Zoolander (2001)

Another incredible piece of work by Ben Stiller...he not only directs but STARS in this one as well. The plot: At the end of his career, a clueless fashion model is brainwashed to kill the Prime Minister of Malaysia. Reading that, there's no way in hell I'd rent this one. So, do let me enlighten you with further details about this cinematic masterpiece...by the time I'm through, you'll be reaching for your car keys and heading to Blockbuster.

By this point in time, we're all well aware that not ALL models are stupid, but we're also aware that they DO have a reputation of getting by on their looks throughout their lives and because of that, the potential exists for them to be somewhat...lacking...in intelligence because they've never been forced to develop any skills. That being said, let's begin at the VH1-Vogue Fashion Awards. Derek Zoolander (Ben Stiller) has won Best Male Model for a few years running and is contention yet again. He's famous for his 'looks'...Blue Steel, El Tigre, and his top secret 'look' in progress, Magnum. Up against him in the Best Male Model category is young, up and coming model Hansel (Owen Wilson)...the new kid on the block with a freewheeling style (and Razor scooter to match) that threatens to usurp Derek's throne. When the winner is announced, Derek automatically leaves his seat and dashes up onstage to accept the award...when the audience greets him with derisive laughter, he casts a glance behind him at the giant wall projection screen to see that he is NOT the winner...Hansel is.

Derek flees the scene, horrified and questioning whether there is more to life than being 'really, really ridiculously good looking'. He's interviewed by Matilda Jeffries (Christine Taylor, and Ben's real life spouse) for a Time magazine article, which he thinks will be good for his career and all about being a ridiculously good looking male model. When he journeys out the next day with his model roomates, Todd (Nathan Lee Graham), Brint (Alexandre Manning) and Rufus (Asio Highsmith) they stop for gas...and a water fight turns into a gasoline fight while Wham's Wake Me Up Before You GoGo plays in the background. Derek spots a man in the distance reading the issue of Time with him on the cover...and he's spared from the firey explosion caused by Rufus lighting his cigarette only because he pulls the magazine from the trash to read the headline "Derek Zoolander...A Model Idiot?".

Jerry Stiller (Ben's father) plays his agent, Maury Ballstein, owner of Balls Models. He's working with Mugatu (Will Farell...and his performance alone is worth seeing this one!), a fashion designer, plotting to have a model kill the prime minister of Malaysia because he's ending child labor in his country and increasing manufacturing costs for all the design houses. Derek is their first choice, as he's older and pretty darn close to being a washed-up has been. After losing his friends, Derek tells Maury he's quitting the business and going home to work with his father (Jon Voight) and his brothers (Vince Vaughn is one) in the coal mines.

Of course, that lasts all of a day and Derek heads home...and is promptly dragged to an assassin training camp disguised as a day spa by Mugatu's henchwoman, Katinka (Milla Jovovich). Mugatu has always denied Derek the opportunity to work with him, and convinces him to come back to the business by chosing him to head his Derelicte campaign and the spa is part of his 'preparation'.

Matilda has also been researching Mugatu and is attempting to interview him about his reluctance to support child labor laws...and discovers that something fishy is going on. David Duchovny stars as JP Pruitt, world's greatest hand model and conspiracy theorist...Matilda convinces Derek he is in danger and together they meet JP, who reveals that all assassinations throughout history have been related to the fashion underworld and carried out by male models past their prime. Derek is forced to make nice with Hansel, and they strategize as a group how to stop Derek from killing the Prime Minister at Mugatu's Derelicte show (of which Derek is the top model).

Okay, that sounds ridiculous...but good lord, it's HILARIOUS. Some favorite scenes include the model Walk Off between Derek and Hansel (who pulls his undies out of his ass to win), the dirt room scene and ensuing orgy with Matilda...and much more. This one was also panned by some critics, and I think some folks just don't 'get' the humor. I'm sure you're not one of them...hope you enjoy it as much as I did!