Story
Zoolander 2 is the sequel to Zoolander (2001). It features Derek Zoolander (Ben Stiller), a quirky supermodel who became famous when he stopped a flying knife with his signature ‘look’. This movie is set 15 years later, when Derek’s life has taken a turn for the worse. The school he set up for ‘Kids who can’t read good’ collapsed, killing his wife as well as injuring his old best friend Hansel (Owen Wilson). The two friends have not spoken in many years as a result of the incident.
When Derek gets frustrated with his son one day while they’re cooking, the media photographs the event and Child Protective Services are called to remove the boy from Derek’s care. Feeling lost and directionless, Derek is approached by Billy Zane (playing himself) to attend an upcoming fashion show. The world’s most beautiful people are being systematically killed somehow, and the dead have had Derek’s old ‘blue steel’ look on their faces. Derek and his old friend Hansel are asked to infiltrate the new world of fashion in order to defeat a mastermind named Mugatu (Will Ferrell).
Themes
Violence
Zoolander 2 has some violence. For example:
- A man is stabbed in the cheek after someone throws a knife across the room. Someone else is stabbed in the thigh with the same knife. Both scenes show blood and are a bit graphic, but both scenes are also meant to be funny.
- A character is shot. The scene shows blood, and the character later dies from the wound. This isn’t presented graphically.
- A man scales the side of an alley wall to knock a gunman off a motorcycle.
- A character seeking revenge on a large group of people plots to blow up an event.
- A man is hit repeatedly in the face with various objects like bottles. There are no wounds shown, and the scene is meant to be funny.
Content that may disturb children
Under 5
Children in this age group will be scared by the violent scenes in Zoolander 2, described above.
From 5-8
Children in this age group will be scared by the violent scenes described above.
From 8-13
Children in this age group will be scared by the violent scenes described above.
Over 13
Some younger children in this age group might be scared by the violent scenes described above.
Sexual references
Zoolander 2 has a lot of sexual references and crude humour. For example:
- People refer to male and female genitals as ‘hotdogs and buns’.
- Men say that a particular female character is ‘hot’, and they appear to be aroused.
- There are many jokes about breast size.
- There are many references to group sex.
- A man tells a child about a sexual experience he had with a woman.
Alcohol, drugs and other substances
Zoolander 2 shows a lot of social drinking.
Nudity and sexual activity
Zoolander 2 has some nudity and sexual activity. For example:
- Many women dress in provocative clothing that shows their legs and buttocks.
- A woman asks a man to touch her breast, and the scene shows him touching it.
Product placement
The following products are displayed or used in Zoolander 2: Facebook, Instagram, Netflix, Samsung products and Uber.
Coarse language
There is some use of coarse language in Zoolander 2.
Ideas to discuss with your children
Zoolander 2 is a comedy about the importance of friendship. Although the relationship between Derek and Hansel is tumultuous at times, they’re like brothers and can ultimately always rely on each other.
The movie also shows that you can overcome obstacles with enough drive and determination, and that people with good intentions can make a positive difference in the world.
Zoolander 2 is rated M and is aimed at an adult audience. Because of its violence, sexual references, crude humour and coarse language, we don’t recommend this movie for children under 14 years.