Thursday, August 21, 2008

At the Movies: Tropic Thunder


Liz and I decided we are dating. Lately, every movie we see, we see together. Last night, we ventured out to see Tropic Thunder. Written and directed by Ben Stiller, Tropic Thunder is the story of 5 actors, too big for their war movie, who are dropped into the Vietnam jungle by their crazy director (the fabulous Steve Coogan) in order to capture some real action and emotion. Of course, everything goes wrong and hilarity, as she loves to do, shows up in spades (I don't even know what that means).

Other than the pretty funny plot, the movie is all about Robert Downey Jr., as a hardcore method actor playing an African American Army sergeant (am I alone in thinking RDJ is the best thing on screen every time he's on screen? Man, he's so great. I'm so glad he's cleaned up and making awesome movies. I love him), and Tom Cruise as an insane studio head (I don't want to say too much, but damn. Cruise is funny). Also, Jay Baruchel is great as the newbie actor on the set. He's so adorable. It's nice to see him in something non-Apatowian.

There are some groan moments (as I think we've come to expect from a Ben Stiller movie) and Jack Black is misused, but over all, Tropic Thunder is funny, entertaining and worth your time and hard earned cash. Check it out.

7 comments:

words...words...words... said...

I'm on the fence about seeing this one (I'm allergic to Ben Stiller), but I didn't know Jay Baruchel and Steve Coogan were in it. That might put me over the top.

Moderator said...

I dunno. This movie, though it looks funny, worries me. I hate going into movies with high expectations. Actually, I hate going into movies at all, usually. But that's my problem to deal with.

Dave Harrington said...

Alpa Chino hearts Lance

paperback reader said...

Ben Stiller...funny?

I may have to see this to believe this. You understand, I'm sure.

Mel O said...

DAAAAAAAAAMN!!! Check out those arms! Yum-my!!
 
Thanks for the tip, Red... I don't know that I would have had much desire to see this before reading your review.

Feisty Democrat said...

I was interested in seeing it, but your lack of a decent avatar has convinced me otherwise. See how not listening to me makes your life more complicated?

Unknown said...

After the back and forth of the "controversy" about this one, I went in with limited expectations.
The Wife and I were blown away! We laughed out loud and had a blast. Everything was done tongue in cheeek, pure satire and there should have been no offense taken...but, you know the good ol' US of A. If we can't bitch about something we feel like we're all alone in a world of billions. Sad little old us.
Okay, enough of that.
Go see the film...you won't be disappointed!