Zoolander

REVIEW
There is something intangible about the fashion industry that is so inherently funny, that parodies seem doomed to fail. And when such great personalities in the industry exist (see: Isaac Mizrahi in the fun documentary Unzipped), why bother making one up? Stiller tries, starring as supermodel Derek Zoolander, in a film that might have played better as a five-minute skit on his old TV show. Derek has one look on the runway, a half-pout he dubs "blue steel" (which may be the only effective joke). The rest of the picture is a (heterosexual!) love triangle between Derek, a reporter (Stiller's wife Taylor) and up-and-coming supermodel Hansel (Wilson); oh yes, there's also a plot to assassinate the prime minister of Malaysia -- is that supposed to be funny? The biggest comic revelation is that models are idiots, while director Stiller uses more establishing shots than a '70s sitcom. Now, a film about Mr. Blackwell and his worst-dressed list? That would be funny...