Zoolander (PG-13, 2001)

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 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.

ZOOLANDER delights with silly jokes that you can't help but giggle at, and teens will finds lots to enjoy. 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 as a conspiracy-theory devotee and long-time hand model, and Will Farrell as the ridiculous villain 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.

Studio: Paramount Pictures
Director: Ben Stiller
Cast: Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Will Ferrell
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 89 minutes
Theatrical release: February 2, 2001
DVD release: March 12, 2002
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: sexual situations, comic violence