Tag Archives: David Bowie

ZOOLANDER (2001): The Things I Liked…

Zoolander (2001), Will Ferrell Paramount Pictures
Zoolander (2001), Will Ferrell Paramount Pictures

Zoolander (2001) is one of my favourite feel-good, silly films. Starring Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Will Ferrell, and Christine Taylor, it offers a satirical look at the world of male modelling.

I’m almost certain that 90% of the time, as the movie played, I was either smiling or laughing. It’s the story, dialogue, production, costumes, and general ridiculousness that tickled me so.

There isn’t much for me to hate about star/director and co-writer Ben Stiller’s film. To me, Zoolander is edited perfectly, with not a single moment of wasted screen time. How could this not be the case, especially when Stiller, a proven funny man with great comic timing, is so heavily involved in the movie?

I enjoyed every single character in Zoolander, including the one played by a young Alexander Skarsgård. David Bowie’s short but all-important cameo is also a key highlight. In fact, I enjoyed all the cameos. Something I wish I could say about Zoolander 2 (2016)

My overall favourite character is absolutely Jacobim Mugatu, a fashion designer character played perfectly by Will Ferrell.

Happy Film Loving,

G

ZOOLANDER 2 (2016): The Things I Loved…

Zoolander 2 (2016), Owen Wilson, Ben Stiller
Zoolander 2 (2016), Owen Wilson, Ben Stiller

Starring Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson and Will Ferrell, I’ll start by confirming that without question, the original Zoolander (2001) movie is better. The story in the first movie seemed so much simpler in comparison and I found that I loved every single cameo, including Paris Hilton, Billy Zane and especially David Bowie.

The cameos in Zoolander 2, particularly the ones from the world of fashion, are disappointing, on account of dodgy acting skills all round. Valentino, Tommy Hilfiger, Anna Wintour and Marc Jacobs – along with Justin Bieber all did the best they could, of course. Nevertheless,  I was still left wanting.

Overall, nothing was half as annoying as Kyle Mooney’s Don Atari. The character’s extreme and irritating hipster ways made it hard to see why he had to be there at all.

Zoolander 2 (2016), Will Ferrell, Nathan Lee Graham
Zoolander 2 (2016), Will Ferrell, Nathan Lee Graham

I enjoyed the use of a soundtrack that definitely seemed more at home in a superhero movie. Will Ferrell’s Jacobim Mugato, my very favourite character from the original film is the one I couldn’t wait to see again, and what a joyful reunion it turned out to be. I remember laughing particularly loudly at his line about the number of square meals fed to Derek Jr., a character played very well by young Cyrus Arnold.

I’m a big fan of the first Zoolander movie. This sequel, though not an improvement on the original, I found it worth it for the handful of jokes that do land successfully, and for the opportunity to reminisce about how happy I was to have come across the original film in the first place.

Watch Zoolander 2, especially if you loved the original and you’re as curious as I am. Should you watch just one of these movies instead of both, please let it be Zoolander (2001).

Happy Film Loving, 

G