Movie Review: Tropic Thunder

By Kevin Coll • August 13, 2008 • 5 Comments

Tropic Thunder

Director: Ben Stiller

Writer: Ben Stiller, Justin Theroux, Etan Cohen

Starring: Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr, Jack Black, Nick Nolte, Jay Baruchel, Danny McBride, Steve Coogan, Brandon T. Jackson, Matthew McConaughey, Tom Cruise and Bill Hader.

Release Date: August 13, 2008

Rating: Rated “R” – for pervasive language including sexual references, violent content and drug material

Running Time: 107 min

Synopsis:

Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Robert Downey Jr. lead an ensemble cast in Tropic Thunder,an action comedy about a group of self-absorbed actors who set out to make the biggest war film ever. After ballooning costs (and the out of control egos of the pampered cast) threaten to shut down the movie, the frustrated director refuses to stop shooting, leading his cast deep into the jungles of Southeast Asia for increased realism, where they inadvertently encounter real bad guys.

I am not going to beat around the bush. Tropic Thunder is the best movie of the year. A wickedly smart and provoking comedy this movie is nothing short of brilliant. Directed by Ben Stiller, Tropic Thunder, combines farce into a whole new comedy that exceeds the word outrageous into something else entirely. Last week Chud.com said that Pineapple Express was a new comedic revolution, a new take on comedy, I disagreed with them.

Tropic Thunder, however, is exactly that. The innovative means behind this film is simple, and that is the unique story, that combines antics, comic prowess that never leaves. Perhaps the most surprising comic performance was Tom Cruise’s role as rich, corporate tycoon and film money man, Lee Grossman. If Cruise did more movies like this I would like him more. This film truly hits a massive “thunder” clap (no pun intended) with comedy seeking audience goers whoever they may be, fanboys to average film fans.

It has been almost seven years, since Ben Stiller directed his last movie, Zoolander, and with this movie he has a much larger cast, a much larger locale and a larger piece of work. The film seems to fit the same idea behind Zoolander, revolving around a character who has reached is prime and his career is dwindling. Stiller possesses this character into his newest creation in the form of Tugg Speedman, an aging one-time action super star whos career is on the wane.

The film also follows some other interesting despots thrown into the mix with Downey playing a classically trained Oscar winner, Kirk Lazurus, Black playing a comedic over the top actor named Jeff Portney and Brandon t. Jackson playing the Rapper turned actor, Alpa Chino who sports his energy drink, Booty Sweat.

(side note: I was lucky enough to get my hands on some Booty Sweat and let me say it was a great pick-me-up! – Also Check me out! I just Got the Booty Sweat Effect)

Other ensemble roles that make the movie swing is Nick Nolte, Steve Coogan, Jay Buruchel and Matthew McConaughey. All of whom bring some great comedic and unexpected performances to the film. Perhaps the 2 characters I enjoyed the most were Danny McBride, doing his usual intense, cuss mouth persona better than usual, and the aforementioned Cruise, who brings to life a Hollywood Hell Hound that grazes us with a character that would normally be too much but instead with all his chest fur, bald hair, 80′s club owner look, mixed with an attitude that sprouts nothing but terror out of his mouth is by far the best part of the movie.

When the band of characters let their egos in they are instantly thrust into a crazy survial situation from some island drug rebels, known as the Flaming Dragons. They are led by the craziest thing I have ever seen in a movie, a 12 year old, cigar-chomping, heroin producing, psycho child, who looks like Indiana Jones’ Shortround on crack!

Ultimately, the main and ensemble cast alone makes the movie but also Stillers ability to direct the action sequences really surprised me. Truly this movie had it all, gunfire, explosions, violent action, verbal eruptions and visual grossouts, which keep the film bouncing along for one the most entertaining cinematic experiences you could have this year. Lastly, the soundtrack was awesome too.

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