I have to admit that I expected satirical brilliance out of Tropic Thunder, and that is exactly what I got. The movie is an all out assault on Hollywood and all that it stands for. Major credit is due to Ben Stiller, who is the movies co-writer, director, co-star, and producer. The movie is about a Vietnam war movie gone wrong and Hollywood's struggle to make money out of the downward spiraling project. The movie is fearless, going after well-known Hollywood flicks such as Apocalypse Now, Platoon, I Am Sam, and Rambo.
Stiller plays an action star named Tugg Speedman, who hit it big with his ridiculous film Scorcher and its many sequels. But his character's career is collapsing. Tugg chooses to make Tropic Thunder to hopefully revive his career and maybe considered as a serious actor.
Robert Downey Jr. is the one who really steals the show. He plays a highly critically acclaimed actor Kirk Lazarus who takes acting to the extreme. Kirk gets surgery to pigment his skin to be able to play an African-American character in Tropic Thunder. Kirk takes this role so seriously that he stays in character even when the cameras stop rolling. Downey Jr.'s performance is one that will be remembered.
The film has a strong cast. Jack Black plays a drug addicted premadonna comedian. Tom Cruise is great as a money hungry, extremely hairy, hip-hop loving movie producer who has seemed to of lost his conscience. Matthew McConaughey plays Tugg's agent who becomes obsessed with getting his client a TiVo. Danny McBride plays the pyrofreak effects specialist. And Brandon T. Jackson plays a hip-hop star who is trying to break through in acting.
With a combination of clever writing and a strong cast, Tropic Thunder is the funniest movie of this year, so far.
1 comment:
no way, ian, i'd have to disagree with you on that. tropic thunder bored the crap out of me. i admit, jack black jonesing for him jelly beans got a laugh and robert downey jr.... ok, that was the best thing ever (hah, him as kirk lazarus drooling into ben stiller's face at the beginning scene). and who knows why, but i really liked tom cruise as les goldberg the billionaire balla'.
but other than the characters, the movie had no weight. i know it was a satire, and really all about laughs, but without gravitas, these types of films just float away, ready to be forgotten.
Post a Comment