the star malaysia movie review

Star Movie Review, Kavin shines bright till midway

“Star,” featuring Kavin, graced theaters on May 10th, marking a significant cinematic event. Directed by Elan, acclaimed for his work in “Pyaar Prema Kadhal,” and underscored by the musical prowess of Yuvan Shankar Raja, the film has garnered widespread acclaim and adoration from audiences and critics alike.

The journey of “Star” began last August with an announcement that sparked anticipation among the audience. From the first look, audiences eagerly awaited its release, and upon its debut, accolades poured in not only from India but also from Malaysia, where the film garnered a flurry of positive reviews. It became apparent very quickly that it had the potential to be a big hit for Elan’s direction skills, Kavin’s captivating performance, and Yuvan’s magic.

At the heart of “Star” lies a captivating narrative that serves as a rollercoaster of emotions for viewers. The plot resonates deeply with audiences, touching upon themes of career aspirations, love, insecurities, trauma, and hardwork. It transcends the realm of ordinary storytelling, weaving together a tapestry of life lessons that strike a chord with viewers on a personal level.

So, why should one embark on the journey of “Star”?

 1) Kavin’s Exceptional Acting:

 Kavin delivered an extraordinary performance in “Star,” a feat that exceeded even the highest expectations. While Kavin has long been recognized as a talented actor, his portrayal in this film elevates him to the status of a true star. In the role of Kalai, Kavin adeptly navigates the complexities of his character, showcasing a wide range of emotions and sides of life. From embodying the innocence and vulnerability of a school student to the nuanced portrayal of an aspiring actor, Kavin’s transformation is nothing short of remarkable. 

One of the standout moments in Kavin’s performance is his portrayal of Kalai’s struggle with depression. With raw emotion and sensitivity, Kavin brings this challenging aspect of the character to life, immersing viewers in the depths of Kalai’s despair.

What sets Kavin apart in “Star” is his ability to transcend the role of a conventional hero. Instead, he portrays Kalai as a multifaceted individual, grappling with insecurities, familial relationships, and the existential angst of feeling lost in life. It is this depth and authenticity that resonates with audiences, drawing them into Kalai’s journey and forging a profound connection with the character.

Moreover, Kavin’s chemistry with his on-screen family, particularly his father, adds another layer of poignancy to his performance. Through subtle gestures and expressions, Kavin conveys the deep bond between Kalai and his father, underscoring the importance of familial love and support.

2) Elan’s Direction

Elan’s Direction in “Star” stands as a testament to his directorial skills and artistic vision. With each frame, he expertly crafts a narrative that resonates deeply with audiences, transcending the boundaries of mere entertainment.

Central to Elan’s directorial approach is his ability to delve into the complexities of life, presenting a nuanced portrayal of the human experience. From Kalai’s tough journey of self-discovery to his relationships with family and friends, Elan adeptly navigates the intricacies of the negative and positive sides of  human emotions, capturing the essence of each character with authenticity and empathy.

Furthermore, Elan’s directorial choices lend a sense of visual poetry to the film, with each scene crafted to evoke a specific mood or emotion. Every scene is imbued with meaning, contributing to the overall tapestry of the story.

3) The film’s cast

The Cast of “Star” is nothing short of exceptional, with each member contributing to the film’s remarkable success. Led by the brilliant performances of Kavin, the ensemble cast brings depth and authenticity to their respective roles, elevating the storytelling to new heights.

At the heart of the cast is Lal, whose portrayal of Kalai’s father is a standout performance.Lal gives his role a fatherly aura that resonates deeply with the audience. His unconditional love and support for Kalai adds layers of emotional depth to their relationship, enriching the narrative and underscoring the importance of familial bonds.

Aaditi Pohankar and Preity Mukhudhan, along with the rest of the talented actors, complement Kavin’s stellar portrayal with their subtle performances. Each actor brings a unique perspective to their character. Whether it’s Aaditi’s portrayal of Surabhi or Preity’s of Meera, every member of the cast contributes to the seamless cinematic experience, ensuring that each moment on screen is captivating and engaging.

The ensemble of “Star” works well together to bring the characters to life and enhance the story through their portrayals.Their collective talent and dedication are evident in every scene, making the film a truly memorable cinematic experience.

4) Yuvan’s magic

As always, Yuvan Shankar Raja’s musical brilliance comes through in “Star,” giving the movie a captivating atmosphere that attracts audiences from beginning to end. His dynamic compositions give every scene a feeling of depth and resonance that lasts long after the credits have rolled, serving as a pillar of the movie’s emotional landscape.

Yuvan skillfully composed tunes that evoke a range of emotions in audiences and pull at their heartstrings, creating a symphony of emotions. The song, “ Star in the making”, where Yuvan’s  artistry takes center stage, envelops audiences in a transcendent musical experience and connects the lyrics to the listeners.

5) Life Lesson Taught in the “ Star”.

“Star” goes beyond the bounds of the typical narrative to teach important life lessons that captivate viewers. The film’s core message is that the human spirit is resilient and that one should never give up on their aspirations, no matter how overwhelming the obstacles may appear.

What’s the story about?

Kalai who loves cinema and is passionate to become an actor since childhood faces hurdles to achieve his dreams. The plot revolves around, with all the struggles Kalai faces will he achieve his dreams?

In essence, “Star” transcends the confines of traditional cinema, emerging as a cinematic masterpiece that resonates deeply with audiences. With its compelling narrative, stellar performances, and soul-stirring music, it stands as a testament to the collaborative genius of Elan, Kavin, and Yuvan.

Don’t miss the opportunity to experience the film in your nearest theaters!

One of the favorite quotes from the film,

Universe always falls in love with a stubborn heart.

Follow us on Instagram , Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news. 

Suria KLCC’s Golden Ticket 2024 returns, sprinkling patrons with prizes galore

Juventus’s tiktok features new hit song ‘yennode macha’ by malaysian singer zubir khan, related posts.

Malaysian Indian Wedding Photographers & Videographers (MIWPV) Convention And Awards 2022

EXCLUSIVE: DJ Dasz Successfully Stamped His Name In The Malaysia Book of Records

A Story Of An Inspiring Teacher Who Owns A Bouquet Business; Sha Bouquet

Malaysian Veenai Artist Shuwehtha Premkumar Awarded The Lok Kala Ratna In Chennai

EXCLUSIVE; 16-Year-Old Squash Twins Shine At Bangamata International Squash Tournament 2022

EXCLUSIVE: Malaysian Twin Dholis, Rebecca and Rachel’s Twin-Tastic Tale

V2k group on telegram exposed for posting women’s nudes, 10 reasons why thalapathy vijay’s ‘the goat’ is a must-watch blockbuster, a star-studded gala screening – thalapathy vijay’s ‘the goat’ premieres in malaysia by five star trading & veedu production, courthill sri ganesar temple to host grand vinayagar chaturthi festivities and chariot procession, radhashtami; the tale of goddess radha’s birth and past life.

• Advertising
• Privacy Policy

© 2024 Vijandren Ramadass. All Rights Reserved.

• Login / Sign Up
• Entertainment

My Old Ass dodges the usual time-travel movie problems, with good reason

Aubrey Plaza and Maisy Stella star in this coming-of-age comedy

by Petrana Radulovic

The gimmick at the center of Megan Park’s dramedy My Old Ass is grabby: On the night of her 18th birthday, a teenager blows off her family birthday celebration to go do drugs in the woods. There, she encounters an adult version of herself, and promptly proceeds to rag on herself for being so old. (The other version of her is just 39.) Seeing a confident teenager and her older self playfully butt heads over future job prospects and appearances is already funny. But woven through the Oh my God, is this what I’m going to be like when I’m OLD?! back-and-forth is a powerful movie about growing up.

Writer-director Megan Park ( The Fallout ) uses a high-concept plot to drill in on specific emotions and experiences, while dodging genre trappings and specifics about time travel. Skimping on the sci-fi mechanics while leaning into the emotions created by the situation lets her craft My Old Ass into a contemplative coming-of-age story — one that perfectly encapsulates the feeling of that one last carefree adolescent summer before everything changes.

[ Ed. note: This piece contains light setup spoilers for My Old Ass. ]

Maisy Stella (ABC’s musical drama Nashville ) plays Elliott, a confident young woman with big dreams of leaving her family’s cranberry farm behind when she goes to University of Toronto in the fall. While tripping on hallucinogenic mushrooms, she’s visited by an older version of herself (played by Parks and Recreation ’s Aubrey Plaza ), who offers her some advice about this very transitory time in their life. The two manage to keep up a correspondence via cell phone, with older Elliott trying to guide younger Elliott without giving away too much about the future. Her biggest warning: Stay away from Chad (Percy Hynes White), the charming boy who’s working at her family’s farm over the summer.

Throughout the movie, it’s a little ambiguous about whether actual time travel is occurring, or Elliott is just experiencing a side effect of her psychedelic trip. But that blurry line means Park doesn’t have to sweat over paradoxes or otherwise waste time laying out the rules of time travel. To young Elliott, chatting up her 20-years-older self is just a random, weird thing that’s happening, and she’s rolling with the punches. They never really interrogate the larger space-time consequences of the experience, or worry that they might break reality by touching. Which is a good thing, because Park uses the time-travel element as a tool to really hammer home the bittersweetness of growing up.

Young Elliott is confident about her place in the world, and Stella imbues the character with a particular brash brightness. When she starts to question what she’s taken for granted about herself and her family, and what that means for the future, her performance comes with a tangible vulnerability. Meanwhile, Plaza nails the older, more world-weary version of the character — but one who’s never too jaded or cynical. The two of them share some wonderful banter: It’s a testament to their chemistry that a lot of their interaction happens via phone, and yet it never feels stilted or shortchanged.

Older Elliott doesn’t share specific details about the future with her younger self, with good reason: She wants to let younger Elliott experience surprise at everything life has to offer. Her vague words of advice — effectively, slow down and spend more time with her family while she can — could be overused adages. But because they’re so universal, they can also apply to Elliott’s specific situation, like how she feels like she’s too good for her family’s cranberry farm. And the nebulous warning older Elliott delivers about that cute boy also could be a cliché — except that until she meets Chad, Elliott has only been attracted to girls. It’s a refreshing take on a coming-out story, and it makes older Elliott’s warnings even more intriguing, especially as younger Elliott and Chad clearly hit it off.

Beyond the time-travel setup, My Old Ass ’s most immediate hook is the leads and their easy rapport. This movie could have just been a collection of hijinks and jokes about touching your older self’s butt. But Park uses the timey-wimey elements to craft a story about those unheralded last moments, the ones we don’t realize will be watersheds on the way to growing up. Younger Elliott is eager to leave everything behind and move on to her next great adventure, but older Elliott is able to offer some perspective. At the same time, older Elliott gets to savor her bygone youth and tap into the days of being a fearless teenager who could conquer the world. My Old Ass is about growing up — the joy, the pain, and those little moments that resonate with us far longer than we think they will — and Park smartly pulls it off by drawing on Elliott’s perspectives of both the past and the present.

My Old Ass is out in select theaters starting Sept. 13, and everywhere on Sept. 27.

Most Popular

• Astro Bot embraces the spirit of ‘good artists copy, great artists steal’
• You only have one day to watch 2024’s most adorable anime movie in theaters
• Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree’s hated final boss gets nerfed at last
• Star Wars Outlaws hits the walls of open-world games
• The Analogue Pocket arrives with Game Boy Color tones on Sept. 12

Patch Notes

The best of Polygon in your inbox, every Friday.

This is the title for the native ad

More in Movies

The Latest ⚡️

Screen Rant

Aaron pierre has another big 2024 movie after rebel ridge & it pays off a streaming role from 3 years ago.

Your changes have been saved

Email is sent

Email has already been sent

Please verify your email address.

You’ve reached your account maximum for followed topics.

The True Story Inspiration Behind Netflix's Rebel Ridge

6 reasons rebel ridge's reviews are so great, 10 best movies like rebel ridge.

Aaron Pierre has garnered critical acclaim for his performance in Rebel Ridge , but he has another big 2024 movie coming up, with this new movie paying off a streaming role from three years ago. While Aaron Pierre has been acting for a few years, 2024 seems to be a major breakthrough year for the actor, with him starring in season 4 of Genius as Malcolm X, starring in the Netflix hit Rebel Ridge , and starring in a film that is expected to be one of the biggest hits of 2024.

Rebel Ridge was first released on Netflix in September 2024 , with it immediately taking off and becoming one of the most popular Netflix original movies of the year. The film stars Aaron Pierre as Terry Richmond, a former Marine who decides to take revenge on a local police department after they seize money that was meant to be his cousin's bail. Although Aaron Pierre was a last minute replacement for original Rebel Ridge star John Boyega , the actor has made the film his own, with him stealing nearly every scene that he is in.

Aaron Pierre's Next 2024 Movie After Rebel Ridge Is Mufasa

He will star in the lion king prequel.

Rebel Ridge was already a big hit for Aaron Pierre, but his next movie is likely to be an even bigger hit. Pierre will be following up Rebel Ridge with Mufasa: The Lion King , which hits theaters on December 20, 2024. The upcoming Disney film is a prequel to their 2019 The Lion King remake, which was the highest-grossing animated movie of all time until Inside Out 2 was released in 2024. Because of this, it is expected that Mufasa: The Lion King will be another big hit for the franchise , further boosting Pierre's acting career.

Netflix's action thriller Rebel Ridge exposes a lesser-known real-life injustice as Terry fights to get his money back from corrupt local cops.

Aaron Pierre's role in Mufasa: The Lion King is far from small, as he will be voicing the titular character. Aaron Pierre will be taking on the role of a young Mufasa, with him being the star of the film that explores the origins of the iconic king from the original The Lion King story. Following up on one of James Earl Jones' most legendary movie performances is a difficult feat, but if anyone can do it, Rebel Ridge proves that Aaron Pierre is the one for the job.

How A Previous Streaming Role Led To Aaron Pierre's Mufasa Casting

He has worked with barry jenkins before.

Aaron Pierre's casting in Mufasa: The Lion King isn't a surprise, as the film actually has direct ties to a previous streaming project that the actor performed in. The critically acclaimed filmmaker Barry Jenkins is helming Mufasa: The Lion King , with many being surprised to learn that the Moonlight director is also directing the prequel. Barry Jenkins has made all kinds of critically acclaimed projects that aren't part of franchises in the past, with one of these projects directly leading to Aaron Pierre's casting in Mufasa: The Lion King .

Jeremy Saulnier's Rebel Ridge is receiving incredible reviews from both viewers and critics, which is not surprising after considering seven reasons.

Before acting in Mufasa: The Lion King , Aaron Pierre appeared in Barry Jenkins' miniseries The Underground Railroad , where appeared in a recurring role as Caesar Garner. The Underground Railroad is the last project that Barry Jenkins directed before Mufasa: The Lion King , and since Jenkins and Pierre worked together on that project, it isn't surprising that Jenkins brought him along when he began working on the prequel. Jenkins' choice to cast Pierre will undoubtedly help the actor even more, capping off his incredible 2024.

What Other Movies & TV Shows Aaron Pierre Has Appeared In

And what will he appear in next.

Rebel Ridge and Mufasa: The Lion King are far from the first projects that Pierre has appeared in, with him acting in a variety of movies and TV shows. Pierre's first movie role was in 2021, with him appearing in M. Night Shyamalan's Old . In 2022, Pierre appeared in Brother , with him then following that up with 2023's Foe . Rebel Ridge was Pierre's first project after this , with him next appearing in Mufasa: The Lion King .

On the television side, Pierre began his career in 2017 in two episodes of Prime Suspect 1973 and two episodes of The A Word . Pierre then appeared in three episodes of 2018's Britannia before getting a main role as Dev-Em in the DC series Krypton . Pierre then appeared in Barry Jenkins' miniseries The Underground Railroad , with him following that up with his performance as Malcolm X in Genius . Pierre is also set to appear in season 4 of The Morning Show , with this being his follow up to Rebel Ridge and Mufasa: The Lion King .

Rebel Ridge

Your rating.

Your comment has not been saved

Former Marine Terry Richmond travels to Shelby Springs to post bail for his cousin, only to find his savings unjustly seized by a corrupt local police force. With the help of court clerk Summer McBride, Terry uncovers a deep-seated conspiracy and vows to bring justice to the town.

The Star (2017)

NA / English / Animation / Not Available

In Sony Pictures Animation's THE STAR, a small but brave donkey named Bo yearns for a life beyond his daily grind at the village mill. One day he finds the courage to break free, and finally goes on the adventure of his dreams. On his journey, he teams up with Ruth, a lovable sheep who has lost her flock and Dave, a dove with lofty aspirations. Along with three wisecracking camels and some eccentric stable animals, Bo and his new friends follow the Star and become accidental heroes in the greatest story ever told - the first Christmas.

Movie Trailer

Now Showing VIEW ALL >

Aespa: World Tour In Cinemas

Alien: Romulus

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

Deadpool & Wolverine

Despicable Me 4

Love the movies? Get POPCORN!

Available on iTunes and Google Play

Set Location

The Definitive Voice of Entertainment News

Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter

site categories

‘speak no evil’ review: james mcavoy is in top sinister form in a slow-burn blumhouse thriller that almost works.

Scoot McNairy and Mackenzie Davis play the victims in a remake of the 2022 Danish horror movie about two families holed up in a remote farmhouse.

By Caryn James

Caryn James

• Share on Facebook
• Share to Flipboard
• Send an Email
• Show additional share options
• Share on LinkedIn
• Share on Pinterest
• Share on Reddit
• Share on Tumblr
• Share on Whats App
• Print the Article
• Post a Comment

Related Stories

'speak no evil' star mackenzie davis breaks down the film's 'halt and catch fire' reunion, 'nightbitch' review: motherhood gets a brilliant amy adams barking mad in a satire that promises ferociousness but pulls too many punches, speak no evil.

James Watkins , who previously directed Eden Lake and The Woman in Black , has a sure hand as he keeps turning up the tension in the movie, based on the 2022 Danish thriller Gaesterne . He begins with glorious views of Italy, where Ben and Louise are vacationing with their 11-year-old daughter, Agnes (Alix West Lefler), an anxious child attached to Hoppy, the stuffed rabbit she calls her “worry bunny.”

At their resort, they meet Paddy, Ciara and their son, Ant (Dan Hough). Paddy explains that Ant can’t speak because he was born with a malformed tongue. McAvoy modulates the performance so that Paddy is engaging, funny and just a little bit too eager to be friends. He is the kind of guy who can genially spar with Louise about the fact that she is a vegetarian without turning the conversation into an argument.

The farmhouse itself is perfectly shabby-chic, with production design that makes it look slightly mysterious (stained glass windows on the bedroom doors) but not particularly haunted. It is so isolated, of course, that there is no cell service. Rhetorical question: Was there ever a landline phone in a horror movie that did not have the line cut later? Watkins doesn’t indulge in or call attention to those tropes, though, as he leads us to question the enigma of Paddy and wonder how long it will take Ben and Louise to come to their senses and bolt.

Paddy’s games begin almost the minute the guests arrive, when he insists that Louise have the first bite of the prize lamb he has killed and cooked, as if that whole vegetarianism conversation never happened. He bullies, but with a smile. McAvoy ramps up the creepiness gradually. In one scene he brings real danger to his recitation of Philip Larkin’s poem “This Be the Verse,” with its famous line about how families mess you up, a clue to a lot that goes wrong. The film comes to seem like a low-rent mix of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? with its guest-baiting, and The Shining , with McAvoy hinting at a Nicholson-like mad gleam in his eye, as we wait for a violent “Here’s Johnny!” moment.

Unfortunately, the story takes far too many predictable turns. It has a “get out of the house” phase, then a “really, don’t go back in that farmhouse” moment, until it finally reaches, “I give up, these people are hopeless.” The climactic action standoff between good and evil, with knives and guns drawn, is actually anticlimactic, although you have to admire Louise’s ingenuity in turning household cleaning products into weapons. And all the actors are so game, straight through to the end, that they almost make up for this final silliness.

Full credits

Thr newsletters.

Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day

More from The Hollywood Reporter

How ai helped create a key dream sequence for “shoestring budget” oldenburg film ‘traumnovelle’, samurai thriller ’11 rebels’ to open tokyo international film festival, ‘friendship’ review: netflix funnyman tim robinson conquers the big screen in a squirmy bro-com co-starring paul rudd, hugh grant on why he has turned down starring in some big-budget studio films, ‘beetlejuice beetlejuice’ writers break down those two spectacular needle drops, toronto: daniel craig and nicole kidman take big swings in, are serious contenders for ‘queer’ and ‘babygirl’.

The Straits Times

• International
• Print Edition
• news with benefits
• SPH Rewards
• STClassifieds
• Berita Harian
• Hardwarezone
• Shin Min Daily News
• Tamil Murasu
• The Business Times
• The New Paper
• Lianhe Zaobao
• Advertise with us

Movie review: Malaysian film Guang shines with solid lead performances and impressive visuals

89 minutes/Opens on March 14

The story: An autistic man, Wen Guang (Kyo Chen), is sent out to look for work by his brother (Ernest Chong), known only as Didi (younger brother in Mandarin). But those attempts at getting hired fail. Wen Guang is compulsively drawn to objects that produce musical notes, or behaves in a way that causes potential employers to reject him. His brother, who has raised him since the death of their mother, resents postponing his ambitions to look after the selfish, child-like man.

There is something about autistic savants. From Rain Man (1988) to the hit television series The Good Doctor (2017 to present), now in its second season, savants are shown to be superheroes with tragic frailties.

We now know that this fascination is troubling because savant abilities are rare in the autistic population. It distracts public attention from painful issues those with autism face every day.

This film gets a pass for two reasons.

Firstly, this story is semi-autobiographical, and secondly, Wen Guang's (Chen) skills are useless in real life. He cannot diagnose illnesses the way Freddie Highmore's character can in The Good Doctor, nor can he employ them in a casino, the way Dustin Hoffman's character does in Rain Man.

In fact, Wen Guang's sonic super-power hurts him and his brother (Chong), because it is also a full-blown compulsion. It overrides any instruction from his exasperated brother.

The film digs into the idea of being born a brother's keeper and the pain that it causes when the one being cared for seems to understand wrong from right, but does wrong anyway. Such is the dilemma of being a moderate to high-functioning person with autism, the film seems to say.

Wen Guang looks capable of holding down a simple blue-collar job, but it feels as if he is wilfully ignoring his brother's pleas for him to follow basic social norms.

Both Chen and Chong, as the autistic man and his brother respectively, emanate authenticity. The performances are naturalistic and so good, they help the film bounce back from its third-act descent into sentimentality.

Film-maker Quek Shio Chuan, who co-wrote the screenplay based on his real-life experiences with his brother, has coaxed gut-wrenching portrayals from the two actors, while at the same time never losing a slightly acerbic comic tone.

Wen Guang is the picture of child-like innocence, but around him are supporting characters who nail their portrayals of cynical Kuala Lumpur types with a few pithy lines.

Working with cinematographer Eric Yeong, Quek has taken great care in how the film looks, from the interiors of Wen Guang's well-worn flat in KL's Pudu district to its coffee shops and street life, the film's visuals are a guilty pleasure.

Yes, the images lean towards romanticised squalor, but the craft is undeniable and arresting.

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

• Movie review

Read 3 articles and stand to win rewards

Spin the wheel now

Common Sense Media

Movie & TV reviews for parents

• For Parents
• For Educators
• Our Work and Impact

Or browse by category:

• Movie Reviews
• Best Movie Lists
• Best Movies on Netflix, Disney+, and More

Common Sense Selections for Movies

50 Modern Movies All Kids Should Watch Before They're 12

• Best TV Lists
• Best TV Shows on Netflix, Disney+, and More
• Common Sense Selections for TV
• Video Reviews of TV Shows

Best Kids' Shows on Disney+

Best Kids' TV Shows on Netflix

• Book Reviews
• Best Book Lists
• Common Sense Selections for Books

8 Tips for Getting Kids Hooked on Books

50 Books All Kids Should Read Before They're 12

• Game Reviews
• Best Game Lists

Common Sense Selections for Games

• Video Reviews of Games

Nintendo Switch Games for Family Fun

• Podcast Reviews
• Best Podcast Lists

Common Sense Selections for Podcasts

Parents' Guide to Podcasts

• App Reviews
• Best App Lists

Social Networking for Teens

Gun-Free Action Game Apps

Reviews for AI Apps and Tools

• YouTube Channel Reviews
• YouTube Kids Channels by Topic

Parents' Ultimate Guide to YouTube Kids

YouTube Kids Channels for Gamers

• Preschoolers (2-4)
• Little Kids (5-7)
• Big Kids (8-9)
• Pre-Teens (10-12)
• Teens (13+)
• Screen Time
• Social Media
• Online Safety
• Identity and Community

How to Help Kids Build Character Strengths with Quality Media

• Family Tech Planners
• Digital Skills
• All Articles
• Latino Culture
• Black Voices
• Asian Stories
• Native Narratives
• LGBTQ+ Pride
• Best of Diverse Representation List

Multicultural Books

YouTube Channels with Diverse Representations

Podcasts with Diverse Characters and Stories

• Common Sense Says
• Parents Say 57 Reviews
• Kids Say 22 Reviews

Common Sense Media Review

Sweet Nativity story told from animals' perspective.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that The Star is an animated, faith-based take on the Nativity story that's told from the perspective of the animals that accompanied Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem. There's nothing too scary or iffy for young kids, except for a scene in which a big, scary animal charges people and other…

Why Age 5+?

A sequence between Herod's enforcers and a village includes peril and some frigh

Mary and Joseph are affectionate.

Any Positive Content?

Positive messages include the power of generosity, integrity, and compassion; th

Mary and Joseph are faithful, loving, and caring -- Mary in particular cares abo

Introduces the basic elements of the biblical Nativity story.

Violence & Scariness

A sequence between Herod's enforcers and a village includes peril and some frightening animals (including angry dogs), but no one is seriously hurt. Characters navigate some perilous paths and cliffs on their journey. Bo's initial companion sacrifices his safety so Bo can escape. Herod plots against Mary and Joseph; his minions can be intimidating.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Positive Messages

Positive messages include the power of generosity, integrity, and compassion; the importance of protecting others; the importance of following through on your duty/responsibilities; and faith that the journey toward Mary and Joseph (and baby Jesus) had an important purpose. Promotes the idea that friends support and help one another.

Positive Role Models

Mary and Joseph are faithful, loving, and caring -- Mary in particular cares about the animals that turn up on the couple's journey toward Bethlehem. Bo starts out dreaming of glory and adventure and then finds his purpose through staying with Mary and helping her and Joseph. Many of the animals feel strongly convicted to follow a particular path. Some of the dangerous animals redeem themselves after Jesus' birth. King Herod is cruel and selfish, but he and his minions are clearly portrayed as bad guys in the wrong. Mary doesn't look particularly Middle Eastern.

Educational Value

Parents need to know that The Star is an animated, faith-based take on the Nativity story that's told from the perspective of the animals that accompanied Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem. There's nothing too scary or iffy for young kids, except for a scene in which a big, scary animal charges people and other animals (no one is seriously hurt). There are also two intimidating attack dogs that end up temporarily incapacitated before they can do any harm, and a few other scenes of peril. King Herod is cruel and selfish, but he's clearly a bad guy -- as are the minions he sends after Mary and Joseph. Expect strong, clear messages about Christmas, family, and faith; obviously the movie aligns with the Christian belief in Jesus' virgin birth (although that detail isn't lingered on). It also has themes of compassion and integrity. Moviegoers of all backgrounds will recognize many of the voice actors (including Keegan-Michael Key , Oprah Winfrey , and Zachary Levi ), but the film is likely to have the most appeal for Christian families. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

Where to Watch

Videos and photos.

Parent and Kid Reviews

• Parents say (57)
• Kids say (22)

Based on 57 parent reviews

Nice ending but a lot of violence

Hallelujah, what's the story.

Inspired by the Nativity story, THE STAR follows Bo the donkey (voiced by Steven Yeun ), who dreams of escaping his dull duties working for the village miller and finding glory and adventure in the outside world. One day he manages to escape and eventually teams up with Ruth ( Aidy Bryant ), a sheep who's lost her flock, and Dave ( Keegan-Michael Key ), a wisecracking dove. The trio begins an action-packed journey to follow a star that's leading them toward young, pregnant Mary ( Gina Rodriguez ) and her husband, Joseph ( Zachary Levi ), who've been forced by royal decree to travel to Bethlehem. Meanwhile, King Herod's ( Christopher Plummer ) henchmen, armed with a few scary attack animals, are on the lookout for pregnant women like Mary -- but Bo and his friends are ready to protect their human friends.

Is It Any Good?

With a great voice cast and cute character animation, this religious tale is just funny and entertaining enough to amuse most families who celebrate Christmas, not just devout church-goers. The Star manages to finely balance the biblical aspects of the Nativity story with the sillier elements associated with animated talking-animal movies. TV star Yeun ( The Walking Dead ) plays Bo with an earnest hopefulness, which is balanced well by Dave, the knowing, joke-cracking dove voiced by comedian Key. Kids will likely connect with the animals more than they do the biblical adults, who are well acted but far more serious, considering everything that a heavily pregnant Mary (who for some reason has pretty pale skin and huge blue eyes) and Joseph (who at least looks Middle Eastern) are going through to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem.

Although the movie's subject matter is clearly religious, it isn't overtly preachy (unlike many other faith-based films). Still, it's definitely aimed at families that already celebrate Christmas. But it's light enough to amuse kids, and parents will get a kick out of the cast, which also includes turns by Oprah Winfrey , Tyler Perry , Kristin Chenoweth , Anthony Anderson , Tracy Morgan , and more. The catchy soundtrack includes a variety of secular, gospel, and Christian superstars -- including Mariah Carey (who sings the theme song), Kirk Franklin, Casting Crowns, and Pentatonix -- singing a mix of classic and contemporary Christmas songs like "We Three Kings" and "Breath of Heaven (Mary's Song)." Bottom line? The Star will definitely appeal to Christian families with young kids as a holiday season pick.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about the messages of family, faith, and friendship in The Star. What does Bo learn on his journey that leads him to Mary and Joseph? How does he change over the course of the movie?

How do some of the characters exemplify integrity and compassion ? Why are those important character strengths ?

Who's the target audience for this movie? Do you need to be Christian to appreciate its story and themes/messages?

Why do you think movies about talking animals are so fascinating and funny to kids?

Movie Details

• In theaters : November 17, 2017
• On DVD or streaming : February 6, 2018
• Cast : Steven Yeun , Gina Rodriguez , Keegan-Michael Key
• Director : Timothy Reckart
• Inclusion Information : Asian actors, Female actors, Latino actors, Black actors
• Studios : Columbia Pictures , Sony Pictures Releasing
• Genre : Family and Kids
• Topics : Friendship , Holidays , Wild Animals
• Character Strengths : Compassion , Integrity
• Run time : 86 minutes
• MPAA rating : PG
• MPAA explanation : some thematic elements
• Last updated : December 8, 2023

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Suggest an Update

What to watch next.

Merry Madagascar

It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie

Steven Spielberg Presents Animaniacs: Wakko's Wish

Arthur Christmas

Best holiday movies for kids, christmas movies, related topics.

• Wild Animals

Want suggestions based on your streaming services? Get personalized recommendations

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

12 Malaysian Movies You Need To Be Proud Of! 

Malaysia is known to the whole world for its beautiful skyscraper of the Petronas Twin Towers and of course, the mouth-watering Malaysian food. It’s now time for the world to put it’s local movie entertainment scene on the map because have you seen how brilliant some of these Malaysian movies are being produced and made? Dare I say, some could even be nominated for an Oscar award. Yes, our very own local movies are breaking barriers and hoops to achieve the best of the best to be on par with international standards.

Cover image by: (L) : astroawani (M): colourless opinions (R): Youtube 

However, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows for the local people to accept or perhaps eager to watch it. According to an article by Hype.my, in the year of 2017, the Malaysian film industry produced and released 59 movies that only drew in 4.5million from admissions. It even revealed that the figure has since declined from 2016 with a total of 7.16 million admissions. 

It’s time for everyone to step up and support the film scene here in Malaysia as the film-makers are widening their film genre range and not your stereotypical same formula of the genre (mat rempit, love, horror-comedy). Here are some of the Malaysian movies you need to be watching or be proud of; 

Directors: Nik Amir Mustapha, Saw Teong Hin 

Cast: Mira Filzah, Remy Ishak, Jenn Chia, Mark Odea

Genre: Political Drama 

IMDb rating: 5.7/10 

Director: Namron 

Cast: Rosdeen Suboh, Ario Bayu, Amerul Affendi, Asmara Abigail 

Genre: Drama, Crime 

IMDb rating: 6.6/10 

Director: Chiu Keng Guan 

Cast: Luqman Hafidz, Bront Palarae, Marianne Tan, J.C Chee 

Genre: Sports, Drama

IMDb rating: 7.7/10 

Director: Shuhaimi Baba 

Cast: Maya Karin, Rosyam Nor, Ida Nerina, Aziz Sattar

Genre: Horror, Romance 

IMBd rating: 5.7/10 

Director: Yasmin Ahmad 

Cast: Choo Seong Ng, Sharifah Amani, Ida Nerina, Adibah Noor 

Genre: Romantic, Comedy, Drama 

IMDb rating: 7.1/10 

Director: Adrian Teh 

Cast: Hairul Azreen, Ammar Alfian, Jasmine Suraya Chin, Henley Hii 

Genre: Military, Action 

IMDb rating: 6.9/10 

Director: Shanjey Kumar Perumal 

Cast: Harvind Raj, Kuben Mahadevan, Jibrail Rajhula, Marup Mustapah 

Director: Osman Ali 

Cast: Maya Karin, Aaron Aziz, Lisa Surihani 

Genre: Drama, Romance 

IMDb rating: 6.3/10 

Director: Zahir Omar 

Cast: Bront Palarae, Fabian Loo, Sunny Pang, Ruby Yap

Genre: Crime 

IMDb rating: 6.2/10 

Cast: Ben Pfeiffer, Joanne Yew, Sai Peng Lee 

Genre: Drama, Comedy 

IMDb rating: 7.4/10 

Director: Dain Said 

Cast: Umie Aida, Namron, Bront Palarae, Sofi Jikan 

Genre: Thriller, Horror

IMDb rating: 6.8/10 

Director: Teong Hin Saw 

Cast: Tiara Jacquelina, M.Nasir, Adlin Aman Ramlee

Genre: Fantasy, Drama 

IMDb rating: 6.5/10 

Watch all these movies and you’ll have a sense of patriotism and love for our film industry! #supportyourlocalfilms 

Here’s The Pricing for the All New iPhone 11 Which Will Be Available Sept 27

The malaysian street fashion brands, you may also like, [unfolding galaxy ai] travel beyond boundaries with the..., jaecoo geared to fulfill east malaysian market demand, gear up for malaysia day: know your history, keranamu malaysia — policystreet offers free road tax..., volvo iron women supports representation of women heavy-duty truck..., asian beauty takeover: new brands to look out..., kingston brings next-gen performance with nv3 pcie 4.0..., new travel authorization system coming for malaysians visiting..., our nation’s journey to freedom: happy 67th merdeka.

• The Star ePaper
• Subscriptions
• Manage Profile
• Change Password
• Manage Logins
• Manage Subscription
• Transaction History
• Manage Billing Info
• Manage For You
• Manage Bookmarks
• Package & Pricing

Movie Review

• Filter by --> Latest Sep 12 Sep 11 Sep 10 Sep 09 Sep 08 Sep 07 Sep 06 Sep 05 Sep 04 Sep 03 Sep 02 Sep 01 Aug 31 Aug 30 Aug 29 Aug 28 Aug 27 Aug 26 Aug 25 Aug 24 Aug 23 Aug 22 Aug 21 Aug 20 Aug 19 Aug 18 Aug 17 Aug 16 Aug 15 Aug 14

Latest Reviews

'Blink Twice' review: A haunting, visually stylish debut

'It Ends With Us' review: Light lively love lit

'Terminator Zero' review: Defies franchise fate to blaze its own trail

Best viewed on Chrome browsers.

2020 FIABCI World Prix d'Excellence Awards

World's Finest Property developments in Malaysia.

Thank you for downloading.

We hope you enjoy this feature!

Do you have a migraine? This survey may help you

By taking the survey, it is deemed that you consent to the Terms

Thank you for taking the survey.

Planning your retirement.

Are you ready for retirement?

China Watch

All you need to know inside Special Pullout

All you need to know inside this Special Pullout

Outlook 2021

Protecting lives and livelihood during the pandemic.

Manage Log In

Keep track and manage your login sessions and devices here. It's simple!

We would love to keep you posted on the latest promotion. Kindly fill the form below

Film & TV

14 critically acclaimed malaysian films everyone should watch.

Follow us on Facebook , Youtube , Twitter , and Instagram for the latest stories and updates daily.

Malaysians are huge cinema buffs, yet some of us don’t display as much confidence in the local film industry than we do in foreign movies. Why is that? Malaysia has such rich history and plenty of unique stories to be told, and we think there are tonnes of films that tell those stories beautifully!

That’s why this Merdeka season, we thought we’d highlight some of the highly-praised local films that even made waves internationally. Check out some of our recommendations!

1. The Big Durian (2003)

Source: year of the durian

Never heard of it? Well, you’d be surprised to know that this was the first Malaysian film to ever be screened at the Sundance Film Festival!

This documentary tells the true story of a Malaysian soldier named Prebet Adam, who ran amok with an M16 in Jalan Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur on the night of 18th October 1987.

‘ The Big Durian ‘ was screened in over 30 film festivals, including the Sundance, Hong Kong, and Vancouver International Film Festivals and received international acclaim.

2. Ola Bola (2016)

We know some Malaysians still haven’t seen this masterpiece of a film! Nothing makes us feel more patriotic and nostalgic than this movie.

Source: wikipedia

Inspired by real life events, the movie tells the story of how the Malaysian football team got into the 1980 Olympics. Of course, their journey was far from easy, with each team member facing their own obstacles, but it shows their perseverance and dedication to make their country proud. The film even won an award at the Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival for Best Original Theme Song.

This one’s definitely the movie to watch to get yourself in the mood for Merdeka !

3. Sepet (2004)

Source: imdb

How could we make a list of amazing Malaysian films without including a Yasmin Ahmad movie?

A romantic comedy drama, ‘ Sepet ‘ tells the love story of a Chinese boy, Ah Loong, and a Malay girl, Orked and the societal pressures the couple face during their journey.

Needless to say, this movie was met with local and international acclaim and won many awards, including one from the Tokyo International Film Festival, and one award from France’s Cr éteil International Women’s Film Festival. 

4.  Gubra (2006)

A sequel to ‘ Sepet ‘, ‘ Gubra ‘ continues the story of Ah Loong and Orked. The movie takes place a few years after the events of ‘ Sepet ‘ and is filled with suspense and drama. We suggest getting a box of tissues ready for this one since it also received tonnes of praise from Malaysian movie-goers!

5. Mukhsin (2006)

This movie is the third and final installment in the late Yasmin Ahmad’s ‘ Orked Trilogy ‘. While the previous two movies took place in Ipoh, this movie is set in Sekinchan in the 1990s.

Source: edmundyeo

‘ Mukhsin ‘ takes place before the events of ‘ Sepet’ and tells the story of 10-year-old Orked’s first love, Mukhsin. This movie won an award and received a special mention at the 57th Berlin Film Festival under the children’s film category.

6. Jagat (2015)

Set in the 1990s, ‘ Jagat ‘ is the brutal coming-of-age story of a young Malaysian Indian boy named Appoy, who faces many hardships in life, including an abusive father and uncles who are gangsters and former drug addicts.

The intense movie is a much needed voice for many Malaysians who face this reality on a daily basis, and it’s undoubtedly a beautifully-told story too.

‘ Jagat ‘ received critical acclaim and won numerous awards at the Kuala Lumpur Film Critics Awards and the Malaysia Film Festival. We think this is definitely something every Malaysian should watch!

7. Puteri Gunung Ledang (2004)

One of the more popular movies on this list, ‘ Puteri Gunung Ledang ‘ tells the epic Malaysian legend of a princess who was said to have lived on top of Gunung Ledang , and a Sultan’s journey to win her heart.

This big-budget film won awards at the Asia Pacific Film Festival and at Singapore’s Asian Festival of First Films. Definitely give this a watch if you want to know the whole story of this classic legend!

8. Hang Tuah (1956)

This movie is another retelling, featuring one of Malaysia’s historic icons, Hang Tuah. The film depicts the rise and fall of the legendary warrior, and was the first Malay film to be shot in colour!

Source: culture trip

The film was even nominated for the highly-coveted Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival, receiving international acclaim. Definitely give this movie a watch if you’re in the mood for a good history lesson!

9. The Journey (2014)

Malaysia’s highest-grossing film of 2014 is definitely one for all Malaysians to watch. This Malaysian-Chinese film is about a conservative father who embarks on a journey throughout Malaysia to hand-deliver wedding invitations alongside his daughter’s British fiancé.

Source: zoom movie

‘ The Journey ‘ won a number of awards at the Malaysia Film Festival on the year of its release.

This heartwarming film also shows how people from two different worlds understand each other’s cultures, and is definitely something every Malaysian can be proud of.

10. Petaling Street Warriors (2011)

This kung fu comedy movie is the first of its kind in Malaysia, and took two whole years for just research and preparation! Hong Kong filmmakers even called this a milestone in the Malaysian Chinese film industry.

‘ Petaling Street Warriors ‘ was inspired by the Jianwen Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, who was thought to have fled to Southeast Asia after he was dethroned by his uncle in 1402. Set in 1908, the movie follows a married couple, Duyao and Lichun, who operate a simple Hokkien Mee stall in Petaling Street. The film becomes more action-packed when Duyao finds out that he is a descendant of the Jianwen Emperor.

This highly-entertaining movie is packed with impressive fighting scenes with the famous Petaling Street as its backdrop, so you can definitely recognise some familiar spots in the movie!

11. Bujang Lapok (1957)

This wouldn’t be a proper list if we didn’t include a P. Ramlee movie!

‘ Bujang Lapok ‘ is a classic Malaysian film that everyone needs to watch. It follows the lives of three bachelors, Ramli, Aziz, and Sudin, who live together in a rented house owned by a rich widow. This comedy shows their journey in finding love, and is definitely worth watching for its classic soundtrack.

12. Chemman Chaalai (2005)

‘Chemman Chaalai ‘ (The Gravel Road) is a lesser-known Malaysian film, but it has made waves internationally.

This Tamil language film tells the story of a young Malaysian girl named Shantha, and her family, who live in a remote estate. Shantha dreams of pursuing an education in spite of the many challenges she and her family face from living in poverty.

‘ Chemman Chaalai ‘ received international acclaim and was screened at a number of film festivals, including the Rotterdam, San Francisco, Pusan, Barcelona, Fukuoka, Bangkok, and Nantes International Film Festivals.

13. Ice Kacang Puppy Love (2010)

This Chinese language film is set in 1980s Tronoh, Perak and tells the heartwarming story of a shy young boy whose father runs an Ais Kacang stall in a coffee shop. The movie reveals that the boy has a crush on the daughter of a char kuay teow seller, who also has a stall in the same coffee shop. Being the shy boy that he is, he decided to confess his love for the girl by drawing portraits of her.

With an average of 6.9 stars on IMDB, this movie’s definitely worth the watch if you like a nice, feel-good film!

14.  The Red Kebaya (2006)

This Malaysian period drama is definitely worth watching!

Source: cinematerial

‘The Red Kebaya ‘ tells the story of a famous photographer who grew up as an orphan. The film follows him as he sets out on an expedition to photograph abandoned houses. During his journey, he is bombarded with scenes and sounds that take him back to his troubling childhood, which eventually lead him to understand the significance of the red kebaya .

This film won a number of awards at the Malaysia Film Festival, including the Best Actress category. This thrilling movie is definitely a must-watch!

So, what are you waiting for? Check out these fantastic local films and bask in the wonders of Malaysian cinema!

Also read:  5 Malaysian Bands and Singers You Need to Check Out Today

“The unity government is not united at all” PAS Says After Teresa Kok Takes Legal Action Against Dr Akmal

Ever since DAP’s Teresa Kok shared her take on the Halal certificates for F&B outlets in Malaysia, it has caused...

Signboard in Kepong Removed After Several People Gashed Their Heads on It and Required Stitches

Imagine having to go to a doctor due to an injury caused by a signboard while walking! That’s the unfortunate...

Selangor Govt Buys New RM1 Million ‘Jetpatcher’ Machine That Can Patch Potholes in Just 15 Minutes!

The Selangor State Government on Tuesday (10 September) received its first ‘jetpatcher’ machine worth RM1 million procured from the UK...

WATCH: M’sian Man Enters a School in SS15, Subang Jaya & Allegedly Attempts to Kidnap a Boy

Daryl reached out to WORLD OF BUZZ to share news about a disturbing incident that took place at a school...

Company Behind Welfare Homes Accused of Sodomising Children & Teens Denies All Allegations

Following the arrest of 171 individuals from 20 welfare houses where over 400 children and teens were allegedly sodomised and...

BMW Driver in JB Flees Workshop to Avoid Paying RM38k Bill, Crashes into Staff Who Chases Him on Motorcycle

A BMW driver’s attempt to escape his bill worth RM38,000 left 3 people injured – a mechanic and 2 of...

“Sodomised & taught to sodomise” PDRM Rescues Over 400 Abused Children, Teens from Welfare Homes

PDRM recently rescued 402 children and teenagers from houses of horror where they were severely abused. In a press conference...

“See you in court” Dr Akmal Tells Teresa Kok as She Takes Legal Action & Demands RM25 Mil From Him

Member of Parliament (MP) for Seputeh Teresa Kok has reportedly sent a legal notice to Umno Youth Chief Datuk Dr...

Announcement

Fujifilm Launches Smartphone Printer instax mini Link 3™

FUJIFILM Malaysia (Managing Director: Kensuke Aragane) announces the launch of the smartphone printer, instax mini Link 3™ (Link 3) that...

Revolutionising Fitness: VitaHealth & Watsons Launched a Game-Changing Nutrition Range That’s Winning Over M’sians!

VitaHealth and Watsons launch V-Style: a groundbreaking fitness nutrition range designed for optimal recovery and protection. This exclusive launch event...

Vouchers, Mooncakes & Performances: M’sians Can Light Up Their Mid-Autumn At Pavilion Damansara Heights Mall!

Pavilion Damansara Heights is set to light up the Mid-Autumn  Festival with its ‘Autumn of Lights’ campaign from now till...

Flight From KL Airport Delayed After a Woman Without a Boarding Pass Allegedly Made It onto the Plane

M’sian Visits Dad in KL Apartment 4 Years After They Last Spoke, Finds His Skeletal Remains Instead

Mum’s Plan to Teach 17yo Son About Hard Work Backfires After He Earns RM6k in 10 Days, Wants to Quit School

Dr Akmal’s Response Post About Halal Certs Removed by Instagram, Demands Explanation from Fahmi Fadzil

M’sian Woman Shares Horrific Experience With a Live-in Maid Who Tried to Steal Her Life

Latest videos.

Non-Malays Tries Silat For The First Time! | Malaysians Try

Gen Z Plays COUNTER STRIKE 1.6 | Malaysians Try

Trending today.

There have been articles lately asking why the United States is so hated in some parts of the world. As this week’s Exhibit A from Hollywood, I offer “Zoolander,” a comedy about a plot to assassinate the prime minister of Malaysia because of his opposition to child labor. You might want to read that sentence twice. The logic: Child labor is necessary to the economic health of the fashion industry, and so its opponents must be eliminated. Ben Stiller stars as Derek Zoolander, a moronic male model who is brainwashed to perform the murder.

Malaysia is a mostly Muslim country with a flag that looks a lot like ours: It has the red and white stripes of the American flag, and a blue field in the upper left corner, which instead of stars displays Islamic symbols, the star and crescent. Malaysia is home to the Petronas Towers of Kuala Lumpur, the world’s tallest buildings. But you get the point. If the Malaysians made a comedy about the assassination of the president of the United States because of his opposition to slavery, it would seem approximately as funny to us as “Zoolander” would seem to them. I realize I am getting all serious on you. Obviously, in times like these, we need a little escapism. “Hagrid,” the usually sane critic at Ain’t It Cool News, went to see “Zoolander” feeling “a comedy is just what I needed, and, what I feel, everybody needs at this time.” His verdict? “It’s a perfect film to help people forget everything for a few hours, and it’s gonna be huge.” Well, you know, I wanted to forget, but the movie kept making me remember. I felt particularly uncomfortable during the scenes involving the prime minister, shown as an elderly Asian man who is brought to New York to attend a fashion show where he is targeted for assassination. I would give you his name, since he has a lot of screen time, but the movie’s Website ignores him, and the entry on the Internet Movie database, which has room to list 26 actors, neglects to provide it. Those old Asian actors are just place-holders, I guess, and anyone could play the prime minister.

For that matter, any country could play Malaysia. In years past, movies invented fictional countries to make fun of. Groucho Marx once played Rufus T. Firefly, the dictator of Fredonia, and “The Mouse That Roared” was about the Duchy of Grand Fenwick. Didn’t it strike anybody connected with this movie that it was in bad taste to name a real country with a real prime minister? A serious political drama would be one thing, but why take such an offensive shot in a silly comedy? To some degree, “Zoolander” is a victim of bad timing, although I suspect I would have found the assassination angle equally tasteless before Sept. 11. The movie is a satirical jab at the fashion industry, and there are points scored, and some good stuff involving Stiller and Owen Wilson , who play the world’s two top male models–funny in itself. The best moments involve the extreme stupidity of the Stiller character. Shown a model of a literary center to be built in his honor, he sweeps it to the floor, exclaiming: “This is a center for ants! How can we teach children to read if they can’t even fit inside the building?” Funny, yes, and I like the hand model whose hand is sealed inside a hyperbarbic chamber to protect it. I also admire the ruthlessness with which “Zoolander” points out that the fashion industry does indeed depend on child labor. The back-to-school clothes of American kids are largely made by Third World kids who don’t go to school. In fact, the more you put yourself into the shoes (if he had any) of a Muslim 12-year-old in a sport-shirt factory, the more you might understand why he resents rich Americans, and might be offended by a movie about the assasination of his prime minister (if he had the money to go to a movie). Kids like that don’t grow up to think of America as fondly as the people who designed his flag.

Responding quickly to the tragedy of Sept. 11, the makers of “Zoolander” did some last-minute editing. No, they didn’t dub over the word “Malaysia” or edit around the assassination of the prime minister. What they did was digitally erase the World Trade Center from the New York skyline, so that audiences would not be reminded of the tragedy, as if we have forgotten. It’s a good thing no scenes were shot in Kuala Lumpur, or they probably would have erased the Petronas Towers, to keep us from getting depressed or jealous or anything.

Roger Ebert

Roger Ebert was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013. In 1975, he won the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished criticism.

• Christine Taylor as Matilda Jeffries
• Ben Stiller as Derek
• Owen Wilson as Hansel
• Milla Jovovich as Katinka
• Will Ferrell as Jacobim Mugatu
• Jerry Stiller as Maury Ballstein
• Ben Stiller
• John Hamburg

Based On A Story by

• Drake Sather

Leave a comment

Now playing.

Megalopolis

The Last of the Sea Women

The Wild Robot

We Live in Time

Look Into My Eyes

The Front Room

Matt and Mara

The Thicket

The Mother of All Lies

Latest articles.

FX’s “The Old Man” Starts to Lose Its Step in Season Two

A 9/11 Memory: A Historic Day, and Just Another One

TIFF 2024: Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Elton John: It’s Not Too Late, Paul Anka: His Way

TIFF 2024: Unstoppable, Triumph, April

The best movie reviews, in your inbox.