FASHION models are undeservedly stereotyped as slightly dim-witted clothes horses.

Not so Derek Zoolander (Ben Stiller), three-time winner of Male Model Of The Year - he's completely dense.

Derek is the top male fashion model of his day - a God among scantily clad men, with a range of pouts and poses to suit all occasions.

But his self-confidence plunges when dashing newcomer Hansel (Owen Wilson) steals his modelling crown and his most prestigious contracts.

Desperate to regain his fashion icon status, Derek accepts an invitation from influential designer Mugatu (Will Ferrell) to spearhead a new collection.

Derek is thrilled, but little does he realise that Mugatu is a member of a global syndicate that brainwashes male models to do its evil bidding.

The designer and his henchmen subliminally programme Derek to assassinate the President of Malaysia - to the horror of our hapless hero.

Struggling to retain his sanity, Derek enlists the help of Hansel and FBI agent Matilda (Christine Taylor) to expose the masterminds behind the scheme.

Catwalk

Zoolander is a film of two halves - the first only mildly amusing, the second a riot of poor taste gags and pratfalls.

In one of the film's best scenes, Derek and Hansel do battle in a catwalk walk-off, where the two men try to mimic each other along the platform.

At the film's centre is a sweetly endearing performance from Stiller as the eponymous model, whose IQ barely exceeds his chest measurement.

He swaggers and pouts with gusto, oozing the self-confidence of a man who lives for the camera lens.

Wilson is equally appealing as his adversary-turned-ally, and Taylor plays it straight as a plucky love interest.

There are also cameos galore (Victoria Beckham, Billy Zane, Winona Ryder, Lenny Kravitz) woven seamlessly into the drama. A model comedy.