I finally watched Tropic Thunder this weekend, I wasn’t going to watch this movie but after a little convincing from a friend I gave in. I knew Ben Stiller directed and starred in this comedy, so it couldn’t be that terrible (after hearing rumors that is was pretty bad). I’ve always enjoyed Stiller’s movies; this is another one I can add to the “like” list. I’m with most other reviewers on this one, if you like Ben Stiller you will like this movie, plain and simple.
The movies premise is that a Vietnam vet wrote a novel Tropic Thunder and this movie is basically the telling of the making of that movie (a movie within a movie if you will). The director of the movie is told to shoot the movie as a live action film, guerilla style. However the area in which they start shooting the film in is actually populated by heroin drug smugglers. The actors are unaware of this and think everything that happens is part of the movie.
Robert Downey Jr., Ben Stiller & Jack Black all played great rolls in the film, however it’s actually Tom Cruise who steals the spotlight in this one. Cruise plays the movie’s producer Les Grossman, who turns out to be freaking hilarious. I had no idea Cruise could be this funny. I’ve actually never really enjoyed his films, but after seeing him as a “wacko” in this comedy, I think he has found his calling. I would have to say that Downey’s role as an Australian playing a black man is a close second to being funny next to Cruise.
The movie was well directed and acted, it is supposed to be a comedy and it lives up to its genre, being funny. I laughed a lot and would definitely see it again.
