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.

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