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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 New York
Let us now praise Robert Downey Jr., whose Method-run-amok goof is the only reason to sit through this comedy about a Vietnam War epic that—oops—accidentally finds its pampered cast engaged in real jungle combat. The star’s Oscar-hound character, Kirk Lazarus, is cast as an African-American soldier; this means Lazarus—and thus, Downey—spends the entire film in blackface. Actor, director and cowriter Ben Stiller undoubtedly intended to mine easy yuks from the shock value, but Downey transforms the cheap gag into a metacomedic coup: He plays a ridiculously extreme thespian with an equally po-faced intensity. Watching Lazarus preach against the perils of going “full retard” to win awards or bemoan how the n-word has held “his people” down with such misguided gravitas, you can’t help but admire Downey’s dynamic act of comic jujitsu.
The actor’s darkened visage doesn’t come off as offensive; it’s Tropic Thunder’s waste of its other talents, notably Jack Black, and the curious laziness in the laughs department that are insulting. If A-list stars want to mock studio-movie bloat and turn their action-flick parody into the exact thing they’re making fun of, be our guest. But when the presence of a certain megacelebrity Scientologist screaming obscenities in a fat suit is mistaken for “edgy” and Downey’s singular achievement has to compensate for DOA bits about delusional Tinseltown dimwits, we have a problem. Stiller used to skewer such blockbuster follies in his early-’90s sketch show with hilarious, acidic acuity. Tropic Thunder is nothing but mild vulgarity mixed with explosions and entitlement, a piss take on Hollywood excess that doubles as an example of it. Physician, heal thyself.
Author: David Fear
Time Out New York Issue 672: August 14 - 20, 2008
User reviews of this film
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- ruthie said...
- Posted on Sep 28 2008 13:50 Oh my God i hav just got back from seeing this film, my mate convinced me to go - it is so stupid and boring - no one in the cinema larfed at all - they cannot all be anal retentives, can they? It is hard to take on board that one of film land's funniest actors (There's Somethink About Mary, Gaylord Focker in Meet the Parents, etc & Emmy Awarded) can fall so flat - Ben do not go here again - it won't help your career ... remember Eddie Murphy oh and Steve Martin.
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- faby said...
- Posted on Aug 24 2008 12:48 The best film next to my two favorite "a night at the roxburry" and "the bird cage". Loved the actors, all of them did an outstanding role for each part! a must see.
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- Kurt Omainy said...
- Posted on Aug 18 2008 16:41 whoever said this movie is bad can take two steps back and literaly fuck your own face!!!
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- Misty said...
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Posted on Aug 18 2008 12:06
Okay Jose.. wow reviewing the reviewer is like going to the theater only to sit & watch your neighbor, then punch him when he doesn't laugh.. Seriously - why bother? Just give us your REVIEW OF THE MOVIE!
AND yes the movie is at times funny - but HIGHLY overrated as the best ever. This reviewer hit the nail on the head about Roberty Downey Jr., Jack Black, and the "un-edgy" performance ofTom Cruise. Yes its funny to see Tom C. curse like an a-hole for 2 seconds. But after that - its just Tom cursing like an a-hole. He might as well fart then entire movie. And his last dance scene - the smile couldn't fall from my face fast enough.
Its just another "go for the gag" comedy with a twist. An actor like Downey Jr. who delivers an awesome performance amidst the flatulence, bloody pulps, and at times IRRITATING attempt at satire of Hollywood.
I mean SERIOUSLY - since when did we not discover that Tinseltown was full of egomaniacs and ignorance? And when will we discover that the success of this movie will prove that the "public" is full of it too? That's the real satire. Oops wait did I hear it TOPPED the Box Office Earning?
I guess the spoof is now on us! - Report as inappropriate
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- mikal said...
- Posted on Aug 15 2008 15:51 Tropic thunder is a hilarious take on hollywood movie culture that insults us idiots who go see these pictures and the people who make them, but its all good fun and Robert Downey junior shows his acting chops in ways I never seen anyone do in a comedy and chops i never knew he had.
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- Leslie said...
- Posted on Aug 14 2008 21:42 Lots of laughs...not politically correct...Downey is fabulous!
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- jose said...
- Posted on Aug 14 2008 11:58 Seriously, why'd you bother reviewing this film. Judging by this and some of your other reviews, its pretty clear that unlike successful critics, you can't watch movies and judge them on their own merits. You instead approach every "mainstream" film with the same art-house-cafe-latte-soul-patch snobbery. Go back to wetting yourself over Woody Allen's new film.
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- paul g said...
- Posted on Aug 13 2008 22:13 Thank you for your review. Very well put.
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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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