Zoolander 2

Zoolander 2 – When several high-profile popstars are killed, Interpol seeks the help of former male model, Derek Zoolander, who has been living as a ‘hermit crab’ for several years. Reluctantly agreeing to help, Zoolander joins forces with former rival and friend, Hansel to discover the truth and also reconnect with his son who was taken away from him a few years before. But with things being a little too convenient and the modelling industry being much different to what they remember, are the two ‘has-beens’ too far out of their depth to kick-start their careers and find out who is behind the murders?

Zoolander 2 (2016) – Director: Ben Stiller

“Zoolander 2 poster” by Source. Fair use via Wikipedia – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Zoolander_2_poster.jpg#/media/File:Zoolander_2_poster.jpg

Rating: 12A

Running Length: 102 mins

Starring: Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Will Ferrell

Genre: Comedy

REVIEW: ‘ZOOLANDER 2’

The long-awaited sequel to the excellent ‘Zoolander’ has finally landed and even though fifteen years have passed, the humour is still spot-on and relevant, showing just how over the top and outrageous the fashion industry can be. Jam-packed with celebrity cameos, including an unusual role for Kiefer Sutherland and a host of designers who all take on self-deprecating personas, ‘Zoolander 2’ is certainly self-aware and is unashamedly ridiculing the ridiculous without going so far as to actually be disrespectful to those at the butt of the joke.

Ben Stiller’s ‘Derek Zoolander’ is as endearingly innocent and stupid as ever. Hansel (played by Owen Wilson) is no different but is happy living a hippy lifestyle with his ‘orgy’ (including the aforementioned Mr Sutherland). Going back into the world of modelling proves difficult at first with their outdated performances attracting derision and mockery but it is good to see them rise above that to face their challenges head-on.

While it isn’t as good as its predecessor, ‘Zoolander 2’ provides plenty of laugh out loud moments and so many cameos that no matter how eagle-eyed you are, there are bound to be some that you miss the first time round.

CONTENT: IS ‘ZOOLANDER 2’ SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN?

A character is shot with a machine gun, dozens of blood soaked wounds are seen on their torso while they lurch and jerk from the blows. This goes on for around a minute (for comedy effect, this continues for much longer than would usually be expected). When the shooting stops and the killer walks away, the victim is still alive but dies shortly after.

There is some insensitive language when a character is introduced who is transgender, for example, one character when trying to ascertain their gender asks if they have a hotdog or a bun. This intrusive style of questioning (which is completely unnecessary) is likely to be offensive to many, the character does not pay attention to the childish questions and somewhat gets their own back a short while later in the movie.

There are numerous times throughout the movie where women wear revealing outfits. Some are models in the background whose clothes barely cover their breasts and behinds. Another, more established character often wears clothes that show off their cleavage.

Zoolander watches an old commercial that he did a few years before where he was half-human and half-cow (similar to a centaur). A woman begins to milk his udders, the camera cuts to a close-up of his face and it is implied that this is giving him an orgasm.

There are several jokes about orgies, one character lives with a group of people who he affectionately calls his ‘orgy’ (it is strongly implied that they engage in group sex). Another group approach the character and make it abundantly clear that they wish to be his new orgy. Both groups have a range of various individuals, including men and women of all shapes, ages and sizes. During one of these scenes there is some sexual activity which is shown as various close-ups of character’s faces who all moan with pleasure.

In a partially animated scene, a man is tied down on an altar while a large man approaches him. The camera focuses on the large man who raises a dagger above his head; he brings it down into the torso of the victim who screams. The attacker pulls out the man’s heart and holds it aloft.

There is a mural on a wall of men wearing small denim shorts. One is bending over so that his behind is the main thing to be seen. A character feels around this part of the wall saying ‘If I feel around here long enough, I should be able to find the hole’.

CAN I SEE A CLIP?

VERDICT: IS ‘ZOOLANDER 2’ FOR KIDS?

In ‘Zoolander 2’, Ben Stiller continues the irreverent humour that was established in its predecessor and, with even more cameos than last time, it has clearly been accepted by those who are at the butt of the jokes. With a lot of unavoidable bad language and sexual content throughout, we feel that ‘Zoolander 2’ is not suitable for children under the age of 12.

• Violence: 3/5 (a character is stabbed in the cheek, the injury is shown on-screen as is the knife sticking out of their face. This is done for comedy and some blood is seen although it isn’t overly gory)
• Emotional Distress: 1/5 (it is established that a major character from the first movie has been killed in an accident, their spouse struggles to come to terms with their death. There are a couple of occasions where this character appears as a ghostly apparition, in one of them they face changes and distorts into a man with a facial scar who looks quite scary)
• Fear Factor: 1/5 (some characters wear cloaks with hoods and are very mysterious, walking around in darkness. It is clear that they are ‘bad’ characters.)
• Sexual Content: 5/5 (moderate to strong sexual dialogue including references to ‘happy endings’, and oral sex. One character asks another if they ‘really have sex for ten hours’. A female character strips down to a bathing suit, tells a male character to get behind her and puts his hands on her breasts, however this isn’t done to be sexual but the comedy of this moment comes from the suggestiveness of it)
• Bad Language: 5/5 (frequent moderate cursing throughout, some blasphemy. One strong curse word is used. One character calls a character a ‘basic bitch’ and a tattoo is shown which says ‘stitch bitch’)
• Dialogue: 4/5(mostly sexual innuendo/references, for example ‘tonight’s going to be a total jack off’, and ‘best orgy of my life’. One character accidentally says ‘KKK’ instead of ‘AKA’. There are several jokes made at the expense of an overweight character)
• Other notes: Deals with themes of friendship, parenthood, the fashion industry, realising what’s important in life, understanding that being popular once doesn’t guarantee respect, having the courage to go into dangerous situations and being a good person regardless of one’s intellectual capacity.

Words by Laura Record

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