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Tropic Thunder (2008)
Director: Ben Stiller
Synopsis
Actors on the set of a Vietnam film find themselves in the middle of some actual crossfire.
Movie review
From Time Out Chicago
Attention, fans of Pineapple Express: Here’s the real transgressive comedy of the summer—more or less Stiller’s version of The Last Movie. Like Dennis Hopper’s underseen wallow in post-’60s excess, Thunder concerns a film set where the actors get caught up in local strife. If the movie isn’t quite as consistently crazy as it might have been—the ending feels like a retreat—it still takes more risks in flouting expectations than you’d think a studio director could get away with. Not for nothing does an early scene show an auteur being blown to smithereens.
Like Zoolander, the movie makes hilarious hay of an easy target—celebrity narcissism. Stars go into the jungle to shoot a war film guerrilla style, but even without the cameras rolling, they can only think of Oscars. Stiller is shocked to find that impoverished residents of Southeast Asia still use VHS. A Hollywood mogul assumes the upper hand negotiating with a drug cartel. The climax hinges on the destruction of a TiVo.
What’s being spoofed here is the allure of realism to artists (James Frey gets a jab), even in the face of a hostile reality. Accordingly, casting is across-the-board against type: Stiller essentially plays Stallone; Downey Jr., in a uneasy-making but fearless turn, imagines Russell Crowe playing a black man; Jack Black channels Eddie Murphy (with a touch of Downey); and Cruise goes fat and bald. “What happened here?” Downey asks Stiller at the end. We’re asking too—in a good way.
Author: Ben Kenigsberg
Time Out Chicago Issue 181: August 14–20, 2008
User reviews of this film
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- Luke said...
- Posted on Oct 05 2008 18:38 Was falling asleep 30 mins from the end..how much are these crtics paid? it's got like 80% positive reviews on RT.com and it's awful.
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- Toby said...
- Posted on Aug 17 2008 16:05 This movie was terrible
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- The Joker said...
- Posted on Aug 17 2008 16:00 That movie SUCKS all the anal juice out of my grandmas seeping pores and she has chlamydia!
- Report as inappropriate
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- Joey Chamberlain said...
- Posted on Aug 17 2008 15:44 I didn't laugh once...horrible, hated the story line, Ben stiller met a new low
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- Colin Symthe said...
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Posted on Aug 17 2008 15:40
I saw this movie yesterday and it was so fricken stupid
I rather have a buffalo take diarrhea dump in my ear then watch it again. I thought Blades of Glory was better but everyone know that movie was horrible. - Report as inappropriate
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- Travis Richards said...
- Posted on Aug 17 2008 15:34 I just watched this movie last night and it wasn't all that funny. Hardly anyone laughed. Actually listening to my dad fart is a lot funner.
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- Lindsey said...
- Posted on Aug 17 2008 12:51 I'm apparently the only one here who loved this movie. I thought it was friggin hilarious.
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- Chrsitine said...
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Posted on Aug 17 2008 11:18
I went with a group of friends to this movie ( was not my first choice) and had to LEAVE. I find it totally offensive and could not believe that actors of that caliber would stoop so low and have the audacity to call this satire.
I never really thought Ben Stiller was all that bright, but this proves it. And Tom Cruise...well after his comments about post partum depression- this just adds to my perception that he IS a spoiled brat not in touch with reality.
I would not waste my time on this.... even for free. - Report as inappropriate
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- Brenna said...
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Posted on Aug 17 2008 11:13
All the guys I was with loved this movie, I thought it was just plain stupid and can't recommend it.
I guess it depends on your maturity level. - Report as inappropriate
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- Ann said...
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Posted on Aug 17 2008 11:06
Summer sleeper, certainly NOT summer block buster.
Save money and watch it on TV Links. It's sure to show up there any day now. - Report as inappropriate
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- Theresa said...
- Posted on Aug 17 2008 10:21 Save your money,or see another movie, this one's not worth the time or money
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- Brent said...
- Posted on Aug 17 2008 10:19 This movie is lame.....don't waste your gas money on it.
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- Allyson said...
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Posted on Aug 17 2008 10:16
With all the hype and controversy, I was expecting a cutting edge film. Instead, all I got was the same old tired male teen style of humor. Nothing sophisticated about it.
It's boring and predictable at best, offensive and uncomfortable at it's worst. - Report as inappropriate
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- Jack Dean said...
- Posted on Aug 17 2008 07:25 Wow, what hype for such a disappointing movie. Talk about trying to make something out of nothing. Save your time and money. It always amazes me how so called stars will make any movie just to keep working. This one is a stinker. Stay home!!
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- Julie said...
- Posted on Aug 17 2008 06:20 Terrible show. I can't believe they would sink so much money into this film and have such garbage content. Don't waste your time.
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Cast & crew
Director: Ben Stiller
Cast: Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr, Jack Black, Brandon T. Jackson, Jay Baruchel, Nick Nolte, Steve Coogan, Danny R. McBride, Bill Hader, Brandon Soo Hoo, Reggie Lee, Matthew McConaughey, Tom Cruise full cast
Genre(s): Comedy
Rated: R
Duration: 107 mins
US Release: Aug 13 2008
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