Just because its a theme song, doesn't mean its not true
post a comment | posted Aug 18
Its hard not to look back on Tropic Thunder without finding several lines and situations that were out and out hilarious. A classic satire on Vietnam movies and war movie in general, Tropic Thunder is the story of a real life war in a fake movie that isn't being made, but was supposed to be made. A blockbuster movie, adapted from a novel written by a war veteran "Four Leaf" Tayback (played by Nick Nolte), with Hollywoods biggest stars of comedy (Jeff Portnoy, played by Jack Black), drama (5 time Oscar winner Kirk Lazarus, played by Robert Downey Jr) and action (Tugg Speedman, played by Ben Stiller).
During initial filming the actors aren't cooperating, the shots are failing the movie seems doomed (the fake movie, not the real movie -- yet); in an effort to get more "authentic" acting, first time director Damien Cockburn, takes the actors to the jungle and drops them off (hiding cameras throughout). Unfortunately, Damien gets blown up by a land mine; which the actors believe is just an effect; and real drug lords happen upon the heavily "armed" actors and begin to attack. What ensues is a long series of misunderstandings, not unlike Three's Company (but set in a jungle).
There are fairly hilarious moments, but also very long periods of tired and dull moments. The absolute best part of the movie is Tom Cruise. Yes, Tom Cruise. Who plays a bald, fat, hairy, crass movie executive - pretty much Jerry Maguire (if Jerry Maguire were real and not a Hollywood invention), as well as the opening "fake" trailers (for movies the actors; Tugg Speedman, Kirk Lazarus, Jeff Portnoy). The movie is both violent, vulgar, campy and boring. Other than that, its good, but not great; and certainly not something one has to see on the big screen.