Zoolander 2: Fashionably bland sequel

I WAS really looking forward to the return of Zoolander and Hansel. The original Zoolander has impacted my life as a fashion fan and the way I look at comedy.

Though 15 years has passed since I watched the first Zoolander, the jokes,the quotable quotes and the silly narcissistic characters are still fresh in my mind.

I wish I can say that Zoolander 2 is as memorable; unfortunately, it has failed to impress me.

Aside from the listless numbers of good clothes -- there are not much to shout about this time, except for the grand rock star cameos by fashion guru Anna Wintour and designers Valentino, Alexander and Vera Wang, and even supermodel Kate Moss -- nothing else is memorable.

Kudos to these stars --- an amazing bunch who have agreed to appear on this film especially people like Kiefer Sutherland.

The first movie in 2001 felt right and found its balance in which moviegoers were enticed to laugh, not just at Derek and Hansel, but mostly with the satire of the fashion world incarnated by Jacombi Mugatu, a fashion mogul played by Will Ferrell.

Fifteen years on, Mugatu is still as funny and Ben Stiller shines as the self-absorbed Derek Zoolander while Owen Wilson remains as the people-loving narcissist.

I do not have high expectations on sequels, only because customarily, sequels are close to being worst than the original.When Zoolander 2 opens with pop star Justin Bieber being assassinated by a group of masked men on bikes, my heart began to race with sheer hopes that I could be wrong.

But the fun and laughter only lasted for a while. From second half of the movie, it is all mediocrity all the way to the finishing end. From laughter to a smile to the occasional face twitch and that’s about it. Period.

Zoolander 2 tells the story of ‘have been’ models Derek Zoolander played by Ben Stiller and Hansel played by Owen Wilson, who are lured into modelling (yet again) after living in isolation for more than a decade.

This time, Zoolander and Derek are sent to Rome where they find themselves the target of an ominous conspiracy.

Fashion Interpol’s special agent Valentina Valencia played by the sultry Penelope Cruz after her investigation found that the expressions of assassinated pop singers' last images namely Bieber, Madonna and Demi Lovato, Miley Cyrus, Usher and Lenny Kravitz —show they match Derek Zoolander's trademark look, "Blue Steel".

Together, they are on a mission to help the pop stars from being assassinated.

Cast: Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Will Ferrel, Penelope Cruz

Directed and written by: Ben Stiller

Release date: 3 March 2016 (UIP)

Watch the Zoolander 2 trailer here: