Derek Zoolander is back and now that Zoolander 2 is out on DVD and Blu-Ray, it’s a chance to see if the male model has grown one iota. Of course, for any of us who adore the 2001 insta-classic that is Zoolander, we know better than to expect growth from our favorite fictional male model. But, we wouldn’t mind if the laugh meter turned a little higher… if that’s even possible. We know one thing, there will be a few Blue Steels sported and a few Magnums as well in The Magnum Edition that The Movie Mensch got to review.
We catch up with Derek after a decade-and-a-half and things aren’t going so well. He has “retired” and his son was taken from him years ago after his wife perished in an architectural accident at the Derek Zoolander Center for Kids Who Can’t Read Good And Wanna Learn To Do Other Stuff Good Too. Seems that the demands that Derek put on the place, looks-wise, were horrible from a safety standpoint and it cost him his wife (and of course the building itself as it collapsed to the ground in spectacular manner.
He has sense become a recluse and left the world of male modeling behind. So too has Owen Wilson’s Hansel, who has traded runways in for a more zenful life of spirituality.
When beautiful people start dying all over the globe (like Justin Bieber) and their last moment is all the same – they all sport the Blue Steel – international authorities feel that there is something connected and that Zoolander can help them.
He must come out of retirement and with Penelope Cruz’s Valentina Valencia (an agent from Interpol’s Fashion Division) they hope that the senseless death of beautiful people can be stopped and the culprit brought to justice.
Also back for this go-around is the villain from the last film, Will Ferrell’s Mugatu, who we meet in prison (but might not stay there for long… as seen in this Zoolander 2 trailer), as well as cameos from a slew of super celebs, including a who’s-who of the fashion world.
As we reported in our theatrical Zoolander 2 review, the film is not nearly as funny as the first film… as many comedy sequels are not. In fact, it’s pacing is off significantly off. But, the jokes that land are truly hilarious and it’s great to visit with old friends once again, delivering similar humor-laced silliness that somehow has managed to stand the test of time.
The film also stars Kristen Wiig in an almost-unrecognizable role.
What’s so special about the Blu-Ray release of a film like this is the bonus features of a comedy from the minds of Stiller and screenwriter (and co-star) Justin Theroux) can be even funnier than the film itself. That is so the case with the Zoolander 2 Blu-Ray.
The Zoolander Legacy is a fantastic look at the 15-year journey it took to bring the sequel to life. The members of the cast reflect on why the timing was right to return to the series and how the sequel was finally able to see the light of day. For fans of the first film, this is a delightful addition.
An intriguing bonus feature is Drake Sather: The Man Who Created Zoolander. This eight-minute featurette pays tribute to comedian Drake Sather, who unfortunately has passed away. It was Sather who came up with the character of Zoolander for Stiller and the man who plays him on the big screen (now for a second time) is clearly deeply in awe and in dept to his departed friend and his wild sense of humor. Again, for fans of all-things Zoolander, it’s a terrific look at the origins of one of comedy’s great characters.
One of our favorite bonus features features Wiig’s Alexanya Atoz as she introduces the world to her latest beauty project, “Youth Milk.”
Go Big or Go Rome is also a terrific addition and looks at how this fashion satire filmed many of their scenes in one of the most fashionable cities in the world and how the locale was up for being lampooned in the second in the Zoolander series that is also in many ways a love letter to fashion itself.
To make things truly complete, the home video release for Zoolander 2 features a digital copy of Zoolander!
Film: D
Bonus Features: B-