Send us a text

Is a creator's vision more important than fan expectations? When Dan selected Zoolander 2 to counter Tony's Happy Gilmore 2 pick, neither expected to ignite a fundamental debate about the nature of filmmaking itself.
What begins as a typical movie discussion quickly transforms into a passionate philosophical standoff. Dan champions Zoolander 2 as a delightfully absurd comedy filled with machine-gun joke delivery, praising everything from Kyle Mooney's hipster character to Kiefer Sutherland's pregnancy reveal. He argues that filmmakers should follow their creative instincts rather than simply recreating what worked before.
Tony, however, sees the film as a betrayal. Where the original Zoolander offered grounded fashion industry satire, the sequel's supernatural elements, fashion police, and action-movie aesthetics abandon everything that made the first film special. "This could be about any group of people that want to live forever. It has nothing to do with fashion," he argues, making the case that legacy sequels have an obligation to honor what fans loved.
The conversation spirals into fascinating territory as the hosts examine specific scenes through completely different lenses. Whether discussing Benedict Cumberbatch's controversial All character, the bizarre masks sequence, or the lava pit finale, their disagreements reveal deeper questions about artistic growth versus audience satisfaction. Dan summarizes the contrast perfectly: "Happy Gilmore 2 is a perfect sequel but not a great movie, while Zoolander 2 is a horrible sequel but a fine movie by itself."
Perhaps most compelling is their exploration of how creative failure shapes artistic paths. Ben Stiller's admission that Zoolander 2's poor reception propelled him toward creating acclaimed work like "Severance" raises questions about whether commercial disappointment sometimes serves a greater purpose.
Whether you've seen the polarizing sequel or not, this episode delivers laugh-out-loud moments alongside thoughtful examination of what we truly want from the films we love. By the end, you'll be questioning your own stance on the eternal debate: should creators prioritize their artistic vision or give audiences exactly what they expect?

Be our friend!
Dan: @shakybacon
Tony: @tonydczech
And follow the podcast on IG: @hatewatchingDAT