Zoolander 2 – Movie Review

Zoolander 2 – PG-13
Release Date: Fri 12 Feb 2016

Ben Stiller is back as Derek Zoolander, the idiotic model with the magic face introduced in the 2001 original. Zoolander 2 thankfully does not fall into the sequel trap of rehashing the same jokes over again or building it’s entire plot around the fact that Derek and Hansel (Owen Wilson) are fifteen years older. Instead it goes for a very simple story about Derek trying to win back custody of his son Derek Jr. (Cyrus Arnold). This leads Derek and Hansel back into the fashion industry where they team up with an agent in Interpol’s fashion police (Penelope Cruz.)

Zoolander 2 is not a terrible sequel and for the most part it does well by the characters from the original. There are so many people in the cast and a never-ending barrage of celebrity cameos that it can become mired in “the joke” being who just showed up for a silly two minute scene. In place of a romantic interest for Hansel, there is an orgy which has a spokesperson to talk to him on their behalf and is one of my favorite cameos. Justin Bieber’s cameo is hilarious and cathartic. It works to the degree that the people that show up are a surprise, but even if it entertained you on a first viewing the movie won’t stand up to a second.

That leaves the movie as a largely forgettable and unnecessary sequel that manages to not damage the franchise either. It just manages to stay afloat for some disposable laughs without feeling like a waste of time.

Aaron, Cal, and I saw it in the theater and had a discussion in the car: