Do you want to see ‘Zoolander’?

Zoolander (2001)

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Average Rating: 5.9/10
Reviews Counted: 130
Fresh: 83 | Rotten: 47

A wacky satire on the fashion industry, Zoolander is one of those deliberately dumb comedies that actually delivers laughs, thanks in part to the goofy energy that Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, and Will Ferrell bring to the material.

Average Rating: 6.1/10
Critic Reviews: 29
Fresh: 19 | Rotten: 10

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Movie Info

Comic actor Ben Stiller co-wrote, directed, and stars in this spoof of the fashion industry that began as a short skit for the 1996 VH1 Fashion Awards. Stiller is Derek Zoolander, an intellectually challenged but bone structure-blessed male model who's despondent after being eclipsed in popularity by an equally vacuous rival, Hansel (Owen Wilson). Upon his reluctant retirement, Derek is invited to a day spa by previously standoffish fashion designer Jacobim Mugatu (Will Ferrell), where the

PG-13, 1 hr. 29 min.

Comedy

Directed By: Ben Stiller

Written By: John Hamburg, Drake Sather

In Theaters: Sep 28, 2001 Limited

On DVD: Mar 12, 2002

Box Office:$44.7M

Paramount Pictures

This light silly and fluffy satire of the fashion industry targets for a change not the female but male models.

July 12, 2006 Full Review Source: Variety

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Emanuel Levy

Variety

Top Critic

If you're aware of -- and amused by -- pop culture, you'll laugh a lot.

June 19, 2002 Full Review Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution

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Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Top Critic

Doesn't Stiller realize that the fashion world is already its own parody?

January 22, 2002 Full Review Source: New York Magazine

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Peter Rainer

New York Magazine

Top Critic

Serves as glossy, throwaway fun, and it features more cameos than you can shake a mascara wand at.

October 12, 2001 Full Review Source: Salon.com

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Stephanie Zacharek

Salon.com

Top Critic

During its fleeting moments onscreen, the movie's lighthearted spirit and comic energy make for entertaining, escapist fare.

October 4, 2001 Comment

Kirk Honeycutt

Hollywood Reporter

Top Critic

An oasis of bracing comedy that comes at just the right time, when we're parched for it.

October 3, 2001 Comment

Peter Travers

Rolling Stone

Top Critic

A surprisingly entertaining movie, but edgy.

December 18, 2010 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media

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Heather Boerner

Common Sense Media

Ben Stiller often forgoes go-for-broke comedy for the sake of getting rich. Not so in "Zoolander," which is not only Cuba Gooding Jr. and Billy Zane's best work of the last decade, but what remains Stiller's flat-out funniest film - down to the DVD menu.

December 18, 2010 Full Review Source: Suite101.com

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Nick Rogers

Suite101.com

A fashion spoof draped over the bones of a puerile conspiracy adventure, this vanity comedy fails at every level barring its incidental details.

October 18, 2008 Full Review Source: Time Out

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Wally Hammond

Time Out

It's patchy, but when it hits, Zoolander is as funny as any Frat Pack picture.

August 14, 2008 Full Review Source: Film4

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Film4

At times Zoolander threatens to disappear up its own catwalk, but it's often very funny stuff.

December 30, 2006 Full Review Source: Empire Magazine

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Empire Magazine

It's no Meet the Parents, but if you like Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson's brand of offbeat humor, Zoolander should be right up your fashion runway.

September 1, 2006 Comment

Betsy Bozdech

Reel.com

A success -- if you like dumb fun.

December 6, 2005 Full Review Source: Film Threat

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Chris Gore

Film Threat

Stiller ... is able to demonstrate contempt for the folly of the Industry of Image even as he shows affection for the people that are in it.

December 6, 2004 Full Review Source: Looking Closer

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Jeffrey Overstreet

Looking Closer

Some funny moments, but misses a chance to really skewer its subject.

December 30, 2003 Full Review Source: Three Movie Buffs

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Scott Nash

Three Movie Buffs

I have two words for "Zoolander": Stoo Pid!

August 29, 2003 Full Review Source: Zap2it.com

| Comments (2)

Michael Szymanski

Zap2it.com

Where did the wit go? Where did the cleverness behind the laughter go? Gaylord Focker, help us! Mr. Furious, SAVE US!

March 19, 2003 Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com

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Brian Mckay

eFilmCritic.com

The film is dumb and generally unfunny, but it has its moments.

February 8, 2003 Full Review Source: Film Quips Online

| Comment (1)

John R. McEwen

Film Quips Online

It's undeniably stupid, admittedly, but also a lot of fun. Recommended.

October 30, 2002 Full Review Source: ViewLondon

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Matthew Turner

ViewLondon

It is a treat to laugh out loud at the movie's deceptively simple-minded goofiness.

October 15, 2002 Full Review Source: Cincinnati Enquirer

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Margaret A. McGurk

Cincinnati Enquirer

Less than halfway though I was checking my watch in boredom and wondering how if there was much more to go.

September 10, 2002 Full Review Source: Montreal Film Journal

| Comments (10)

Kevin N. Laforest

Montreal Film Journal

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Zoolander

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if you work in an office some movies are mandatory to survive trips to the watercooler. I see this as an investment in my future.

March 25, 2007

Bob Stinson

Super Reviewer

Zoolander is a well executed, extremely stupid and very funny satire film. It pokes fun at the fashion industry bringing a lot of memorable moments of humour and wit unlike most Ben Stiller comedies. A better cast could not have been picked.

October 28, 2011

Directors Cat

Super Reviewer

Zoolander Quotes

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1. Matilda: I'm bulimic.
2. Derek Zoolander: ... You mean you can read minds?
– Submitted by Anthony B (3 months ago)
1. Derek Zoolander: Eugoogiligist: A person who delivers eugoogiligies.
– Submitted by Anthony B (3 months ago)
1. Derek Zoolander: Moisture is the essence of wetness.
– Submitted by Anthony B (3 months ago)
1. Hansel: One of my heroes I guess would be Sting. I mean, I don't listen to any of his music, but I really respect that he's making it.
– Submitted by Anthony B (3 months ago)
1. Derek Zoolander: What is this? A center for ants?
– Submitted by Anthony B (3 months ago)