Tropically deliciousBy Kamila Szoltysek
Prepare to witness the most outrageous compilations of comedic performances since–well, never. Previous attempts of Hollywood satire simply do not compete with “Tropic Thunder”’s stunning political incorrect-ness.
The “Scary Movie” series has nothing on this.
You’ll find yourself delightfully startled, yet wondering if you’re immoral for laughing at the countless jokes aimed at racial issues and disabled people.
As the film’s writer, director, producer, and lead actor, Ben Stiller is supremely accountable for the success or failure of “Tropic Thunder.” Needless to say, the comedic genius that Stiller has unveiled in this movie yet again proves that a funny gene does exist and was passed down from Stiller, Sr.
“Tropic Thunder” is aimed at revealing the ironies and common themes within the Hollywood community, the propaganda and politics involved in creating a big-budget blockbuster, the media’s obsession and exploitation of the lives of celebrities, and even the stereotypical downfalls of highly successful actors.
In essence, this is a movie about making a movie. But documentary it is not.
Claiming to be the “biggest budgeted Vietnam War movie ever made,” “Tropic Thunder” is the name of the film that is being made in the film. Confusing?
The director of the movie (in the movie) is frustrated with his arrogant and demanding actors. He realizes that the only way that the actors might show honest emotion is if they actually experience real fear, unstaged.
So, he deserts them in authentic Vietnam, with hidden cameras in place.
It’s not long until the plan fails and the actors are spotted by Vietnamese drug lords that assume the Americans are intruders.
After Ben Stiller’s character gets caught, the rest of the actors find ridiculous ways to free their fellow comrade from the hostage situation to which he is oblivious.
Ben Stiller plays Tugg Speedman, a former successful action star who has recently been making some less-than-impressive movie choices. He sees this role as his opportunity to save his dwindling career.
Remind you of Arnold Schwarzenegger or Sylvester Stallone, perhaps?
Robert Downey, Jr., plays the Australian actor Kirk Lazarus, a multiple Academy Award winner known for his serious method acting and dazzling dramatic performances. He, however, has grown a substantial ego and proves that he will take drastic measures to ensure the credibility of the black character that he is cast as when he undergoes a controversial skin pigment augmentation for the movie.
Lazarus then truly embraces his character as a black man and refuses to stop using his impression of a black dialect, even after the group realizes that they are no longer making a movie.
Here, Downey, Jr. could, in fact, be spoofing himself.
Lastly, Jack Black is cast as the third leading actor, playing Jeff Portnoy, a heroin-addicted funnyman known mostly for his series of films in which he plays multiple characters that fart uncontrollably.
Aside from the heroin, a direct blow to comedian Eddie Murphy.
By now, you should realize that this movie is intentionally unintelligent and overly obvious.
I can see how overacting can come naturally to Ben Stiller and Jack Black, but I had my reservations about Robert Downey, Jr. It was truly impressive to see Downey, Jr. overact so effortlessly.
His portrayal of a black man was too funny to be offensive. I dare someone not to laugh uncontrollably at his ignorance in the film.
In fact, the absurd ebonics that Downey, Jr. uses for his character is so overtly foul that it is unmistakably the funniest part of the movie.
Surprises are also aplenty, with several big-name cameos and one particularly controversial actor (Tom Cruise) who plays the hilariously vulgar studio chief, Les Grossman.
However, I can’t fully praise this movie without mentioning my annoyance that the only women in “Tropic Thunder” with speaking lines were the women who were playing themselves, such as Tyra Banks and Maria Menounos.
Nonetheless, my advice for anyone planning on seeing this movie is to watch it on an empty bladder, or at least come prepared with an additional pair of undies or even an adult diaper.
For its satirical brilliance, “Tropic Thunder” should win an Oscar for making fun of Oscars.
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