Not since the first "Austin Powers" have we seen such a beloved and quotable film that found its fame long after its run in theaters.
The first "Zoolander" premiered Sept. 28, 2001, and audiences had much more important things on their minds at that time. To say the comedy about the vanity of New York male models fell short at the box office is an understatement. But "Zoolander" found new life on DVD, setting off a the global phenomenon now known as the Blue Steel look.
Unfortunately, the sequel came too late. Derek Zoolander's antics have all but been forgotten in today's world. Tiny cellphones aren't chic anymore. Starbucks no longer sells the orange mocha frappucino. The only part of "Zoolander" that survives in culture today is Blue Steel, although it's simply called "duck lips" now.
At least the sequel did better in theaters than the first installment. And, hey, we get to watch Justin Bieber die.
THE FILM
Set 15 years after the first film. Derek Zoolander (Ben Stiller) is now in hiding (using the pseudonym Eric Toolander) after his Center for Kids who Can't Read Good and who Wanna Learn to do Other Stuff Good Too collapsed, resulting in the death of his wife and the removal of his son by Child & Family Services.
Hansel (Owen Wilson) has removed himself from the fashion world after being hideously scarred from the center's collapse. He now lives in the desert with his 12-member orgy, which includes Kiefer Sutherland.
But a mysterious invitation from fashion designer Alexanya Atoz (Kristen Wiig) requests the two models come to Rome for a new fashion show. Derek's buddy Billy Zane convinces him that if he takes the job, he could show Child Services he's working and possibly get his son back.
When Hansel and Derek reunite in Rome, they find out Derek's son Derek Jr. (Cyrus Arnold) is being housed at an Italian orphanage. Perhaps their being summoned isn't just a coincidence.
With the help of Interpol's agent Valentina Valencia (Penelope Cruz), who's part of its fashion division, Derek and Hansel find out there's much more going on in the fashion industry, which includes a diabolical plot involving Derek Jr. and the assassination of the world's rock stars.
I loved the original film, and I love this new version. Did it have its problems? Yes. But overall it delivered exactly what the first film delivered: a comedy steeped in intrigue where the main players are narcissistic players in the fashion industry.
Will Ferrell, who plays Mugatu, is hilarious both in his delivery of lines and in his wardrobe. Stiller and Wilson play wonderfully off each other. But the standout performance was Wiig's, whose facial expressions and word pronunciation ("hot and steamy faces" becomes "howt and styamee feces") had me literally in tears.
It's rife with cameos, from Susan Boyle flipping off the paparazzi to Susan Sarandon quoting lines from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." I think the best cameo came in the form of Justin Bieber, who I cannot stand. I enjoyed his performance because he dies in a hail of gunfire. It's fun to watch.
The one cameo that didn't work, though, was Benedict Cumberbatch's. His character, the androgynous All, might have worked had every other line not been about his genitals.
"Zoolander 2" is impeccably shot and produced. It's silly and stupid. It's a fitting sequel, and it's just a shame it didn't come sooner.
THE EXTRAS
Considering the content of the movie, these extras aren't very funny. It's refreshing, though, to see how seriously everyone involved took this movie.
The Zoolander Legacy
Ben Stiller and the rest of the cast and crew explain why it took so long to get a sequel off the ground. They talk about 9/11 and how the first film basically flopped because of that. It makes me sad for this franchise.
Go Big or Go Rome
This discussion about filming in Rome is pretty standard. At least they don't refer to Rome as a character in the movie, though; I can't stand when that happens.
Drake Sather: The Man Who Created Zoolander
Continuing the serious trend, this is a documentary short about stand-up comedian Drake Sather, who had his heyday in the '90s. He wrote the Derek Zoolander character for the 1996 VH1 fashion awards, which eventually led to the movie. He died in 2004, and the filmmakers still can't do interviews about him without getting choked up.
Youth Milk
The one silly aspect of the special features — this is Kristin Wiig doing the "Youth Milk" (pronounced "Yowth Mialk") commercial. It's very funny.
IS IT WORTH OWNING?
If you enjoyed the first movie, then you'll probably want to own this one. It's full of little Easter eggs you'll only get on multiple viewings. Plus, you can watch Justin Bieber die over and over and over again. But if ridiculous comedy and silly premises aren't your thing, then save your money for something a little more focused.
Follow Matthew on Twitter and Instagram, @MatthewJGeek; like him at Facebook.com/MatthewJacobsonGeek; email him at MJacobson@TheSpectrum.com; call him at 435-674-6234.
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