Seen on: August 15, 2008

The players: Director: Ben Stiller, Writers: Ben Stiller, Justin Theroux, Etan Cohen, Cast: Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr., Jay Baruchel, Nick Nolte, Steve Coogan, Danny R. McBride, Brandon T. Jackson

Facts of interest: Stiller also directed "Zoolander," "The Cable Guy" and "Reality Bites."

The plot: A bunch of Hollywood actors are on the run from ruthless killers after their director drops them off in the middle of the jungle.

Our quick thoughts: A solid mixture of satire and spoof, Ben Stiller’s “Tropic Thunder” should wildly entertain those who don’t feel offended by the film’s high dose of rude jokes. DreamWorks’ risqué comedy packs quite a few laughs and boasts plenty of fast-paced action, complete with a brilliant cast of big-time Hollywood players who don’t care to mock their own work.

As the flick opens, actors Tugg Speedman (Ben Stiller), Kirk Lazarus (Robert Downey Jr.), Jeff Portnoy (Jack Black), Alpa Chino (Brandon T. Jackson) and Kevin Sandusky (Jay Baruchel) are currently on location in Vietnam struggling to shoot the big-screen adaptation of a veteran’s heroic war story. Things do not go as planned, however, and with the studio heads threatening to shut down production, director Damien Cockburn (Steve Coogan) has no choice but to step it up.

Sick and tired of dealing with a bunch of popular actors who let their giant egos get ahead of themselves, Cockburn decides to shoot the film guerilla style, which means dropping them off in the middle of the jungle and filming their acting with hidden cameras. Again, things do not really work out the way they should, and before they know it, our protagonists are on the run from ruthless heroin producers who mistake them for narcs.

  

“Tropic Thunder” is first and foremost a parody of today’s film industry, with screenwriters Justin Theroux, Etan Cohen and Ben Stiller taking great pleasure in ridiculing directors, writers, actors, producers, trailers, studio systems and award shows. Most of the film’s humorous attacks on Hollywood hit the right notes and deliver plenty of laughter throughout, delivering mostly vulgar but at least more exciting entertainment than most of the disappointing spoofs we’ve seen over the past years.

True, Stiller’s film is based on a highly original idea, and for most of the flick, the innovation of that concept is preserved. Some of the dialogue causes “Thunder” to drag at times, but the strong presence of action-packed sequences occasionally paves the way for a welcomed change of pace. Once again, Stiller also orchestrates the show behind the camera, and his direction here is nearly flawless and a lot more refreshing than in “Zoolander.” John Toll’s cinematography and Greg Hayden’s editing give the flick its gorgeous look.

Solid screenwriting that’s supposed to make cinemagoers laugh usually requires talented and funny actors, and “Tropic” has plenty of those. Stealing every scene he’s in is Downey Jr. as the Australian Oscar winner who undergoes a surgical procedure in order to portray the unit’s African-American sergeant. In yet another great performance (after “Iron Man”), he’s the one who delivers the best dialogue and provokes most of the film’s laughs.

Stiller turns in a refreshing performance as the action star who’s on the verge of losing his fame, while Jack Black delivers the goods the team’s drug-addicted comedian. Rounding out the cast are Brandon T. Jackson, Jay Baruchel and the great Danny R. McBride, who are all funny in their own way. The film also boasts a bunch of excellent cameos, including Matthew McConaughey as Stiller’s manager. Another actor actually delivers the film’s best cameo, but I’m going to let you find out about him yourself. 

Freaky quote: “Mother Nature just pissed her pants, dude!" – Danny R. McBride

The final word: “Tropic Thunder” is not exactly a masterpiece, but it’s fun enough to keep you entertained for 107 minutes. Whatever your expectations, prepared to be shocked though; these guys just don’t give a damn about political correctness. But hey, they sure make a point in proving that exactly that can still be hilarious. Let’s keep those vibrant action comedies coming. Now go feel the thunder.         

Article by Franck Tabouring