Tropic Thunder Review

Ok, so nearly a week after I watched the movie, here's my take on Tropic Thunder.
Robert Downey Jr. stole the movie. He was easily the most watchable character, almost everything that came out of his mouth I laughed at - or didn't understand - but mostly laughed.

The story works well as a satire on the way Hollywood works and the way movies are made. The actor's and their attutides towards the work, the behind the scenes people, it all adds up to some really good laughs. Having Tom Cruise cast as a foul-mouthed producer couldn't hurt either. Aside from Downey's performance, Tom Cruises' cameo appearance was a serious plus as well. Although, on the Cruise front, a friend - who hadn't seen the movie yet - brought up an interesting point. Was it the fact that it was Tom Cruise in a bald cap and a fat suit swearing like a sailor that was so great or could someone else pull off the same trick? In all honesty he may have a point. The draw is seeing Tom Cruise swear - and dance - if it was someone else, chances are we would still laugh but the scene would definetly not be getting the same amount of buzz. That being said, it's still some of the better parts of the movie. Only 3 scenes, so it's not overdone.

I have never been a fan of Jack Black. I liked him in High Fidelity, but that's it. He mugs to the camera, he always seems to be doing the same kind of 'schtick'. He's the new funny fat guy in TV and movies, like Chris Farley and John Candy before him. Jack Black seems to be popular, I don't understand it. I'm made fun of for not liking Nacho Libre, I couldn't even sit through Be Kind Rewind and his character in King Kong was completely annoying and useless. People tell me he's good in School of Rock - don't remeber seeing it and based on what I've seen of him in other films, don't want to. In fairness, in Tropic Thunder he has some funny lines - most of them while he's tied up to a tree detoxing, but there were other times when it felt like the same old Jack Black routine. In my mind he's the weak link in the cast, but admit that could be my bias against him shining through.

The controversy: Yes, the word 'retard' is used many times. The word is used in the context of two Hollywood actors discussing their craft and trophy hunting - going after the material that awards commitees love dolling out nominations for. It was funny, in no way were the actors - Stiller and Downey - making fun of the mentally challenged. That would be career suicide. I get the distinct feeling that people who call for protests and bannings have no idea what they are actually doing. I'm sure the majority of the protesters simply heard from a second or third hand source that told them the movie makes fun of the 'retards'. I've felt this way for a long time, people who generally call for boycots had no intention of consuming the media they are protesting. It's a free country and more power to them, but it's getting pretty annoying.

Overall, Tropic Thunder gets 8 "Simple Jacks " out of 10.

Tom.