Tropic Thunder

Reviewed by: George 'El Guapo' Roush - 07.30.08

****DISCLAIMER**** This review is for entertainment purposes only. Hey, remember that one day when we did that one thing and you hated it? Ya, that was awesome.

 

I’ve made it no secret that I have a love/hate relationship for Ben Stiller. I loved him when he was more the unknown; funny and daring. I hated him in Mystery Men. I loved him Dodgeball. I hated him in The Heartbreak Kid, and now I love him again because of Tropic Thunder. In short, Ben Stiller drives me up the god damn wall. He’s like a girlfriend except I don’t know him. Yet somehow he’s managing to either fuck me or fuck me over like a real girlfriend does. I like Ben Stiller when he isn’t playing Ben Stiller. The Meet The Parents, Along Came Polly, Heartbreak Kid schmuck who makes faces in uncomfortable situations drives me crazy because he has more potential than that. I like the Ben Stiller who plays characters like White Goodman and Tugg Speedman. And speaking of Tugg, I'll stop rambling and get on with this review. I know your time is precious.

 

Tropic Thunder is intent on being the most expensive, realistic war movie ever made based on the life of war veteran Fourleaf Tayback (Nick Nolte). When studio boss Les Grossman (Tom Cruise) discovers that first time director Damien (Steve Coogan) can’t handle his stars or his budget dollars, he has the movie cancelled within days of its shoot. Unwilling to give up, Damien sticks his actors in the middle of the jungle filled with hidden cameras and tells them to make the movie guerilla style. But for the actors, things become all too real when they're confronted with real soldiers running a heroin operation.

 

Tugg Speedman’s (Ben Stiller) dying action career needs this film to rejuvenate his hollywood ranking. Alongside award winning method actor Kirk Lazarus (Robert Downey Jr.), rapper Alpa Chino (Brandon T. Jackson), comedian Jeff ‘Fats’ Portnoy (Jack Black) and newcomer Kevin Sandusky (Jay Baruchel), our actors discover the movie they’re shooting is slowing becoming all too real. Actually, Kirk figures it out right away, but Tugg is so convinced its part of the act, he continues to play his role even after he’s captured and beaten.

 

Tropic Thunder has the one thing going for it most comedies don’t. It likes making fun of itself and its stars. Ben Stiller has no problem looking like an idiot on screen and he’s just as funny in this movie as he was in Dodgeball when he said lines like, “You’re going down like an English Muffin.”, something I still repeat to this day when I’m about to punch an old woman in the face. The opening “trailers” depicting Tugg Speedman’s latest action adventure, were hilarious, as were Jack Black and Downey’s trailers. Downey’s especially as the gay monk having an affair with...well, I don’t want to spoil it.

 

Robert Downey Jr., as the actor who went through an experimental tanning procedure to appear black, is of course, brilliant in his role. I don’t think the man has done anything bad, has he? Well, besides all the drugs, jail time, and breaking and entering. I’m trying to think of another actor who could have pulled this off and none come to mind. There’s even a moment when he appears to be smiling right at the camera during his lines, wanting the audience to know he’s about to crack up. Subtle nuances like this are what make him such a great actor. That and most of the talent in Hollywood sucks balls, so it makes his job that much easier.

 

Jack Black plays Jack Black. Not much more to say.

 

Matthew McConaughey plays Tugg’s agent Rick Peck, hell bent on making sure his client has what he needs. Matthew plays the role pretty straight, and he even manages to keep his shirt on most of the movie which must has been killing him inside. Do you think in between takes Matthew would take off his shirt, look around, rub his chest and just say, “Oh ya, that’s so much better?” while the female extras roll their eyes? When he finds out Tugg has been captured, he goes to Les Grossman to try and get him out.

 

Speaking of Tom Cruise, here’s the guy that pulls the rug out from all of the other actors and steals this movie. His portrayal of an overweight, balding, hairy chested media head was done so over the top, it had audiences in stitches every time he was on screen. Of course, according to Fox News reporter Roger Friedman, Tom Cruise is no longer bankable because he’s 45. Which means this role should never have happened since he’s obviously past his prime, right Roger? I’m wondering if you actually saw the movie since it has actors in it over the age of 40. No, despite Roger’s flawed logic, this is the role that will generate even more buzz around Tom. Whatever you think about him, whether or not he’s nuts because of Scientology, he’s still a great actor and this role proves it. He’s so good in it, I’m hoping the academy notices, but they’ll ignore a comedy performance, instead focusing on some ballkisser who does a bit part in an English drama that will be in theaters for two whole weeks in December.

 

The special effects in the movie were also done very well and used as comedy pieces throughout the film. The big boom boom guy of the shoot, Cody (Danny McBride), makes sure that explosives are set up throughout the jungle to make the movie more realistic. His aid is needed in the third act when the remaining troops go in to rescue Tugg. Cody also finds out some secrets about his inspirational hero Fourleaf that give him pause about wanting to do anything. I like seeing Danny McBride more on screen because it gives fat, ugly, balding mid westerners hope that they can have a career in Hollywood.

Some jokes fell a bit flat, but they were minimal. Peck’s appearance at the end of the movie was pretty stupid and I’m not sure it needed to be in there. I would liked to have seen a mock trailer of Tropic Thunder since cameras were rolling in the jungle or funny news clips during the credits but these are minor complaints.

It’s good to see a comedy come out to wind down a summer movie season filled with super heroes and disappointments (Get Smart, Love Guru, Indiana Jones, X-Files). I’m glad Paramount realized that a film this good would get lost in the madness of June and July. Do yourself a favor and go see Tropic Thunder, you won’t be disappointed. And if Ben Stiller follows this up with some stupid ass romantic comedy, I’m going to kick him in the nuts next time I see him.

 

Get stuck in the shit when you e-mail: george@latinoreview.com