For a movie all about being inside Hollywood, and the ridiculous inner-workings of it all, Tropic Thunder never loses its audience, or forgets to laugh at itself. This low-brow, crude comedy stars a cast of known faces who all “get it.” They become involved with their characters, most of whom lack an ounce of common sense, and have a blast doing it.
The movie about a movie that’s never actually made starring a dude playing a dude who’s actually another dude is a non-stop laugh riot. The opening, chronicling the filming of an over-the-top action sequence on the set of a Vietnam War movie (named of course Tropic Thunder), is actually impressive. The sense of scale, visual effects, and absolutely stunning pyro work makes you wish there was more of it.
Of course, that wouldn’t be much a movie. Instead, the pretentious, egotistical, and flat-out moronic actors are dropped into a jungle to film the movie guerilla style. Since the actors are oblivious to the fact that they’re actually in the Golden Triangle, a zone riddled with violent heroin dealers, they continue on firmly believing it’s all for the cameras.
There’s little doubt that the show-stealer here is Robert Downey Jr. His interplay with Ben Stiller, especially as they discuss Stiller’s failed Simple Jack, is jaw-droppingly offensive and hilarious. In fact, Downey’s character in general is offensive, undergoing a “controversial surgery to play the platoon's African-American character.” The gimmick never gets old.
Jack Black definitely goes too far at times as the drug-addicted Jeff Portnoy. His antics become annoying at times, ranting about nothing and screaming a lot. It recalls Chris Farley, although not in a good way. Tom Cruise’s heavily guarded surprise cameo makes up for it with his hilarious rants and priceless make-up. His movie producer attitude, especially when one of the actors becomes imprisoned, brings out a number of laughs.
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Article comments
1 - El Bicho
While Cruise got a lot of deserved praise, I thought McConaughey was hysterical throughout.
2 - guest
i actually thought jack black stole every scene he was in. the scene of him tied to the tree had me actually laughing out loud. how he can make fun of himself to make the scene work better shows his confidence and vulnerability. the movie wouldnt have been the same without him.