New
Releases |
November 8, 2024
|
November 1, 2024
|
October 25, 2024
|
October 18, 2024
|
October 11, 2024
|
October 4, 2024
|
September 27, 2024
|
September 20, 2024
|
September 13, 2024
|
September 6, 2024
|
|
|
Tropic Thunder
(2008)
Directed by
Ben Stiller
Review by
Terry Plucknett
A huge cast of characters light up the screen in
this satire and critique of the entire movie industry.
Tropic Thunder tells the story of the making of a high budget war
epic starring some of the hottest names in Hollywood.
First, there is Tug Speedman (Ben Stiller, who also directed the
movie), a stereotypically dense action star much like a Vin Diesel or
Jean-Claude Van Damme.
Next
is Jeff Portnoy (Jack Black), a goofy, flatulent drug-addict that is
trying his hand at a non-comedic role.
The third star of the movie is Kirk Lazarus (Robert Downey, Jr.),
who channels Russell Crowe as an Australian method actor with five
Academy Awards and a bit of a temper.
These three stereotypes come together to discover they have no
on-screen chemistry.
In an
attempt to save the project, the director (Steve Coogan) takes the cast
into the jungles of Vietnam to film the movie guerilla style, and
hilarity ensues.
Stiller and Downey, Jr. shine in every scene they
are in.
Jack Black tends to
be an unnecessary distraction from the other stronger characters.
Jay Baruchel and Brandon T. Jackson complete the acting posse in
the jungle with enjoyable characters (however, Jackson’s character might
have the worst name in movie history, Alpa Chino).
However, the biggest surprises in the movie were by two of the
biggest names in two supporting roles: Matthew McConaughey as Speedman’s
superagent, and Tom Cruise in a fat suit playing cutthroat producer Les
Grossman.
There were two main highlights of the movie for me.
First was the fake movie trailers for the three stars of the
movie within the movie.
They
were not as strong as the Grindhouse fake trailers, but definitely
kicked the movie off right.
Second was a conversation between Tug Speedman and Kirk Lazarus about
acting methods.
Tug had
attempted a dramatic role as a mentally handicapped boy, but was torn
apart by critics.
Lazarus
gives Tug some acting tips including, “You never go full retard.”
In this scene, as well as in others, there are many film
references that only movie fans will fully understand.
This adds to the charm and hilarity of this movie, which is best
portrayed by Robert Downey, Jr.’s performance.
In this all star cast, Downey, Jr. rises above them all like he
often does.
He is completely
unrecognizable through most of the movie as his character plays an
African-American.
It is one
of the few times you will see Robert Downey, Jr. not playing some
version of himself in a movie.
It truly was the most memorable performance.
It’s not the greatest movie ever, but it is a lot
of fun, especially for an educated movie fan.
Rating:
|
New
Reviews |
Podcast Featured Review |
Podcast Featured Review |
Podcast Review - Zach |
Daly Notes Review |
Podcast Trivia Review - Zach |
Junior Jr. Watch
Podcast Review - Todd |
30th Anniversary
Podcast Oscar Review - Terry |
70th Anniversary
Daly Notes Review |
85th Anniversary
PODCAST DEEP DIVE |
Podcast Featured Review |
Podcast Review - Zach |
Podcast Review - Terry & Todd |
Podcast Review - Zach |
Junior Jr. Watch
Podcast Review - Todd |
10th Anniversary
Podcast Trivia Review - Terry |
Podcast Featured Review |
Podcast Review - Terry |
Podcast Trivia Review - Terry |
Junior Jr. Watch
Podcast Ribisi Review - Todd |
30th Anniversary
Podcast Oscar Review - Terry |
35th Anniversary
PODCAST DEEP DIVE |
Podcast Review - Zach |
Podcast Review - Todd |
Podcast Review - Terry |
Podcast Review - Todd |
Daly Notes Review |
5th Anniversary
Podcast SideShow Review |
10th Anniversary
Podcast Oscar Review - Terry |
Junior Jr. Watch
Podcast Review - Todd |
25th Anniversary
Daly Notes Review |
|
|