Film Review: Zoolander 2

Derek and Hansel are back on the catwalk and despite their 14 year-long hiatus they are so hot right now.

Hansel (Wilson), Derek (Stiller) and Valentina (Cruz). Photo: Youtube

Ben Stiller has made a hilariously strange yet incredibly quotable comeback in Zoolander 2, the sequel to box office flop but loved by millions film Zoolander, which hit cinemas way back in 2001. Although it takes place over a decade later in the tech-driven world we live in today, the familiarity of the movie is fun to watch and easy to enjoy.

Not only do we take pleasure in seeing the familiar faces of the original cast – Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson and Will Ferrell, but this movie is jam-packed with cameos from our favourite Hollywood stars and also the famous faces of the fashion world. Justin Bieber is one of the first familiar faces we see in the opening scene of the movie, followed by appearances from, to name just a few, Ariana Grande, Sting, Skrillex, Katy Perry, Alexander Wang and Kiefer Sutherland. An outrageously funny cameo from Benedict Cumberbatch who ditched his Sherlock appearance to portray a transgender model named “All” also appears on screen.

When his wife dies tragically after Derek’s Centre For Kids Who Can’t Read Good collapses, Derek Zoolander’s son is taken by child services, resulting in Derek retiring from modelling and living a secluded life alone in the wilderness. Meanwhile, his ex-best friend and former model Hansel is also hiding from the world due to sustaining injuries to his face in the same accident.

When the now has-beens of fashion are summoned by world famous designer Alexanya Atoz (Kristen Wiig) to participate in one of her shows, Derek and Hansel decide to put their differences aside to make a comeback and try show the world that Derek is a responsible father that will be capable of looking after his son, Derek Jr. While doing this, the duo also tackle an evil fashion-related plot by the first film’s villain, Mugatu (Will Ferrell), with Interpol agent Valentina (Penélope Cruz).

The movie is very plotty, with storyline after storyline being added in, and if we didn’t have the sentimental attachment coming from the first movie, it could potentially become another sequel that doesn’t quite work out. Although Stiller recycles some jokes from the original movie with slight changes, it still provokes laughter from the audience and is so weirdly funny I found myself thinking “what am I actually watching right now?”

The writers and director didn’t disappoint in bringing us this warm and funny sequel with a really, really, ridiculously good looking cast and super-hot storyline.

Rating: 3.5/5

Zoolander 2 hits Irish cinemas everywhere on February 12th.

By Cara Croke