Review: ‘Tropic Thunder’

Travis:

Hold onto your pants and put down that extra large soda pop and popcorn because you’re not going to stop laughing long enough to enjoy it. ‘Tropic Thunder’ is one movie that surprised the Hell out of me more than any other so far in 2008. I figured it would be funny, but I had no idea it was going to be this damn good. Surprised only barely touches on my experience, especially when I realized that Ben Stiller co-wrote and directed this film. I’m admittedly not the biggest fan of Stiller’s but after seeing ‘Tropic Thunder’ I am giving him brownie points as a filmmaker over being an actor.

‘Tropic Thunder’ is a comedy, a parody, a farce … all rolled up into one really well-made comedy-action laugh ‘n roll movie. The story is of three big-shot actors who are making a war movie (Tropic Thunder) based on a book of the same title by Sgt. Four Leaf (Nick Nolte), which is supposed to be based on his true-life war story. Nolte is wonderful and makes a priceless Nolte-style addition to this film. Speedman (Ben Stiller), Portney (Jack Black) and Lazarus (Robert Downey, Jr.) are highly successful and pretentious high-dollar Hollywood actors and Damien (Steve Coogan) is the failing rookie director that can’t keep his stars in line. When Four Leaf sees the film going into the toilet, he convinces Damien to chopper the stars out into the heart of the jungle and shoot the film in “the sh**” guerrilla style. What begins as a novel effort to salvage the movie that the studio was about to dump, very quickly turns into a real life battle to survive for the actors.

From the very beginning, ‘Tropic Thunder’ had me busting my gut and that’s a lot of gut to bust. After the “real” trailers we are treated to three “fake” trailers … one for each of the “fake” movie stars. These trailers are worth seeing in and of themselves, parodying not only the characters but also the genres they inhabit. Then, the DreamWorks logo emerges and we enter into the actual movie. ‘Tropic Thunder’ often pays homage to its “serious” predecessors with references to films like ‘Full Metal Jacket’, ‘Apocalypse Now’ and ‘Rambo’. The soundtrack is great also, if you’re into the classic rock tunes of the late 60’s … staples of the Vietnam War sub-genre of movies.

In addition to all of this, Matthew McConaughey shows up with an unannounced role as Speedman’s agent and Tom Cruise of all people nearly steals the show with his unannounced role as the big-shot Hollywood movie mogul Les Grossman. Having dusted off his role as Frank T.J. Mackey and amplified it to the extreme, Cruise delivers what I consider to be his most entertaining performance ever. Robert Downey, Jr. is the actor who gets my attention in this film (next to Cruise) for yet another great performance in his recent streak of comeback movies, proving to audiences that he’s not down for the count. Rounding out the cast are Brandon T. Jackson and Jay Baruchel as the remaining two soldier-actors, Danny McBride plays the explosion-obsessed pyro-technic Cody, and Tobey Maguire and Mickey Rooney make cameo appearances. Perhaps the best comedy of 2008, ‘Tropic Thunder’ is definitely worth your ticket price and more in laughs.

(4 out of 5 stars)

Ram Man:

Ben Stiller’s new film Tropic Thunder is a satirical look at Hollywood and the action film industry. The laughs begin before the film even gets started. Tropic Thunder sets up it’s fictional stars with phony trailers of the latest projects the stars have been working on. Tugg Speedman (Stiller) is in a trailer for “Scorcher 5” while co-stars Kirk Lazarus (Robert Downey Jr.)has one for his Oscar nominated film “Satan’s Alley” with priests as lovers (cameo by Toby Maguire). Jack Black stars as Jeff Portnoy, the fart joke king of the film industry is flagellating the latest installment of his fart family comedy and lastly the trailer/commercial for “Booty Sweat” energy drink from rapper turned actor Alpa Chino (Brandon T. Jackson). This prepares you for the laugh riot you came to see ..Tropic Thunder.

As Tropic Thunder begins you get some behind the scenes interviews. Kirk Lazarus (Downey Jr.) goes through skin pigmentation surgery just to play the role of a black soldier. Lazarus, a consummate professional, never breaks character until the film is in the can. Director Damien Cockburn (Steve Coogan) just five days into shooting is already a month behind schedule and must deal with a self absorbed Tugg Speedman(Stiller). The final nail is driven home in Cockburn’s coffin when a million dollar effect goes off without any cameras rolling. This prompts a call and ass chewing from the head of the studio Lee Grossman, aka Hollywood’s Satan. Grossman provides some of the funniest scenes in the film, and you will never believe who is playing him (no I’m not going to tell you..go see the film!) Sgt. Four Leaf Tayback (Nick Nolte) who lived through the war and wrote the book which the film is based tells Cockburn to take these “pansy-asses out into the shit” and that’s the only way the film is going to be made. After a few drinks they are all on a chopper on their way into the jungles of Vietnam!

The only people that know the location of filming are on that chopper. Speedman, Lazarus, Chino and portnoy are all told the only way back to the camp is on the chopper and it’s not coming back until the movies is done and Cockburn calls for it. Tugg believes that the are on location and every thing is staged ..even after Cockburn steps on a land mine and blows himself to bits. he is determined to finish the film. Things fall into place just like in the script down to the fact that speedman is captured by the enemy only these guys are real drug smugglers. They are ready to kill Speedman until they realize who he is..Tugg Speedman the star of Simple Jack (the only video they have). Now they get Lee grossman to pay a ransom to get Speedman back alive. Grossman says kill him. So it is up to our group of “soldiers” to rescue Speedman.

Tropic Thunder is a riot and should become an instant classic. Move over Sarah Marshall and Step Brothers Tropic Thunder is the comedy of 2008! It’s like they took Apocalypse Now and changed it into a comedy. There are appearances by Matthew MacConaughy as Speedman’s agent Rick Peck, who is all about Tugg (his only client) and making sure he has Tivo on location. Danny McBride is very Funny as Cody the special effects tech. Stiller who penned this screenplay shines and leads his group into comedic glory. Tropic Thunder will change they way you look at Hollywood action films … for the better!

[rating 4.5/5]

Zac:

Ben Stiller returns to the director’s chair to direct this satirical farce on Hollywood and gets pretty great results out of it.

The film opens with a number of faux trailers and commercials for the stars in the film and they are pretty funny, but I won’t spoil those here; but they aren’t quite as good as Grindhouse. We then open on the filming of a major battle scene before focusing on a touching moment between a dying “Foley” and “Sgt. Osiris”. Unfortunately, Tugg Speedman, the actor portraying Foley can’t cry on cue and they miss a big “one time” shot where they napalm the tree line behind all of the drama happening on screen. Cut to Access Hollywood who gives us a background on the film, it is based on a memoir of a man, the real Foley (Nick Nolte), who returned from a top secret suicide mission during the Vietnam War, it stars action superstar Tugg Speedman, comedy mega star Jeff Portnoy, and method award winner Kurt Lazarus. The film is way over budget, is being sloppily handled by a first time director Damien Cockburn (Steve Coogan), and is being over produced by the studio’s mega psychotic producer.

Cockburn, in desperation to get his movie back on track, turns to Foley who suggests they drop the actors in the middle of the Jungle and simulate the battles while shooting guerrilla style in the woods. So Cockburn and Foley, with the assistance of pyro expert of the film Cody, air drop the actors in the Jungle ready to start blowing stuff up around them while they act out their scenes. Unfortunately for the actors, they are spotted by a group of drug dealers who are producing heroin in the jungle and are mistaken for a D.E.A. task force coming in to shut them down; and mis-conception hilarity ensues.

First off, the film is ridiculously silly. It isn’t trying to be high brow or classy, it is trying to be a fun and crazy farce that is still smart at skewering what it is aiming for. The absurdity is on par or higher then Stiller’s Zoolander and knowing that going in helps you to be able to better take the material. The film is also gory, so the faint of heart might want to be prepared for some grotesque violence at times. The film is also a bit all over the place, while remaining fairly coherent, but it does meander occasionally; thankfully to funny antidotes that are worth the detour most of the time.

The acting in the film is excellent as everyone involved perfectly buys in to what they are doing. The weakest turn is by Matthew McConaughey, but he is still funny, and I think the only reason I had any problem with him is because you could tell it was written for Owen Wilson and he would have fit perfectly. Ben Stiller plays the dumb action star bit to a T in Tugg Speedman. Walking into danger with reckless abandoned. Jack Black plays Jeff Portnoy who is a tweaked out addict off his rocker as he is out of drugs in the jungle; Black also gets to spout one of the best monologues in the film. Danny McBride delivers quite a few good one liners and has some great banter with a shell shocked Nick Nolte. Jay Baruchel plays the straight man of the group while also serving as a tool for loss of innocence in the film. Brandon T. Jackson also does an excellent job as the entrepreneur rap star, Alpa Chino, trying to make a name for himself in almost every medium. Nolte also does a decent job as the crazy ex-vet with no hands that is out to get more than he might let on. Robert Downey, Jr. steals the show though as Kirk Lazarus, who after under going a controversial procedure dyeing himself black, stays in character as the 1960’s black man over the course of the whole film. It is an impressive feat, borderline offensive to African American’s, but always funny in the end. Some of the things he says are just so ridiculous I was saying “what?” out loud on a number of occasions. The reason this caricature works though is because the film is so ridiculous that we can accept this parody and just find the humor in the absurdity.

In the end, Tropic Thunder is at times a brilliant farce that has a couple of dropped notes along the way. The movie is filled with far more laughs than the few jokes that fall flat and Downey’s performance is worth the price of admission alone. Yes the film is silly, over the top, and absurd, but if you know that going in there is plenty to enjoy in this picture.

(4 grenades out of 5)

Charles:

Tropic Thunder has to be one of the funniest movies I’ve seen in recent years. I’d really like to think this’ll put Ben Stiller on THE list with all of those Hollywood top dogs that can both direct a movie and star in it as well. To be honest, I haven’t always been a fan of Stiller. But in the past couple of years, he has turned in some really good performances and this time around, I’d say- he’s got an ace in the hole! The film starts out with the BEST fake trailers (since Grindhouse), featuring Tobey Maguire in an unforgettable role. In the beginning of the film, its a spoof on war, and by time the real action hits, its a film within a film, displaying the violence and comedy of war. How could this be, you ask yourself?

Well, watch the film and you’ll see just what I mean. The reason why this is absolutely destined to be a hardcore hit with audiences is because of its outta hand ensemble cast. I mean, WOW! It’s ridiculous. We have of course, Ben Stiller, but then add in Robert Downey Jr, Jack Black, Jay Baruchel, Steve Coogan, Danny McBride and Nick Nolte?! And they all give us some terrific comedic performances. Tom Cruises extended cameo proves to be the best of the year as a studio executive who curses up a storm and hippity-hops to some gangster rap, while Matthew McConaughey plays agent/manager to Ben Stiller, and just shines. Ultimately, Downey steals nearly every single scene as (Kirk Lazerus) the platoon’s very white, African-American squad leader. Thank god somebody like Stiller can deliver a rude, crude and over the top comedy, in the likes of a  genius: Judd Apatow. This bloody movie is a hit and now I can safely bet on Stiller for a truly great time at the theater!

(4 out of 5 stars)

Jeremy:

You’ll know from the start whether or not you are going to like ‘Tropic Thunder’.   Even before the Dreamworks logo pops up, we get four fake ads.   The first ad is a commercial for rapper Alpa Chino’s new energy drink, Booty Sweat.   The following three ads are fake previews for coming attractions starring the three main characters of the film ‘Tropic Thunder’, Tug Speedman (Ben Stiller), Jeff Portnoy (Jack Black), and Kirk Lazarus (Robert Downey, Jr.).   This opening tell you right from the start the direction this film is going.

‘Tropic Thunder’ is a hilarious film, one of the funniest seen in a long time.   Directed, written by and starring Stiller, it is a sardonic look at the way Hollywood films are made, the way actors are treated and treat others, and the way the commercialized world views real acts of violence.

The opening scene of the film follows a massive battle in Viet Nam that plays out with the same amount of anxiety and volume as the opening scene of ‘Saving Private Ryan’.   We soon realize, however, that this is just a movie within a movie.   The soldiers getting their heads and limbs blown off are more worried about their screen time than the actual events they are depicting.

Due to the increasing budget, being behind schedule, and fear for his job on the film, the director decides to take the main actors deep into the jungle, let them loose, and shoot the whole experience reality TV style.   Unfortunately, the ‘controlled’ set falls apart very quickly, as the group stumbles upon a group of heroine dealers.

Stiller wrote the film with actor Justin Theroux and Etan Cohen.   The story in general is nothing new.   ‘The Three Amigos’ hit this premise out of the park over 20 years ago.   The character elements are what really give ‘Tropic Thunder’ its style.   Stiller’s pomposity, Black’s screaming and flailing about, and Downey’s… well, let’s get to that later.   All of the elements seem at first like one punch line jokes that carry on for 100 minutes, but the film is much more than that.

The three leads are the three leads only because of name recognition.   Every character in the film get their fair amount of time to shine.   Nick Nolte, who plays the soldier whom the story is based on, is always brilliant.   Steve Coogan, who plays the film’s director, is funny in his nervousness.   The pyro expert on the film is played by Danny McBride, and, if you thought he was funny in ‘Pineapple Express’, you haven’t seen anything yet.   Brandon T. Jackson, who plays the before mention Alpa Chino, and Jay Baruchel as the group’s youngest member are also great.   The less said about the film’s other secondary characters the better other than these roles are hilarious and the actors who play them are tremendous surprises.   There are reviews that give away who these actors are, but the fact that the advertisements do not is sheer brilliance.

Much has been said about Downey’s role, that of Australian method actor, Kirk Lazarus who undergoes facial structuring and alters his voice in order to play an African American.   This is by far the funniest aspect of the film.   he plays the role with an absolute superiority that seems to channel the spirit of great Blaxploitation stars like Fred Williamson and Richard Roundtree.   The only thing missing is Downey chomping on a half-smoked cigar.   The role’s offensive nature might shoot down any aspirations of Downey getting an Oscar nomination, but he definitely deserves one.

The last half of the film is ridiculous, delving a bit into ‘Hot Shots’ territory at times, though it never hits that level of hilarity seen in the first half.   This is particularly evident in the handling of violence.   During the opening battle and spread throughout a few more scenes, the blood and body parts fly like a 1970’s samurai movie.   The buckets that rain down early on are absent from the film’s final scenes, and that ridiculous aspect could have improved on what is already funny as hell.

‘Tropic Thunder’ is a hilarious movie from beginning to end.   It has been a long time since my jaws have hurt this much from laughter.   It is absolutely the funniest movie of 2008, and there doesn’t seem to be anything on the horizon that looks to push it out of the way before the end of the year.   It is the very definition of the term ‘laugh riot’.

(4 stars out of 5)

Michelle:

When actors take on serious roles in epic movies with high hopes of winning awards….oh wait, that’s exactly what’s being parodied in ‘Tropic Thunder.’ Director Ben Stiller, along with the personalities of Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black, Brandon T. Jackson, Nick Nolte, Danny McBride, Matthew McConaughey, and Tom Cruise (in a dancin’ performance), let the audience in on the joke by making fun of themselves in this narcissistic comedy. Shot last summer in Hawaii, with a $90 million budget, the action film send-up is the most expensive R-rated comedy ever and well worth the price-tag. The mock ads and trailers, with some amusing cameos, are almost as funny as what we saw in ‘Grindhouse.’ ‘Tropic Thunder’ certainly provides some of the best laughs during the waning days of summer, if not the whole year.

(4 stars out of 5)