adding to the insult, a story in Time magazine brands him an idiot. Derek decides to retire and seek out his roots. Meanwhile, the new prime minister of Malaysia has upset a secret coalition of fashion designers by promising to raise the minimum wage, effectively ending their supply of cheap labor in sweatshops. Sensing disaster, the covert group charges Mugatu, the current king of haute couture, to find a mindless male model to brainwash into assassinating the new world leader. Derek, rejected by his family, stumbles predictably into Mugatu's hands and the only ones who can save him are the reporter who took away his good name, his rival Hansel, and a mysterious model from the past who sheds light on the whole conspiracy. They have to work against time and Derek's ineptitude to stop him from killing on the night Mugatu reveals his newest clothing line with the Malaysian minister as his "honored guest."

Movie Review:

“Zoolander” has a bit of controversy in Singapore back in 2001 when it was first schedule to be shown here besides the fact that none of the leads look like a professional cat-like model (or an inch convincing) plus the whole setup is so ridiculously unimaginable. "Zoolander" was pulled out of theatres before it has any sneak previews as the movie has a rather touchy subplot that involves assassinating the Prime Minister of Malaysia. Finally, with some political climate changes on our friendly neighbour’s side, “Zoolander” finally gets the chance to grace the big screen.

Ben Stiller who co-wrote and direct this slapstick comedy stars as top-model, Derek Zoolander. Derek who was usurped by an upcoming model (played by his best pal, Owen Wilson) for the top model award decides to quit the fashion world and goes back to join his coal-mining father (Jon Voight in a rather hilarious role). Not surprisingly, our pretty boy who is used to all the pampering finds it hard to adapt to such a hard lifestyle and that’s when the whole storyplot begins to u-turn into superb unbelievable territory. Derek is brainwashed into assassinating the Malaysia Prime Minister by an evil designer (the boisterous Will Ferrell before he is widely noticed in “Elf”) and his assistant (played so coolly by Milla Jovovinch).

For the uninitiated, the character “Zoolander” originates from a short skit in a VH1 show created by Stiller. It serves at best a mockery at the flamboyant fashion world. However, to extend a comedy skit to a full-length movie requires more than just a few seconds of rib-tickling jokes thus in “Zoolander”, you will find almost all sorts of jokes, pranks tossed in. Besides that, you will find new meanings for the terms “walk-off” and “day-spa”. And there’s a laughable sex scene thrown in too. However, not every joke works of course. Fortunately enough, Stiller and Wilson is able to keep up the adrenalin throughout this madcap comedy. To keep you distracted, tones of cameos including Donald Trump, Paris Hilton and even Stiller’s dad, Jerry and his wife Christine Taylor turns up as a reporter. Even X-files alumni, David Duchovny appears as an ex-hand model.

Although released years back, “Zoolander” marks the most successful pair-up of a comedic duo (Stiller and Wilson) for the past decade. Their leading performances with the zany antics of Ferrell and the rest of the supporting cast makes this a worthy time in the cinema. It gives new meaning to the phrase “Leaving your brains at home” after you watched this. I’m sure you agree with me on this.

Movie Rating:

(As what the tagline says, "3% body fat. 1% brain activity". Zoolander is a madcap comedy that doesn't require your brain to be switch on for 90 minutes)

Review by Linus Tee