3 stars out of 5
I think I liked the first Zoolander? Sorry, I can’t really remember; it was a long time ago. And I’m maybe confusing it in my head with Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson’s version of Starsky & Hutch. But I have been a Stiller fan for a very long time, ever since the five-episode Ben Stiller Show on MTV circa 1989–90.
Now, belated sequels such as Zoolander 2 often reek of desperation, a last-gasp, post-failure return to a successful franchise. And you could certainly argue that Stiller and Wilson aren’t at the peaks of their careers. But, at least in the early going here, this seems better than a calculated cash-in. The writers and cast seem fully engaged in delivering a high-quality product, and I laughed out loud several times in the first half hour or so.
Unfortunately, the script couldn’t maintain that pace. But, there are enough funny bits and nonstop cameos (I won’t ruin them) to keep things entertaining enough for the rest of the way.
As for the main talent: Stiller’s Derek Zoolander is still a pretty funny character (stretched a bit thin in the course of 102 minutes). Owen Wilson, though, isn’t quite as charming as he used to be. Kristen Wiig has a lot of fun as a surgery-damaged fashion guru with an absurd accent. Penélope Cruz holds her own as an INTERPOL agent/former swimsuit model, except during a not-funny scene in which Stiller holds her own. As a top young hipster designer, Kyle Mooney — my favorite current SNL cast member — comedically tries his best but doesn’t have much to work with here. Justin Theroux, taking a break from The Leftovers, isn’t particularly funny in this either. (Theroux also co-wrote with Stiller, so, two checks anyway.)
Thankfully, Will Ferrell eventually shows up as the evil Mugatu. His loud, silly performance really enlivens the movie’s last third.
So, unless you’re a true-blue(steel) Zoolander buff or a funny-fashion aficionado, there’s need to rush out and see this one in the theater. But on a plane, or Netflix, or cable, it definitely wouldn’t be a bad way to kill some time. Hmm, I guess they won’t be using that quote on the poster.
Jack Silbert, curator