**Spoilers**
Was it as good as the first one? No.
Are there more cameos than Man or God ever intended? Definitely
Is it the worst pile of shit I've ever watched? Far from it.
Honestly, I think this movie gets a bad rap. Now, now, put away your ripened tomatoes and pitchforks I can explain. I'll even do it from the stocks if it makes you more comfortable. Better? Better.
From the 24% rating this film has on Rotten Tomatoes I was expecting Batman v Superman levels of awful. I expected to come out of this movie feeling something akin to what I felt leaving the cinema at 3am one March night. But I didn't at all. I actually kind of enjoyed this thing.
Vip was creepy, All was uncomfortable, and the Sting reveal was obvious as hell - but they were supposed to be. This movie is silly and stupid and it revels in it. Many of the jokes are a little predictable - many of these characters are purposefully two dimensional so it makes sense that the punchlines are too - But more of them made me genuinely laugh out loud. One thing I did note was that even though a ton of the better jokes were wasted in the trailer they often went further. Remember, the selfie stick car scene? That went somewhere and I'm very glad it did.
Hansel's arc was about his committed relationship to his orgy and how he's reconciling their collective pregnancy with his feelings of abandonment by his father. Emotional scenes between the man and his orgy are usually acted out between Hansel and Kiefer Sutherland. It's dumb as hell and it charmed my little heart out.
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| Plus it gave us Gimp Ariana Grande |
Zoolander's arc was also family themed - his son was taken away from him in 2006 because he was clearly an unfit parent. Derek also feels responsible for getting his wife killed. He finds him in 2016 and struggles to see past Derek Jr's weight. Over the film Derek will begin to see past this and lo and behold character growth. The family theme played out here is charming but cliche. Nothing special.
What is special - Mugatu. Near the one hour mark Mugatu reveals himself. I'm not sure I have the vocabulary to convey just how into Mugatu in this movie I am. Will Ferrel's performance is over the top, ridiculous and captivating. There is one scene where he makes out with a certain female and they just start screaming into each others mouths. It sounds... different. But it fits so well.
He wears devil horns for no reason. He screams at a child to eat his "Whore Pasta". He tries to escape via silk ribbons. He is killed by glitter bomb. I don't know if you can tell - Mugatu is my favourite part of this movie.
Another thing that comes up again and again is that Derek and Hansel got old. They're constantly compared to over-the-top millenial models and they don't quite get fashion now. Don Atari is the embodiment of this. His slurred voice and confusing way of speaking baffles the duo. He has a beanie, he has dreads, is totally a caricature of a hipster and do you know why I think this character is worth it?
Mugatu does a handstand and snaps his neck with his feet. That's right. You thought I was done with Mugatu? I'm never done with Mugatu. And Mugatu is never done with you.
But Atari is one example of satire I think this movie does well.
Ok guys, now we better talk about the cameos. Wipe the tomato juice from my face and the stocks and hear me speak.
The cameos were kinda funny.
Yes there were a lot of them. There were a LOT of them. The budget on this must have been like 90% celebrity cameo . But many of them were done right. Yes there were "Oh Hi Katy Perry" moments. But there Billy Zane turned up and gave people Netflix, Benedict Cumberbatch was ALL, Kiefer Sutherland was pregnant, Justin Bieber got shot, Susan Boyle swore at paparazzi, the cameos achieved something.
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| In an ever expanding universe - there is always room for Neil deGrasse Tyson |
Would I rate it as my favourite movie of all time? Of course not. Nothing will break Hot Tub Time Machine from it's pedestal. (I'm kidding. It's Anchorman.) But, I. Enjoyed. This. Movie. and it's a shame that it's as panned as it is. Yes, many of the jokes fell flat and yes celebrities are everywhere and yes the plot is a little forced. But I genuinely liked it.
Rating: 6.5 - Would have been a six. Funny but often uninspired. Cameo inflation. But as I addressed the cameos kinda did a purpose. And it gains a half point for Mugatu. If anything the biggest fault in this movie was he didn't just handstand-neck-snap every foe he had. My next movie pitch is an action movie starring Mugatu where that's his special move.
Would I watch again: Yes - probably not this year. But I would happily watch this again if it was on TV. Or if I had just watched the first one and wasn't ready to go to bed yet.
Mugatu Level: Off the Charts
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