Tropic Thunder Review [2]

Posted by Erik Luers on 08.24.2008

Any film that sheds light on the Blu-Ray VS. HD format war is okay in my book...

A biting satire that loses its teeth two-thirds through, Ben Stiller's Tropic Thunder is a goofy, fun summer entertainment. Its first twenty minutes showcase the cast at its best and most creative, ribbing on generic action stars, Aussie Russel Crowe, and Eddie Murphy and his love of fat suits and latex within a series of trailers for fictional movies (not to mention a rather catchy add for Booty Juice). These trailers may be the highlight of the film; the film never full regains the off the wall energy showcased here. However, this is still an enjoyable, take no prisoners flick, with wit and some well earned laugh out loud moments.

The set up consists of five actors being sent into Vietnam, with the belief that they are shooting an action war picture. Little do they know, the people they encounter in the jungle are not actors, but are vicious Vietnamese drug lords out for blood. Sorry for them, the actors remain oblivious. Perhaps the director, Damien Cockburn (try printing that name on a business card) had an interest in getting the film made, but his character is written out very early on (in a comical yet uncomfortable moment). Thus, the five actors are forced to wander around with their scripts, still believing that they are being filmed by hidden cameras within the trees. Comedy and danger ensues.

Most of the advertising for Tropic Thunder has focused on Robert Downey, Jr. pulling an Al Jolson, appearing in full black face to "convincingly" portray his African-American character. Downey, Jr. himself is committed to the role, which turns out in itself to be quite difficult to play. As his character states, he's "a dude playing a dude disguised as another dude," and even a thespian like Meryl Streep would find that role to be a little challenging (although not unlike the task presented to her in Karel Reisz's The French Lieutenant's Woman). It's a shame that the character is so one note however, as Downey, Jr.'s shtick starts to get very old after a while; what's funny once is not always funny the fourth time around. When we get glimpses of Downey, Jr. as Kirk Lazarus, a dead serious awards baiting Australian actor, we realize just how wide the range of the Iron Man truly is.

By now word has gotten out about the cameos in this film, and they are of a mixed result. As a slimy Hollywood studio mogul, Tom Cruise attempts to prove that he is still human, as he let's himself give over to profanity, gyrating and rap music. He's an angry, greedy man who will do anything for a dollar. Cruise goes all out with it and, for the most part, is quite successful at creating a caricature. I've read that some critics didn't even recognize him on screen, though I find that somewhat hard to believe. He's bald and obese, yes, but he still retains those intense eyes and boyish voice. Those traits prevent Cruise from making Grossman fully come to life. As it is, it's a very funny, amusing Saturday Night Live sketch.

Matthew McConaughey, as Tugg Speedman's agent, is rather bland. He's the sort of actor who always wants to show the audience that he's in on the joke, as if feeling unconvinced that the material could explain itself. Perhaps he would've been better in something like Zoolander. Also, what is with that running gag about acquiring Tivo for Speedman? It falls flat whenever McConaughey brings it up. An inside joke isn't funny if it doesn't let people in on the punchline.

Overall, Tropic Thunder is an enjoyable way to waste two hours. If you heard about the various pickets outside of theaters, please ignore them. The character of Simple Jack is not offensive in the same way Downey, Jr.'s character isn't: the roles are spoofing actors, not the roles they are portraying. The humor isn't controversial as much as it is wild and outlandish, similar in style to Ben Stiller's short lived comedy sketch show in 1992 (itself a biting satire on the entertainment industry). Think of it as a poor man's The Player as written by Ron Kovic, which isn't a bad combination when you really get down to it.

The 411: A smart comedy that hits more than it misses, Tropic Thunder is a nice surprise. While it's certainly not perfect (Jack Black is still hamming it up in exchange for lacking any real talent), Ben Stiller's screenplay is filled with enough fun and solid laughs to be a solid recommendation. Give it a try.

Final Score:  7.0   [ Good ]