Shawn's Tropic Thunder Review

2008 Movie #88 - Tropic Thunder

Tropic Thunder is the last of the big summer movies for me. Everything else from this point on is just pretty meh, this is the last one that I was genuinely excited about. I saw it opening day at a 12:55 opening show, something I haven't done for a movie in a long time. It wasn't a let down either that's for sure, this movie is funny as balls.

You know exactly what you're in for literally the very second the movie starts. In fact some of the biggest laughs come right at the start with the fake commercial and trailers. They're so well done and really could be actual movie trailers. It really sets the tone for the movie and gets things going on a fantastic note.

The strength of this movie really lies in the cast. Ben Stiller is certainly not a favourite of mine. You actually need more than one hand to count the number of movies where he's played the exact same average guy blah blah blah role. In fact let's count them together kids...There's Something About Mary, Meet the Parents, Meet the Fockers, Heartbreak Kid, Night at the Museum, Along Came Polly, Envy, Duplex, Keeping the Faith...ok so you barely need more than one hand but still). However when he does something different and plays a fucking outlandish character, I almost always find it funny. Get those fingers out again kids....Dodgeball, Zoolander, Anchorman, Tenacious D, he actually played characters in those movies and it was funny as shit. Add this one to the list. Wow, that was long and just pointless. At least now you know which Ben Stiller movies I like I guess? Either way I hope he keeps making movies like these ones. He also co-wrote and directed this movie so kudos to you Ben. I can let it slide now that you feel you have to make a Night at the Museum 2, you bastard.

Jack Black actually gets a lot less to do than I thought he would but he has what I think was my favourite overall moment in the movie. Robert Downey Jr, come on you all know that he's fantastic. The guy is hilarious in this movie and is the most consistent character for overall laughs. Unless of course you count Tom Cruise. The man is barely in the movie but hardly a second goes by where he doesn't have you laughing your ass off. This is the best move the man could have made and this will be a huge positive turning point for him I think. That would be good because I mean weird scientology "im the only one who can help car crash victims" shit aside, I'm rooting for the guy. Say what you will but the man has made some fucking fantastic films in the past. So you get 'em Tom!

I could literally go on and on about the cast but I'll stop and just say that it's easily one of the best ensembles I've seen in a comedy probably ever. There isn't a weak link in the bunch. All of these actors fucking bring it and make this movie what it is. They're all willing to poke fun at themselves, other actors and Hollywood as a whole and it makes everything just ridiculously fun to watch.

It's so great to see R rated comedies again, and the fact they're all doing well is great. Well at least I'm assuming this one will also do well. Maybe studios will see this and stop pussying out on so many movies and making them PG-13. I would put this one above Step Brothers, but probably on par with Pineapple Express.

This was less a review and more a breakdown of Ben Stiller's career but you get the idea, the movie is really funny and you should definitely go and check it out.

****/5