Zoolander - PG-13

A surprisingly entertaining movie, but edgy.

Rating: PG-13 for sexual situations, comic violence Studio: Paramount Pictures Directed By: Ben Stiller Cast: Will Ferrell, Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Christine Taylor Running Time: 89 minutes Release Date: 02/02/2001 Genre: Comedy

Common Sense Note

Parents should know that there's an orgy between the three main characters and other assorted visitors and brief glimpses of skin, though nothing explicit. One main character talks about having an eating disorder, and others respond as if it's a good thing. Though played for laughs, the main characters are threatened with death several times. Themes of slave labor.

Families who watch this movie may want to talk about some of its more serious themes, like bulimia, literacy, and sweatshop labor. Do they like seeing serious subjects brought up in silly movies?

Rate It!

Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Heather Boerner

Call it the Department of Funny (Runway) Walks for the 8th & Ocean set. ZOOLANDER isn't nearly as witty as Monty Python but it delights just as much in silly jokes that you can't help but giggle at. Teens will finds lots to enjoy.

When a new Malaysian prime minister promises to raise the minimum wage for his country's workers, cabals of fashion industry insiders know there's only one choice: Kill the prime minister -- and use a male model to do it. "We need a beautiful, self-absorbed simpleton who can be manipulated and molded, like Jell-o," intones a woman veiled by shadow. Enter Derek Zoolander (Ben Stiller), a veteran male model who spends a week at a day spa (which he helpfully spells out as "daiye"), who names his looks (blue steel, le tigre, etc.) but manages to look the same doing all of them, and who always wanted to make a living "being really, really, really, ridiculously good-looking."

When he loses a prestigious fashion award to up-and-comer Hansel (Owen Wilson), and his three best model friends die after having a gasoline fight (don't ask), Derek quits, only to come back to international espionage, an orgy, and a date with destiny.

If you think it sounds dumb, it is. But it's a good dumb, like Austin Powers: Man of Mystery or Dodgeball. Watch it for the scene where Derek and Hansel do street battle, male model-style, with a runway. There's also some inspired casting: David Duchovny playing the conspiracy-theory devotee and long-time hand model J.P. Pruwitt? Come on. You can practically hear the X Files music in the background. Will Farrell plays a fabulous and ridiculous villain as Mugatu, the designer of the Derelicte look. There are pop cultural references galore, cameos from everyone from the ubiquitous Paris Hilton to Donatella Versace to David Bowie. Many of the references are to 80s pop culture and may fly over the heads of teens. There are also product placements galore.

In the end, just sit back and watch the pretty people act stupid, and you'll have a great time. After all, as Michael Kors would say on Project Runway, "Lighten up, it's just fashion."

Rate It!

Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content The audience sees glimpses of and hears discussion about an orgy.
Violence Characters are killed in a comic manner and the plot involves a political assasination.
Language Some light cursing.
Message
	Social Behavior Some competition, but generally the characters learn to work together to stop a dangerous plot.
	Commercialism Many products are visible throughout the film.
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco Characters talk about doing ilicit drugs and an orgy is preceeded by heavy drinking.