Zoolander is one of those goofy pleasures that has no other objective but to make us laugh for ninety minutes. And given the tragic events that occurred earlier in September, this movie is a perfect diversion. Based on a character Ben Stiller created for the VH1 Fashion Awards a few years back, Zoolander tells the story of a world famous super model caught in a sinister web of intrigue.

Stiller is the title character, a dimwitted, yet likable model who is brainwashed into doing some dirty work for crazy fashion designer Jacobim Mugatu (a hilarious Will Ferell). If that weren't bad enough, he must deal with the fact that rival super model Hansel (wonderfully funny Owen Wilson) has stolen his thunder. I'd guess you could call Zoolander a strange mixture of Austin Powers and The Manchurian Candidate. Like Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, Zoolander keeps the jokes coming fast and furious. But unlike the Kevin Smith laugh fest, Stiller's latest directing effort isn't quite as consistent. Sure, there are plenty of laugh out loud moments, but some of the gags here are quite tiresome (I got really tired of Derek Zoolander mispronouncing words).

Still, I really admired this picture's spirit. It is, after all, a comedy and Stiller never even attempts to take things remotely seriously. He's also rounded up a most impressive cameo roster that features the likes of David Duchovny, Winona Ryder, Natalie Portman, Jon Voight, Vince Vaughn, Lenny Kravitz, Cuba Gooding Jr., Sandra Bernhard, Billy Zane, Andy Dick and Ben Stiller's own parents Jerry Stiller and Ann Meara--as well as countless others. He's even bagged a certain rock star that I will not reveal in this review.

As much as I enjoyed Stiller's clueless Zoolander character, I really felt that Owen Wilson stole the show with that unique comic rhythm that makes him such an interesting talent. From the runway competitions to the mock magazine covers, Zoolander has some truly big laughs. It also has likable heroes. And while Stiller's comic ode to male super models isn't quite perfect, it's a hell of a lot better than that dismal Head Over Heals movie from earlier this year. Zoolander really put me in a good mood.