Film Review: Zoolander 2

Zoolander 2

Male model Derek has spent years in exile following the decline of his career and a tragedy. When he and Hansel are invited to model in Rome, they see it as their comeback. Not all, however, have the same idea in mind…

A long-delayed sequel to the 2001 comedy Zoolander, the film attempts to capture the same tone as its predecessor. In this regard, the Zoolander 2 is successful. Nevertheless, the film does not reach the comedy highs of the original, with many of the jokes falling flat. It is a shame, as the original is seen with so much affection.

Ben Stiller directs, co-writes and stars in Zoolander 2. The film reunites the main characters from the first film, whilst also relying on the same brand of humour. The problem with this sequel is that the comedy is not as funny the second time around. The jokes are not as solid as they were in the original, disappointing viewers looking for plenty of laughs. There are a few decent moments, such as the parodying of the use of social media and hipster culture, but overall the film simply needed to be funnier than it is.

The narrative of Zoolander 2 revolves loosely around the murder of some well-known stars and Derek’s journey to win back his son. The plot is a silly one, but this would not have mattered if the jokes had hit the mark. The film is brimming with celebrity cameos. There are so many, in fact, that it is easy to miss some of them. Stiller and Owen Wilson still have good chemistry after all these years. Kristen Wiig is great in a completely over the top role, and Will Ferrell seems to be having fun reprising his role from the original.

Zoolander 2 has a similar feeling to Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues; a delayed sequel of a much-loved comedy that does not live up to expectations.

Film Review: Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues

Anchorman 2 The Legend Continues

A belated follow-up to the much-loved Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues is an entertaining affair, even though it does not match the laughs of the original.

It’s the 1980s, and Ron Burgundy is a successful news anchor with his wife Veronica Corningstone. When Ron is asked to front the first 24-hour news channel, he sets about assembling his old team…

The fact that director Adam McKay and the main cast have returned for the sequel gives Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues a sense of credibility that other sequels lack. Some aspects of the film work well, whilst others fall flat.

The narrative of Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues feels a bit slack. The film’s central premise of the 24-hour news channel is a good one; there are numerous jokes surrounding this. The film does meander a bit, producing good scenes as well as duds.

Just shy of two hours, Anchorman 2 is rather long for a comedy. The second half of the film feels a little bloated, although Anchorman 2 recovers from this.

The humour in McKay’s film does work for the most part. The jokes are frequent, although perhaps not as funny as the writers think. Jokes or situations that were memorable from the first film are slightly overplayed in an attempt to replicate the humour.

The camaraderie between Will Ferrell and the rest of the main cast is evident, with Steve Carell and Paul Rudd reprises their roles well. There is an overload of celebrity cameos in one particular scene, but other than this the new additions to the cast do a decent job.

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues will certainly attract fans of the first film. The sequel will also satisfy to a certain extent. Anchorman 2 does not manage to replicate the humour of the first, although it gives a good effort.

Stuff To Look At

A brand new clip from The Wolf of Wall Street, Muppets Most Wanted and plenty more…

The Wolf of Wall Street

After the excitement for the trailer, here is a new clip from The Wolf of Wall Street. Jonah Hill’s character looks like he could be a lot of fun. Based on Jordan Belfort’s memoirs, The Wolf of Wall Street is out in UK cinemas on 17th January 2013.

Muppets Most Wanted

Muppets Most Wanted poster

Following the release of the trailer, here is the poster for Muppets Most Wanted. The film has a lot to live up to, after the success of The Muppets. Muppets Most Wanted is set for release on 28th March 2014.

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues

Here is a clip from the upcoming sequel Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues. Will Ferrell and his co-stars have done a lot of publicity for the movie, and there is a weight of expectation given that the original has become such a favourite. Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues hits UK screens on 18th December 2013.

American Hustle

AMERICAN HUSTLE poster

This poster is just everything. The Hair. The Costumes. The Hair. With an all-star cast, American Hustle is released in the West End on 20th December 2013 and in the rest of the UK on 1st January 2014.

Robocop

I watched the director’s cut of the original Robocop again recently and it really does hold up well (bar a few dated special effects). What this remake has going for it is an impressive cast (Gary Oldman, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Keaton). RoboCop is released in UK cinemas on 7th February 2014.

X-Men: Days of Future Past

X-Men: Days of

After the fantastic posters, here is a new image of Michael Fassbender from X-Men: Days of Future Past. The film blends its predecessor with the previous series of X-Men films, by the casting at least. X-Men: Days of Future Past is scheduled for a May 2014 release.

Maleficent

This teaser trailer for Disney’s Maleficent reveals little bar the title character. After the success of the musical Wicked and Oz The Great and Powerful, there seems to be a trend for revisiting fairy tales to show the other side. Maleficent is due for release in the UK in Spring 2014.

Stuff To Look At

Plenty of cinematic delights, including the latest trailer for Captain America: The Winter Soldier, a clip from The Book Thief and more…

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Here is the latest trailer for Captain America: The Winter Solider. The film sees the return of Chris Evans in the title role, plus Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury and Scarlett Johansson as the Black Widow. Captain America: The Winter Soldier is due for UK release on 28th March 2014.

The Book Thief

Based on the best-selling book by Markus Zusak, The Book Thief stars Geoffrey Rush and Emily Watson. The above clip is from the story, which is set during World War II. The Book Thief is released on 31st January 2014.

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues

Anchorman 2 poster

Following the release of the latest trailer for Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues, here is the new poster for the film. The film seems to be pushing the 1980s setting, which is never a bad thing. Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues hits UK screens on 20th December 2013.

Non-Stop

Thriller Non-Stop stars Liam Neeson as an Air Marshall in a very perilous position. The trailer reads like Speed on a plane. Non-Stop is due for release on 28th February 2014.

American Hustler

Christian Bale is barely recognisable in American Hustler. It’s like the 1970s threw up all over David O. Russell’s film. Also starring Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner and Jennifer Lawrence, American Hustler hits screens on 20th December in the West End and 3rd January 2014 nationwide.

The Butler

Lee Daniels’ The Butler is just brimming with stars. Led by Forest Whitaker, the film also stars Oprah Winfrey, John Cusack, Mariah Carey and many others. The Butler is released in the UK on 15th November 2013.

Stuff To Look At

A profusion of film-related goodness, including clips from Runner Runner and The Counsellor, trailers for Saving Mr Banks and The Monuments Men, and Loki…

Runner Runner

New Batman Ben Affleck shows a dark side in the above clip from upcoming crime thriller Runner Runner. This is why crocodiles are a bad idea generally. Runner Runner hits UK screens on 27th September 2013.

Nebraska

Nebraska is director Alexander Payne’s latest. Starring Bruce Dern and Will Forte, Nebraska is a father and son road movie. The film is being screened at the BFI London Film Festival in October and is on general release from 6th December 2013.

The Railway Man

Here is the trailer for period drama The Railway Man. Starring Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman, the film is based on Eric Lomax’s memoirs. The Railway Man is released in the UK on 3rd January 2013.

We Are What We Are

We Are What We Are is a remake of the 2010 Mexican film of the same name. It has one of those settings that feel disconcerting. We Are What We Are is out in cinemas on 25th October 2013.

The Monuments Men

The Monuments Men reunites George Clooney and Matt Damon as members of a World War II platoon tasked with rescuing masterpieces from Nazi thieves. The film also stars Bill Murray and Cate Blanchett. The Monuments Men is due for release on 9th January 2014.

Thor The Dark World

Thor The Dark World Loki

Loki! Let’s just be honest; he is the real reason everyone wants to see Thor The Dark World. That look on Loki’s face – so determined. Sequel Thor The Dark World is released in UK cinemas on 30th October 2013.

The Counsellor

The hair in the above clip is something else. In fact, Javier Bardem’s whole look is something else. With an all-star cast including Michael Fassbender, Cameron Diaz and Brad Pitt, The Counsellor hits UK screens on 15th November 2013.

Ender’s Game

Ender’s Game is based on the best-selling novel of the same name. Starring Harrison Ford and Ben Kingsley, the film is set in a dystopian future. Ender’s Game is released on 25th October 2013 and there’s a trip to NASA to be won here.

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues

The sequel everyone has been waiting for! Above is San Diego’s finest newsman Ron Burgundy delivering the news on the Goodwood revival. Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues hits UK screens on 20th December 2013. What a Christmas treat.

Saving Mr Banks

Here is the first trailer for Saving Mr Banks. The film tells the story of how Walt Disney brought Mary Poppins to the big screen. Saving Mr Banks is closing the London Film Festival on 20th October 2013 and is out on general release on 29th November 2013.

RoboCop

Nothing is going to match the perfection of the director’s cut of 1987’s  RoboCop. Nothing. However this new version features Michael Keaton, so it gets plus points for this alone. RoboCop is due for release on 7th February 2014.

Mandela Long Walk To Freedom

Idris Elba and Naomie Harris star in biopic Mandela Long Walk To Freedom. The film is released on 3rd January 2013; ripe for awards season. Let’s see how it fares.