Review 39: Zoolander (2001)

My favorite Ben Stiller movie is The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. For the most part, I’m not a fan of Ben Stiller comedies. With that in mind, I’ve gone most of my life not watching Zoolander, which has a 64% on Rotten Tomatoes, and I hadn’t plan to change that. However, I found myself bored on a Saturday afternoon and TBS was about to start Zoolander so I figured now was the time.

Derrick Zoolander (Ben Stiller) is the best of the male models, but after a tragic gasoline fight accident kills a few of his friends he decides to retire. He is then finally hired by Mugatu (Will Ferrell) who brainwashes him to kill the Prime Minister of Malaysia. Sleuth reporter, Matilda Jeffries (Christine Taylor,) and rival model, Hansel (Own Wilson), align to attempt to save Derrick Zoolander.

THE GOOD

Will Ferrell is probably the funniest part of the film. His character is ridiculous and even his backstory has some humorous elements. He builds a model of The Derek Zoolander Center For Kids Who Can’t Read Good and Zoolander responds with anger stating, “What is this? A center for ants?” The whole scene was funny, but from the trailer as it was one of the scene I knew going into this film.
There are definitely elements of this film that have humor. The small cell phone, the gasoline fight, Mugatu’s views of child labor laws, and Jerry Stiller has some comical prostate jokes. However, how this film is beloved by many alludes me still.

THE BAD

I don’t find Stiller to be funny in most movies. Not that I don’t smile, but generally I’m vaguely amused. Most of the jokes are predictable and on the side of stupid. Matlida confides in Hansel and Zoolander that she was Bulimic to which Zoolander replies, “You can read minds.” I get it; male models are stupid. That doesn’t really make me laugh though.
It’s odd because you put Dumb and Dumber on and I’ll probably laugh stupidly throughout the film, but Stiller doesn’t click for me like Jim Carey does. Stiller and Steve Carell are two often comedic actors that the public adores, but I prefer in dramatic roles. That said, Zoolander doesn’t do it for me.

THE VERDICT

I may end up seeing Zoolander 2 as a commitment to seeing popular releases this year and that one seems like people are excited about it. I do not look forward to being tortured by likely the same jokes for two hours though. I give Zoolander a 5 out of 10 left turns.