Tropic Thunder

Released: 2008

Reviewed: 12.24.09
Star rating: 4 out of 5

Robert Downey Jr (Kirk), Jack Black (Jeff), Jay Baruchel (Kevin), Brandon Jackson (Alpha Chino), Ben Stiller (Tugg), Steve Coogan (Damien), Nick Nolte (Tayback), Brandon Soo Hoo (Tran), Matthew McConaughey (Peck), Tom Cruise (Grossman).

A movie about men making a movie about a book isn't going very well. In an effort to inject realism the Director drops his hard to manage prima donna actors into an Asian jungle where he has hidden cameras. What they don't realize is that rebels operate in the area and making a war movie could result in a real war.

I liked how this one starts out with hysterical fake movie trailers and advertisements which serve also as character background. With the laughs already started they just keep coming as character and plot development start to take place. After that the plot takes a back seat to the comedy which is what this one is all about.

Although this was a campy flick, the acting was great. Downey was hysterical and had I not known it was him up front I probably wouldn't have recognized him. Black is a nutball as always while Stiller was his usual over the top silly. Cruise was awesome in his cameo as an obnoxious entertainment executive delivering great laughs.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were all well done and the film apparently had a decent budget. Special effects were a bit campy but complimentary to the film. Dialogue was campy of course, sound was nicely done, and the soundtrack was suitable.

Overall a nice, funny no-brainer you can just sit back and laugh with. The best part is that it looked like everyone had fun making the movie which makes for some interesting performances. Some foul language, sexual innuendo, silly guts and gore but this should be fine for teens and above.