“Tropic Thunder” Will Have You Begging For More
Ben Stiller is coming out with a new comedy/war movie in which he stars, co-writes, co-produces, and directs. The new movie “Tropic Thunder” opens in theaters August 13th and makes fun of pampered actors who need not only acting lessons - but life lessons in order to make their new war movie believable.
It’s true that this movie is far from being perfect and probably won’t break box office records like “The Dark Knight” has - but it is still one that fans should flock to see. The movie portrays hysterical and even a few crude jokes that will have you laughing out of your seat. Don’t forget the crazy antics that will take place throughout the movie in which the Ben Stiller’s character is being tortured and he thinks it is all a part of the movie.
Stiller’s Tugg Speedman is a fading action star whose last, desperate bid for Oscar glory caught him playing Simple Jack, a retarded farmhand who can talk to animals. Black’s coked-up Jeff Portnoy stars in a series of gross-out films built around fart jokes. Downey’s five-time Oscar winner Kirk Lazarus is so into the “method” and physical disguise that he has surgically darkened his skin to play a black actor. Actor-comedian Brandon T. Jackson plays rap star Alpa Chino who promotes a “Booty Sweat” energy drink and “Bust-A-Nut” candy bar.
In the name of authenticity, the film’s British director (Steve Coogan) helicopters this gang along with acting newcomer Kevin Sandusky (Jay Baruchel), a possibly shellshocked technical adviser (Nick Nolte) and an enthusiastic explosives expert (Danny McBride) deep into the jungle. The director proceeds to step on an old land mine, which leaves the troupe without direction.
This setup provides a broad comic canvas for stunts; explosions; battles between actors firing blanks and a drug gang that doesn’t; wars back home between the film’s financier and Tugg’s agent (Matthew McConaughey); and a drug lord played by 12-year-old newcomer Brandon Soo Hoo.
Stiller manages his movie nicely so that all actors get their share of the comic spotlight. Seldom does an ensemble comedy not contain a single weak character or performance as does this one. Oh, by the way, Tom Cruise has a role, too. He is in such a good disguise, though, that few are going to recognize him until the final credits.