Directed by:
Ben StillerCinematography:
John TollComposer:
Theodore ShapiroCast:
Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black, Jay Baruchel, Nick Nolte, Danny McBride, Steve Coogan, Bill Hader, Reggie Lee, Christine Taylor, Brandon T. Jackson (more)Plots(1)
Ben Stiller's satirical look at Hollywood, Tropic Thunder concerns the production of an epic Vietnam War film that quickly derails thanks to the giant egos of everyone involved in the production. Stiller stars as Tugg Speedman, an action hero trying to segue out of that genre. Jack Black plays Jeff Portnoy, a drug-addicted fat comic also attempting to change his image by taking on such a serious film. They star alongside Kirk Lazarus (Robert Downey Jr.), one of the world's most awarded actors, and a man who insists on immersing himself totally in a role. In this case, that means Lazarus has had his skin dyed in order to portray an African-American soldier. After their outrageous behavior lands the film's director, Damien Cockburn (Steve Coogan), in very hot water with producer Les Grossman (Tom Cruise), Cockburn takes the advice of grizzled Vietnam vet Four Leaf Tayback (Nick Nolte); in order to gain control of his performers, Cockburn drops the actors off in the jungle, planning to film the movie guerrilla-style with hidden cameras. When the group stumbles upon a heroin production camp, the actors are unaware that they are in very real danger. (Paramount Pictures)
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Reviews (11)
During its premiere, I avoided Tropic Thunder by assuming it would be too much of a dejected commercial blockbuster that I wouldn't enjoy. When I saw it on TV later, I had to admit that I had unfairly judged Tropic Thunder to some extent, because it is an entertaining film, made and acted with ease. I can give it three stars with a clear conscience, but unfortunately, I won't go any higher. The film is funny, but not smart, simply because Ben Stiller doesn't have that type of personality. He is a comedian who doesn't aim higher than making the audience laugh and doesn't care about criticism or analyzing the system. It is not a sharp satire, even though it has the potential and knowledge of the film industry to do so. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest was such a satire in its time or more recently Wag the Dog. Stiller prefers sometimes well-functioning, sometimes cheap, straightforward gags. If the film works well as a whole, it is thanks to the star-studded cast, who are clearly enjoying themselves and making fun of their celebrity status. Tropic Thunder parodies specific scenes from films like Apocalypse Now or, especially, Platoon. But at the same time, it is a parody of the manners of favored acting aces and their perpetual dilemma between lowbrow consumer production, which sustains them, and the desire for artistic self-realization and appreciation from professional critics. In the second half, I felt that the film lost not so much its pace, but rather its charm and wit. Much more could have been pulled from all that mystification and confusion... Overall impression: 65%.
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I wasn't expecting this film to be anything special, and it wasn’t, but I had fun. The cast was great, except for Jack Black of course, I’m not a huge fan of his. Those who stood out in particular were Robert Downey Jr. as Kirk Lazarus/Sgt. Osiris and surprisingly Tom Cruise, whose hairy Les Grossman with lumberjack arms was probably the funniest role I've ever seen Cruise play. The story had momentum, it was funny, which isn’t a given with comedies, and there were plenty of one-liners, so I have nothing to complain about.
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Jack Black’s comedic potential is completely unused here; his character could have been played by any unknown comedian and the film would not have suffered for it. Ben Stiller is funny only when he plays “the guy he played in another movie”. Robert Downey is cool only thanks to his black accent. For every one good joke in 20 minutes, there are ten forced or downright unfunny ones. The only thing that stands out and hits the bull’s eye here is Tom Cruise. I like crazy comedies, parodies, war movies and criticisms of Hollywood, but sorry, I like my steaks done right.
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Very wacky and with a bold humour that is very close to my heart. On the plus side, the casting is great, some of the actors were unrecognizable (Tom Cruise wtf? ! I also had a problem with the black Robert Downey Jr.), the plot is fine and fresh, the lines are crazy and Ben Stiller steals the whole movie for himself, after all, he directs it. I believe it was incredibly fun to make. Great line from the movie: “I'll cradle the balls, stroke the shaft, work the pipe, and swallow the gravy. Get it over here, buddy. Let's do this.”
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Stiller is getting smarter and smarter, and he can make fun of things you thought everyone had already made fun of enough a long time ago. After the modeling industry, Hollywood is taking the hit with such vigor it's chilling if it's really true. The excellent technical aspects are just the cream on the cake, but the cherry on top is Tom Cruise - at least for having the courage to make such an ass of himself, and with such grace that I would really give him the Golden Globe!
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