Tropic Thunder

Rating: out of
Released: 2008
Directed by: Ben Stiller
Cast: Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black, Tom Cruise, Matthew McConaughey, Steve Coogan


What Is It About?

A group of actors (Robert Downey Jr., Ben Stiller, Jack Black) are filming a Viet Nam film in the jungle when they find themselves in the middle of a real battle.

Who Made It?

Ben Stiller co-wrote and directed it.

His co-writers are Justin Theroux (an actor probably best known for MULHOLLAND DRIVE) and Etan Cohen who co-wrote IDIOCRACY and several other Mike Judge projects.

Is It Any Good?

Robert Downey Jr. is very good.

Tom Cruise is very good.

The film?

Well, in the 106 minute film, I laughed a total of....once.

And what was the laugh? Was it from Downey? Stiller? Jack Black? Tom Cruise? Matthew McConaughey? Even the great Steve Coogan?

None of them.

It was a throwaway bit involving Maria Menounos doing an impression of Stiller’s “Simple Jack” character.

If Maria Menounos can make me laugh, and no one else can, what is wrong with this film?

Part of the problem could be the fact that TROPIC THUNDER has been hyped for months. Other than Tom Cruise’s role, I think every scene in the film has had clips released, whether in trailers or online. By the time you see the actual film, it is like you have already seen it.

There is also the fact that there seems to be a disconnect between myself and Ben Stiller’s style of comedy.

While I loved THE BEN STILLER SHOW, and didn’t mind REALITY BITES (although I haven’t seen it since I saw it in the theatre), I HATED THE CABLE GUY. And as much as I hated THE CABLE GUY, I DESPISED ZOOLANDER.

With ZOOLANDER developing a cult following, I actually watched it a second time, thinking I may have been in the wrong mood, and still hated it.

I don’t know what it is. I like Ben as an actor. And his father Jerry Stiller makes me laugh in just about everything he does.

When it comes to Ben’s direction and his writing, it just isn’t for me. I’m more of a dialogue driven comedy fan. His style of comedy is more performance and situational based. A lot of juvenile toilet humor and over the top antics. That isn’t my style.

Now, I know I am in the minority on this one. Critics are loving TROPIC THUNDER. If you are a fan of ZOOLANDER, you will probably love this.

I guess I was a bit too harsh on PINEAPPLE EXPRESS. While I didn’t care for that film, I would much rather watch PINEAPPLE than this.

Reviewed by: Jim Magovern

Oct 03,2008