Zoolander Essay

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Zoolander: An Analysis of the Comic Effect Zoolander, a 2001 comedic film with world renowned comedians such as Ben Stiller, Will Ferrell, and Owen Wilson fully embodies what has been discussed in class this past semester. Based in the highly dramatized and materialistic fashion industry, the main character, Derek Zoolander (Ben Stiller), is an employee of Balls Models, a male modeling agency. The dim-witted, good looking, yet good natured Zoolander is ousted out the male modeling agency by his rival male model, Hansel (Owen Wilson). His reputation is tarnished even more when a reporter, Matilda Jeffries (Christine Taylor) writes a critical article on his downfall in the modeling industry. Zoolander decides to flee the male modeling business in hopes of starting a new life. Meanwhile, a fashion agency ruled by the fashion mogul, Mugatu (Will Ferrel), is plotting to find a male model that is capable of assassinating the Prime Minister of Mylasia in hopes of ending fair labor acts that make manufacturing clothes more costly. Zoolander is then taken on a journey that exposes the comedic undertones of the modeling world and gives light to the materialistic, gaudy, dramatic, feminine, but mostly ridiculous aspects of being a male model. In the film, Zoolander, the main character, is considered to be the comic hero of the story and portrays makes light of the liberation effect in many ways. Mugatu, essentially the villain of the film, tries to brain wash Zoolander by playing the 80s hit by Frankie Goes to Hollywood, “Relax, Don’t Do It” and bombarding him with images alluding to the assassination of the Prime Minister of Mylasia. Having faith in the stupidity and spinelessness of Zoolander’s male model personality, Mugatu hopes to trigger the song during a future fashion show, which will lead to Zoolander to be subliminally taken over and forced to kill the Prime

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