Three Guys Pickin'

Can Ben Stiller overpower the 'Zoo-factor?'

by RICHARD DRAKE
columnist

Welcome, welcome, welcome! ItÕs so exciting isn't it? Your beady little eyes are bugging out while you have the opportunity to read the brand new "3 Guys Pickin'" article, aren't they? What? Aren't they buggin' out? That's what I thought "3 Guys Pickin'" presents: Head or Gut.

So all the entertainment buzz over the weekend has been centered around the new Ben Stiller flick, "Zoolander" (that is, of course, when the buzz about "3 Guys Pickin'" has died down for about five minutes.) Right off the bat, one has to think there is something terribly wrong with the picture. That title hanging over you, shouting "Zoolander!" Hasn't the track record for things with "Zoo" in the title been less than stellar? For example, let's look at U2's lackluster and pretentious "Zooropa/ZooTV/Zoop-a-dee-doo-da." There was a project that surely wasn't all it was made out to be.

The main character, Derek Zoolander, is a dim-witted male model (what other kind could there be?) who was originally created by Ben Stiller for the VH-1 Fashion Awards. So not only does it have to Zoo-factor going against it, but also, can anything be created FOR the VH-1 Fashion Awards be worth enough to be, or become something interesting on the silver screen? Well, someone though that it would, and thankfully looked past the Zoo-Factor and the VH-1 Factor, thus giving Ben the big ol' green light.

The thing that makes this flick worthy is Ben Stiller. Of course, he stars as the title character. But the fact that Ben starts in a movie does not automatically make it gold. Sure, everyone loved him as Ted in "There's Something About Mary." It was a role that he played to a near-bumbling perfection. And he played an out-of-character good-guy-turned-evil TV producer in "Reality Bites." However, one only has to remember the disaster that was "Mystery Men" to realize Ben Stiller acting in a flick doth not immediately make it quality. Although, "Mystery Men" did put Claire Forlani back on screen for us (she of "Mallrats" fame as Brandi Svenning.)

What makes "Zoolander" a flick you should want to see is the fact that Stiller is not only the star, but he's also the director. Prior to "Zoolander," he has been at the helm of two very good movies; one that maybe was given more than its due, and one that was not given enough credit for being a quality flick. "Reality Bites" was the directorial debut for Stiller and is purported to be one of the finest "Generation-X" type films, as it focuses on mid-twenty-somethings and their entrance into "real life." Although I think the best thing about it was that it is the film debut for a wonderfully funny actor named Steve Zahn.

Stiller's second time behind the Hollywood movie camera, and his best movie I might add, was "The Cable Guy." And yes, this is the movie that has never been given its due. The movie was panned as being too dark and not a good turn for Jim Carrey who starred in it. When in all actuality, it is an incredibly funny movie. It was supposed to be a dark comedy, and it's a darn good one too! Unfortunately, most who didn't like "The Cable Guy" looked past the fact that is was supposed to be dark, all because they were expecting the "Ace Ventura/The Mask/Dum and Dumber" Jim Carrey. When instead, they got something different, a more subtle Carrey who actually had to do a little acting this time instead of just talking out of his butt as he does very well in the "Ace" flicks.

"The Cable Guy" is one of Jim Carrey's best flicks, it is Ben Stiller's best directorial effort (he also makes a cameo), and to this day is still too misunderstood for people to give it the chance it deserves. Plus, you canÕt forget the small appearance by Jack Black, who went on to steal "High Fidelity" from John Cusack and then teamed up with Steve Zahn for the watchable "Saving Silverman."

The fact is, Ben Stiller is a very talented dude. He directs well, he writes well, and he's got the bumbling nice-guy act down well. His performance as Mr. Gaylord Focker in "Meet the Parents" pretty much solidified that. In "Zoolander," he's able to finally do a character on film instead of just being the nice guy.

"Zoolander" is filled with many other fine comedic besides Stiller. Joining Stiller is Owen Wilson ("Armageddon," "Shanghai Noon," "Meet the Parents," and co-writer of the awesome "Rushmore.") Owen has the charm and personality to steal just about any movie heÕs in. He's the Rob Van Dam of movies, because like "Mr. Pay-Per-View," he always shows up and he always performs.

Playing the villain is the very funny Will Ferrell. Here's a guy who like, "The Cable Guy," doesn't get his due. Ferrell is easily one of the funniest people alive, and brings another great level of humor and likeability to "Zoolander." For other example of Ferrell's genius one can look to "Superstar" and, of course, Kevin Smith's "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back."

Besides those two, cameos galore litter "Zoolander:" Jerry Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Winona Ryder (in her best scene since "South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut"), David Duchovny and many others.

"Zoolander" is currently playing in Huntington. See it before it's gone! If you don't catch one of the very few movies out there worth seeing right now, you're going to be in a real rut until the "Lord of the Rings" flick comes out.

3 Guys Pickin' is hailed as the greatest ever television show in the history of Chicago's CAN-TV, and those that are doing the hailing are completely correct in their assessment. Comments can be sent to Richard Drake at parthenon@marshall.edu.