Zoolander 2 – a movie review by Toni Susskind
Similar to its predecessor, Zoolander 2 is a mix of satire and tongue in cheek humour that doesn’t to take itself too seriously. The jokes are more hit and miss than the original, but it is still an entertaining way to spend a night out.
As absurdly plotted as the first film, number 2 opens with Justin Bieber being gunned down outside Sting’s home in Rome. In his death throes, the teenage heart throb valiantly manages to take out his phone to send a final selfie to the world.
Believing that Derek Zoolander (Ben Stiller) is the key to solving the mystery of the murders, Interpol agent Valentina (Penelope Cruz) seeks his help, however he is hard to find as he has retired to become a “Hermit Crab.”
Filled with celebrity blink and you will miss cameos from approximately 40 movie stars, singers and fashion icons, such as Sting, Adriana Grande, Keifer Sutherland and Anna Wintour, the movie often takes a swipe at the ever-changing face of fashion, its narcissism and the extremes the industry will go to appear chic, young and stylish.
Staring, written and directed by Stiller, the cast reads like a who’s who of comedic greats. The plot reprises many of its original roles, with a few additional characters, such as the highly talented Kristen Wig, who plays the English language challenged fashionista, Alexanya Atoz and Penelope Cruz as Interpol agent Valentina.
Made 15 years after the original, Zoolander 2 is the chronological continuation of the original film. Specific jokes from the original is successfully carried over, whilst the innocence, naivety and stupidity of the main characters is still a crux of the movie.
Release date: February 11, 2016 (Australia)
Director: Ben Stiller
Running time: 1h 42m
Rating 3/5
