Tropic Thunder

Interesting movie ... picks up speed and had me rolling pretty hard at the end. This is one where your own movie experiences and familiarity with Hollywood probably help or hurt. Stiller follows the typical Hollywood war movie formula, but uses creative absurdities and parody to give a sub-layer of humor that I’m not sure everyone got. If you’re expecting the laughs to come only out of the dialog and surface images, you would probably label the movie as just OK. If you perceive the parodies at various points, it might make you laugh out loud. My date didn’t enjoy it as much as I did, but she thought I looked pretty funny giggling throughout. Ben Stiller, Matthew McConaughey, Robert Downey, and Tom Cruise were all quite excellent in their roles. Anyone else see it?

MORE: Ben Stiller’s appearance on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart ~ scene with Robert Downey, Jr.

Posted by poputonian on 08/17/08 at 11:07 AM • Permalink

Categories: Movies • Movie Reviews •

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It’s weird. I saw it on Wednesday and I’m still not sure what to think. It was uneven as hell, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

The movie suffered because of Brandon Jackson’s performance. The scenes where he had to face off against Downey Jr were not as potent as they should’ve been because he got steamrolled. (I’m think mainly of the “I’m sorry a dingo ate your baby!” scene) Not saying Alpa should’ve been played by Samuel Jackson, but this wasn’t a fair fight.

Aside for Downey Jr., the biggest laughs were on the periphery, from Cruise but also Matthew McConaughey. They by themselves are worth the price of admission.

Comment by ts on 08/17/08 at 11:52 AM

How will someone who has a “Jack Black problem” fare? I got over my “Adam Sandler problem” with Punch-Drunk Love and my “Jim Carrey problem” with Eternal Sunshine, so I guess there’s still hope for me with Black. I thought Be Kind Rewind would do it for me, but that film was TEH SUCK.

Comment by Kevin K. on 08/17/08 at 12:07 PM

[Spoiler warning]

I agree and would throw in that Jack Black’s role, while not disappointing, didn’t stand out as I thought it might. I probably laughed the hardest when the whole team had escaped and they’re on the helicopter to leave, but Tug (Stiller) says he has to stay behind, that he has a kid now, and then goes back inside the compound. It might be hallmark Stiller humor, but it was comedic genius the way he pulled it off, imo. Of course, there was the added slap-stick when he comes charging back out with his new son clawing at him and he flings the little bastard into the ravine to his demise. Teh funny.