 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Zoolander
- Review Date: June 20, 2006
- PG-13
- Genre: Comedy
- 2001
Common Sense Media says
A surprisingly entertaining movie, but edgy.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to 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.
What's the story?
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.
Is it any good?
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.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can 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?
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Kid, 12 years old
March 5, 2009
AGE
You could definitely do better!
While this movie is pretty funny, it borders on ridiculous. I love Ben Stiller, but this is not the kind of movie you can watch over and over. The jokes get stale, and the total absurdity of it all gets kind of boring. The plot is pretty boring, and while it's a really fun sleepover movie, don't pay too much to see it.
Mildly crude humor, but generally ok.
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Parent
February 10, 2011
AGE
Babysitting Disaster Averted!
I loved this movie last summer, and so did my 12 yo bro, so I wanted to bring it to a house I babysit for that has 2 preteen girls that watch all that twilight and other "trashy" shows. I went on this site (thanks guys!) and saw it was rated iffy for 14! I thought that was crazy, but I made myself watch it again. While it's hilarious for a college kid like me or perhaps an older teen, it has some words, references to drugs and sex, and other very inappropriate themes that I refused to bring into the home of the girls I'm a role model for, even if they have seen worse. So go ahead and watch it if you're 15 or so and want a laugh, but this movie is not for children!
What other families should know:
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Teen, 14 years old
June 7, 2009
AGE
A Good Movie
I love this film! A very good movie to see. I don't think this is a particularly "bad" film for kids to watch, I think they would enjoy it - I certainly did! :)
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Teen, 13 years old
September 11, 2010
AGE
teens
NICE!! Ben and Owen are some combo!! they were meant to be friends :) LOL movie!!
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Kid, 7 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
Zoolander
I think it's a bommer watching it.
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Parent of 11 year old
January 8, 2010
AGE
Hilarious
This movie was hilarious!!
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Adult
June 1, 2010
AGE
Sure this movie is funny, for ADULTS. The sexual content is way to much for children and even most teens. There's drinking and drug use. People die, even though it's done in a 'comic' manner, children still shouldn't be exposed to that.
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| Studio: | Paramount Pictures |
| Director: | Ben Stiller |
| Cast: | Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Will Ferrell |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 89 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | February 2, 2001 |
| DVD release date: | March 12, 2002 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | sexual situations, comic violence |
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