"Tropic Thunder"

By: Matt Duncan
Coastal View News

After 15 minutes of previews, moviegoers rushing to see “Tropic Thunder” have to sit through a few more coming attractions. First, a commercial for an energy drink called “Booty Sweat.” Second in the lineup is a preview for the most stereotypical action movie one could ever imagine … and then the audience begins to catch on—this is part of the movie. Yet audiences who need a bit more than slapstick comedy to crack a smile will continue to be confused throughout the film. Forget a war between nations, or bickering amongst agents, actors and moguls; the real conflict in “Tropic Thunder” is its own style. Is it a clever satire or is it a silly spoof? Splitting hairs, one might think, but the ironic voice in this star-studded movie is confused.

Three big-time actors, each dominating their respective genre (action, comedy and drama), are brought together for what is billed as “the greatest war movie ever made.” Tugg Speedman (Ben Stiller) is the perennial action star, with guns and biceps ablaze. Jeff Portnoy (Jack Black) is a slapstick master who makes a living off farting while dressed in various fat suits. Kirk Lazarus (Robert Downey Jr.) is the Oscar winner, winning the hearts of audiences with powerfully emotional performances. With such a cast, how could anything go wrong?

Yet, as the actors fail to gel with each other and as the enormous budget gets stretched, production company executives begin to put the squeeze on the movie’s rookie director (Steve Coogan). Feeling the pressure, the director decides to throw the cast out into the middle of a Vietnamese jungle in an attempt to motivate the spoiled stars. At first the actors feel the mixed emotions of leaving their posh hotels while at the same time being a part of something fresh and exciting. However, as time goes on and the war blazes, the actors begin to realize that they are no longer on the set of a movie. Instead, they have found their way onto the territory of a dangerous Vietnamese drug ring, placing them in real-life peril.

These phony actors are forced to look below their superficial exteriors to find a way to live what they have only pretended to do for so long. One of the actors is captured and put in serious danger, and the others take it upon themselves to bring him back. Meanwhile, agents and executives back home are mostly unaware of what is happening. With stumbling hiccups, these Hollywood stars attempt to become real heroes.

Good actors can always deliver good lines, and there are certainly some laugh-out-loud moments produced by Jack Black, Ben Stiller and Robert Downey Jr. in “Tropic Thunder.” Yet, what began as a witty commentary on stereotypical movies ended up being more like a spoof in the mold of “Hot Shots” or “Naked Gun.” The movie these actors are supposed to be creating is ridiculous in itself, but the story that unfolds once the cameras stop rolling is just as void of merit. Thus, it is difficult to place this movie in its cinematic space. If there were a more consistent motif being portrayed, it might be easier to laugh at the circumstances, but as it is, “Tropic Thunder” is a sprawling story punctuated by moments of hilarity. Those who liked “Hot Shots,” “Naked Gun” or even “Dogma” are sure to like this movie, but those who yawned at the aforementioned flicks might lack the patience for “Tropic Thunder.”

“Tropic Thunder” is rated R for pervasive language including sexual references, violent content and drug material.