Tropic Thunder

Tropic Thunder

I approached Tropic Thunder on video with some hesitance. All too often, I've seen a comedy in the theater and upon watching it a second time, I realize that its really just okay (Wedding Crashers and Knocked Up are good examples). I really enjoyed Tropic Thunder in the theater, but how would it hold up a second time around?

Thankfully, the movie not only holds up well. It might be even better than the first go-around!

Tropic Thunder is about a group of spoiled and annoying actors who are trying to make the most expensive Vietnam war movie ever made. If you haven't seen it, I don't really want to ruin the plot much more than that - but check out the terrific comedic cast you'll be watching: Ben Stiller is Tugg Speedman, a fading action star who is trying to prove his dramatic chops; Robert Downey, Jr. is Kirk Lazarus, the acclaimed Australian actor who takes his method acting too far when he takes the role of the African-American platoon sergeant; Jack Black is the drug-addicted and raunchy comedian Jeff Portnoy; Jay Baruchel plays Kevin, a young hard-working actor trying to make a breakthrough; and Brandon T. Jackson is the rapper Alpa Cino (say it out loud). The platoon is joined by a terrific supporting cast that includes Matthew McConoughy, Nick Nolte, Danny McBride, Steve Coogan, and a surprise guest star I shouldn't ruin.

I should say the less you know about Tropic Thunder the better, but it is definitely more intelligent than you would think. Oh, it has its share of fart and sex jokes - most of them actually not that funny - and it also has a running gag about a previous film made by Speedman, called Simple Jack, that they just push too far. Luckily, even this gag has a great payoff at the end of the film, but it takes a long time to become worth the uncomfortable investment.

Other than that, this movie works equally as a parody of war movies, a post-modern ironic take on movie stars and studios, straight-up action movie, and gross-out comedy. It's a superbly built movie, well-written, and with excellent direction from Stiller (this is easily his best work behind the camera). A subtle, but crucial contribution is made by Oscar-winning John Toll as Director of Photography. Comedies are not supposed to look this good. But Stiller reached out to Toll, the eyes behind Braveheart, Last Samurai, and Thin Red Line, and the result is a lush, colorful, dynamic and EPIC atmosphere. A point most people might not notice unless it is pointed out to them, but a good percentage of Tropic Thunder's success is due to the superb look of the film. I should give some props to Theodore Shapiro, who crafts a score that gets the joke, treats the film as if it were a real war movie, and refuses to play up the comedy. The seriousness of the music makes the ridiculous actions onscreen even better.

The cast all performs to the top of their game. My favorite moments generally come from Robert Downey, Jr. In a role that should have been offensive, he ends up stealing almost every scene he's in. Part of the comedy is that he IS being incredibly offensive and everyone can see that except him. He's so lost in his character, he can't see that what he's doing is so wrong.

Enough said. This movie is a winner, a solid, well-conceived and performed comedic winner. I definitely think you should see it!

MVP: You know, I was trying to decide between Robert Downey, Jr. and John Toll, when I started watching the special features on the DVD. Star, co-writer, and director of the movie, Ben Stiller must have put tremendous amount of time and energy into masterminding this party. Nowhere is this more evident than in one of the DVD features - an entire mag of film is shown from beginning to end, featuring an exchange between Lazarus and Speedman. This is the big dramatic (comically dramatic) scene of the movie and the acting was super intense (comically intense), and watching Stiller incredibly focused and trying to stay in-character while trying to direct the Downey, Jr., keep his eye on the lighting, and pay attention to the million other things that I know happen on a film set...this must have been incredibly difficult! It made my decision clear - for pulling this madcap escapade off, including his directing-writing-starring hat trick, the MVP has to go to Stiller.

TRIVIA: As course, as much as I liked Stiller, there was one thing I felt seemed a bit off. Downey, Jr. is a method actor, so playing one is ironic and funny. There are similar ironic parallels with Jay Baruchel and Jack Black. So to keep that post-modern joke running, I always felt that they should have had a rapper playing Alpa Cino and an action star playing Speedman. Turns out they tried - Mos Def was offered Alpa Cino and the producers were thinking about Sylvestor Stallone or Keanu Reeves for Speedman. That would have been interesting.

Would it have been better, though? I don't know. Maybe not, actually. Stiller and Jackson were pretty terrific!

BEST LINE:

Speedman: I can't believe you people!

Lazarus: Wait! What do you mean "you people"?

Alpa Cino: What do YOU mean, "you people"?

OSCAR NOMINATIONS: Best Supporting Actor (Robert Downey, Jr.)