Tropic Thunder – An Oscar Nominated Most Expensive True Fake Movie Ever Made?

For the time being, just ignore the title.  It’ll make sense after you’ve watched the movie.

You know what it is like not having it for a long time – whatever it is – and all of a sudden, all the listed movies look so must-watch.  Cynthia needed to do facial so I thought I could either vegetate at home or vegetate at a mall.  I chose to vegetate at a mall and we headed to the theatre thereafter.

In most cases, when it comes to comedy movies, we leave our brain outside the theatre, have a good laugh inside, and the plot stays with us for as long as the film is rolling.  While “Tropic Thunder” may not be consistently funny throughout the movie and there are parts that may go down better to some than others, it is probably (to me) the comedy movie that is so over-the-top, deeper than skin deep, and contains some quality acting moments that you would probably still talk about long after you leave your seat.

Every actor is playing a role that he is absolutely good at, the production is so over-the-top for this genre of film that is rarely seen, and the script is so silly but yet so great that you just have no idea which way it is going.  And to pull this absolutely silly plot off without making the audience feels that silly is kind of an art to me.  Go slightly deeper than pure hilarious, I think the team of talented actors are making fun out of Hollywood itself.  There are plenty of references to other Hollywood movies and actors within the movie.

I have a hard time deciding which actor is my favorite.  Director, co-producer, co-writer, and actor Ben Stiller retains his niche role of being simple and ignorant (I hesitate to use to word stupid).  While his acting does not disappoint, I am amazed by his role as a director and co-writer.  Most people will sing praises to the acting of Robert Downey, Jr.  It took Cynthia and I a few good moments to reconcile the image of a typical Downey and this African-American character who looks like one and talks like one.  I am not a big fan of Jack Black but I guess he has added a new dimension to this comedy.  Matthew McConaughey’s role is brief (by the way, he replaces Owen Wilson whom you probably think that Owen should be in this movie – like I do) but I think it is a good balance to how chaotic and how absurd the rest of the actors play their roles.

My favorite part of the show has to go to Tom Cruise who plays a surprise guest appearance (he was not on the movie promotion).  Three scenes he played and I love them all.  If you intend to catch “Tropic Thunder”, don’t be late.  The 4 fake trailers serve as a great opening to the movie.  And if you are one of the odd balls like me who enjoy staying at the theatre till the very end of the show (read: end credits), you will have your last laugh at the rolling scripts: The actors shot the whole movie in Hawaii, on the fabulously lush island of Kauai.  This is so typical of Hollywood that the filmmakers are poking fun at here – shooting a (realistic) war film not on the ground where the war took place.