When Zoolander hit theaters on September 28, 2001, it was, understandably, met with a tepid response, both critically and at the box office. Its absurdist blend of high fashion and low comedy meant it needed to find an audience willing to give into pure silliness at a time when that was the last thing on people’s minds. Fifteen years later, the film has grown into a modern comedy classic, carving out its place in The New Cult Canon, and apparently counting Terrence Malick among its many high-profile fans. With this month’s Zoolander 2, director and star Ben Stiller is hoping audiences are hungry for more Blue Steel, bringing in plenty of new faces (Kristen Wiig, Benedict Cumberbatch, countless young pop stars) and returning fan favorites (Will Ferrell’ s Mugatu, thankfully).
Zoolander 2 opens nationwide on February 12, but The A.V. Club and Paramount Pictures have an opportunity for you to see it for free on February 9. For your chance to win a pair of passes to the advance screening, simply follow the link here and enter your information. Remember: Advance screenings are often intentionally overbooked, so be sure to arrive early if you want to guarantee yourself a seat. A plot synopsis and trailer for the film can be found below.
“When the world’s most beautiful musical celebrities are systematically assassinated with formerly famous male model Derek Zoolander’s iconic “Blue Steel” look on their face, Interpol recruits Derek and his friend Hansel McDonald to infiltrate a new and different world of high fashion in order to put a stop to it. Meanwhile, Derek’s rival Jacobim Mugatu is set free and is seeking revenge.”