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Web-Exclusive Review: Tropic Thunder
Posted by Rob Ortenzi on 11-Aug-08 @ 03:37 PM
COMEDYTropic Thunder (DREAMWORKS) STARS > Jack Black, Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., Danny McBride, Tom Cruise, Jay Baruchel, Brandon T. Jackson, Nick Nolte, Matthew McConaughey, Steve Coogan, Bill Hader DIRECTOR > Ben Stiller RATING > 4.5/5 OPENS > August 13 Tropic Thunder is Ben Stiller's return to the actor-slash-director role (The Cable Guy, Zoolander) in this satirical poke at blockbuster films, the Screen Actors Guild and--perhaps most importantly--the state of comedy in 2008. The film follows Stiller, along with Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr., Jay Baruchel, and Brandon T. Jackson, a group of pampered, self-indulgent actors making the film version of the story of Four Leaf Tayback (as grunted by an occasionally sober Nolte) and his harrowing tour of duty in Vietnam. If you haven't guessed--this is just the backdrop you'd want for comedic gold. Tropic Thunder opens with the movie-within-the-movie's director, Damien Cockburn (Steve Coogan), and his failure to capture convincing performances from this star-studded cast, but the film truly takes off when the actors are removed from the faltering big-budget mega-film set (and its requisite shout-outs to war sagas past --Platoon, Deer Hunter, Apocalypse Now to mention a few), and thrust into the jungles of Southeast Asia. Cockburn, through the insistence of Tayback, is certain that making the movie "guerrilla style" is the only way to get real emotion out of the over-indulged actors. They are immediately confronted with ambush, capture, and gunplay that, although real, hit all the marks and cues outlined in the script. It is within this--the movie's next act--that Stiller and co-writers Justin Theroux (The Ten) and Ethan Cohen (Idiocracy) really dive into the matters at hand, taking stabs at Hollywood and societal norms and heretofore applauded methodology. Downey Jr.'s blackface portrayal as "the dude, playing the dude, disguised as another dude" in one character actor's quest for Oscar at any cost was casting gold. Through him, dialogue is introduced on race relation, analysis of the self, sexual preference and accepted behaviors. Modern comedic "genius"--as it is often defined by fart jokes, drug abuse and fat suits--is confronted by Jack Black and Tom Cruise (in a movie stealing role as a film mogul) and their, um, well, let's be honest: Fart jokes, drugs and a fat suit. And not unpredictably (but funny nonetheless) Stiller's character--once chided by Downey's character for going "full retard" in an earlier role--finds this "simple" portrayal his saving grace, in more ways than one. It goes without saying that Tropic Thunder is over the top --as was its intention-- and is certain to ruffle more than a few feathers in the societal and entertainment conventions it confronts (Editor's note: The film is already prompting boycotts), but it is in this reveal that the movie-goer is shown that a comedy with actual layers and poignancy, just as Stiller has shown in his past efforts behind the camera, can still be hilarious, and in the end, rewarding. -John Millin Film Link: tropicthunder.com |
