A Model DVD (Zoolander (DVD))

Member Name: buttonman

Product:	Zoolander (DVD)
Date:	05/04/02 (369 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: It's funny!

Disadvantages: None

This may shock you but my knowledge of the fashion world is slim to say the least. To me pumps are for petrol and Millets jeans are far more comfortable and cheaper than designer gear. Zoolander is therefore a strange choice of DVD for someone normally so choosy when adding to the teetering monolith that is my DVD collection. But it is very good.

Written, directed and starring Ben Stiller the film is a merciless spoof on the fashion world told through the eyes of his titular male model character, Derek Zoolander.

"I Think I'm Taking Crazy Pills Here!"

Derek has been at the top of the modelling tree for three years winning a trio of 'Best male model awards'. The film opens with this year's event with various celebs arriving at the show speaking about how great Derek is. Posh spice says he's an icon and Donald Trump says he is male modelling. A cloud is however on the horizon in the shape of Hansel the fresh new face and mind of modelling. Hansel wonders what bark is made of and likes Sting although he doesn't listen to his music.

After Derek steps up for the award which is in fact Hansel's things can't get any worse, that is until Time magazine calls him a model idiot. Derek tries to cheer himself up by going for ice mocha orange cappachinos with his flatmates but even this goes wrong when they all die in a freak gasoline fight accident. After being upstaged by Hansel at the funeral Derek decides to quit modelling and return home to become a miner like his estranged father and brothers.

Derek's plans however don't go down well with Mogatu, a top designer who plans to use Derek in his plot to kill the Malaysian prime minister who plans to raise the wages of the sweatshop workers who make the fashion industry's clothes. After Derek is cast out by his family he is tempted back to model once again, but with hypnosis in place nothing can stop the plot....except maybe Magnum!


"Die Wage Hiking Scum!"

I loved this film. It's funny throughout and littered with celebrities, none of whom take themselves seriously. David Bowie referees Derek and Hansel's 'Walk off' whilst Winona Ryder comforts both lads separately in a VIP room that is so select it only holds two. David Duchovny makes a great cameo as a conspiracy nut ex-model who argues that all assassins are male models as they can get in VIP places, they work out and do as they are told. As a former hand model or finger jockey he keeps his good hand in a glass bottle to keep it young. Watch the DVD extras to see what becomes of it when Derek smashes the glass!

The fast pace is maintained throughout with a thumping 1980's soundtrack which includes Wham, Michael Jackson ('Beat it' in the great walk off scene) and Frankie goes to Hollywood with a great remix of 'Relax' that serves as Derek's trigger song. There are also great graphics throughout especially in the hypnosis scene, which has multiple Mugatus telling Derek about the evil of child labour laws.

The two leads are great as the rival models who secretly adore each other. Stiller on frequent collaborator Owen Wilson aren't that pretty but carry it off with their wacky philosophies and plain dumb remarks. There is a lot of product placement but it doesn't seem out of place as we see Derek & Hansel promote Gap, Tommy and almost every other brand.

Of the supporting cast the standout for me was Will Ferrell as Mugatu. Hilariously camp, his acting was great and a shoe in for Best supporting actor in my Oscars at any rate. Constantly saying "That Hansel is so hot" he steals every scene with his mad fashion and small poodle.

Stiller also employs both his Dad and wife in the film - must save on casting fees! Dad Jerry famous as George's Dad on 'Seinfeld' plays essentially the same role here as Mauri the head of
Balls models. Stiller's wife Christine Taylor plays the love interest reporter who gets slagged off for her cheap fashion "Actually this is the Cheryl Ladd collection at JC Penny and I got it on sale!" She does OK in a pedestrian part and does have a good orgy sequence involving Finnish dwarfs!

Mention must also be made of Jon Voight who plays Zoolander's Dad. Still working the mine he can't pretend to like his son as "I'm not an international Film and TV actor!" He only has a few scenes but always gets a laugh. Milla Jovovich shows up as Mugatu's evil hench lady but again she doesn't get too much to do.

The finale is excellent as Hansel and an evil DJ fight over the decks as Derek struts his stuff. Like the emperor's new clothes Derek is undone when it's noted that all his looks such as Ferrari, Blue Steel and La Tigra are all the same, but he has been working on Magnum for some time! The laughs are frequent and loud but not nasty. Fashion and models are lampooned but in an affectionate way. Mugatus new campaign 'Derelicte' is based on crack whores and I'm sure some real designers were taking notes!

"They're Break Dance Fighting!"

I have the American Region One DVD of this film and it's a beaut. The UK Region 2 is slated for release on 02/06/2002 and if the extras are the same you are in for a treat. Derek himself welcomes you and explains what each of the options are. He lets you know that 'Play' is to play the film not that it's a play of course.

The extra features are legion and possibly the most I've seen on a single disc. The usual commentaries are included featuring Stiller himself. Better still are the deleted scenes, each of which can be accompanied by Stiller's comments. My favourite was Moby's comment on the Derek/Hansel rivalry which he likened to the Wang Chung / Bananarama rivalry of the 80's.
<
br>There are also extended scenes and outtakes as well as two VH1 Fashion award sketches that introduced us to Zoolander. These are pretty good although some of the gags resurface in the film. You also get a shed load of trailers and TV ads as well as a photo gallery and alternate title sequence. You can tell Stiller put a lot into the film, as he's spared no effort with the DVD.

A really fun film released on a superior disc. Don't be put off by the potentially off putting subject matter, I don't know my cords from my stay pressed and I loved it!

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