Since its release in 2001, Zoolander went on to become a cult classic thanks to its highly quotable dialogue, larger than life characters and general humour. Ever since it was first announced, audiences have been excited for the coming of Zoolander 2. Now that it’s finally here, what new ingredients does the sequel bring to the table? Can it possibly fill the shoes of its larger than life predecessor?
The film opens like any stereotypical action film, a lone figure fleeing from a group of black clad mystery assassins on bikes. This person is revealed to be Justin Bieber, who is promptly gunned down but not before he shares a selfie of himself in his death throes to the world. If things already sound weird then be prepared, the movie only gets weirder. But that’s OK; we love Zoolander BECAUSE it’s weird.
Zoolander 2 brings us back to the vain, self-centered and oftentimes dark world of male modelling. Ben Stiller reprising his role as Derek Zoolander brings life to his role as easily as if he had never left it. Owen Wilson returns as Hansel, Zoolander’s chief rival and best friend, Wilson brings his own strand of crazy to the film that blends effortlessly with Stiller without feeling repetitive or cliché. Another returning role, Will Ferrell returns as Mugatu who starred as the main antagonist in the first film. Ferrell portrays Mugatu with the same heartless confidence clichéd among fashion icons as easily as if he were one himself.
The amount of cameo’s this film has is almost overpowering, it just goes to show how incredible the first Zoolander was. Featuring Benedict Cumberbatch, Sting, Billy Zane, Katy Perry, John Malkovich, Susan Boyle and many more, this movie has so many celebrities in it; you’ll be constantly going “hey is that…?” That’s nothing to say of the high end newcomers this film introduces. With Penelope Cruz as Valentina, an Interpol agent and Kristen Wiig as the morally questionable fashion icon Alexanya Atoz. Cruz and Wiig give exemplary performances that bring new and fresh ingredients to the Zoolander table.
Zoolander 2 is not without problems, while the actors themselves give great performances there are times when the story teeters on the fine line between silly and inexplicably convenient. There’s no boat to get us back to the mainland? Not to worry, Penelope Cruz is the world’s first ever speedboat. In particular I found the ending disappointing, it felt clunky and rushed. The epilogue was little more than a few still shots of magazine covers and photos while a narrator dictated. Compared to the ending of the first film I feel like they missed a golden opportunity to really let loose. It always frustrates me when a film ends poorly; it’s like having to say goodbye to the characters before you’re ready.
This film does not possess the ahead-of-its-time factor that the first film possessed. Derek Zoolander with his vain narcissism practically invented the selfie. There was none of that same visionary quality, there was little to no new ground broken, no statements on the future of fashion or on the future itself and that is why I consider Zoolander 2 inferior to its predecessor. Yet I would still rank this film as one worth seeing. I doubt this movie will reach the acclaim of its predecessor but there is still plenty of fun to be had in Zoolander 2 and in the end, to be entertained is why we go to the cinemas.