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Movie Review: Zoolander 2

Zoolander 2 Film Art Courtesy of Paramount Pictures Zoolander 2 Film Art

 

In 2001, Zoolander told the story of two unlikely models Derek Zoolander (Ben Stiller) and Hansel (Owen Wilson) who took the fashion world by storm. But it was Derek whose unique style and pouty expression mesmerized his league of followers. To show their gratitude and to give back, the two performers designed and built the "Derek Zoolander Center for Kids Who Can't Read Good And Wanna Learn To Do Other Good Stuff Too". When a disaster destroys the Center, they are disgraced and even blamed for the tragedy. This humiliation leads them to disband and find their own individual forms of seclusion.

Zoolander 2 picks up 15 years later with Derek and Hansel coming out of isolation and determined to reclaim their mega careers and overcome the lingering effects of their pasts.

Back in '01, the first edition of Zoolander performed poorly at the box office. But it developed a following once it was released on DVD, resulting in this sequel. I didn't see that film. But round two of this story deserves a similar box office fate. This movie is awful. The dialogue is loaded with silliness – not funniness. Writing good humor is an art and these writers assume that anything these offbeat characters blurt out will be comical. Additionally, the story is disjointed.

At some points, it's even painful to watch.

Zoolander 2 also wastes the talent of seasoned performers. In addition to Stiller and Wilson, there's Will Ferrell, Penelope Cruz, Kristen Wiig, Fred Armisen, Kiefer Sutherland and a short appearance by Justin Bieber and an even shorter one by MC Hammer. Kiefer Sutherland who has a small but recurring role is actually the funniest. There is a problem when a person on the screen infrequently outshines those who have major roles.

Let's not waste any more time on this debacle and get to our cast diversity rating, Zoolander 2, gets a D. Its diversity is as bad as the rest of the film.

It's rated PG-13 for crude and sexual content, a scene of exaggerated violence, and brief strong language. It gets our lowest rating, Dead on Arrival.