Tropic Thunder

Synopsis

Tropic Thunder is about a bunch of wacky and pampered actors filming a war movie in Southeast Asia. With the director’s butt on the line to make his movie a hit, he decides to drop his actors into the middle of the jungle where the fighting situation is real. They find themselves in a raw circumstance and must be as rough and tough as their on screen characters to make it out unscathed. Ben Stiller (Meet the Parents), Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man) and Jack Black (Shallow Hal) provide hilarious scene after scene in this summer comedy hit.

Review

Tropic Thunder is a beyond over-the-top action-comedy that had my eyeballs attached firmly to the screen (even with a migraine) from the first five SECONDS. Ben Stiller out did himself as director/writer/actor this time around. Yeah, my man still had that goofey blank stare he always has in his flicks that gets on my nerves, but he brought it all in this extremely high budget ($100+ million) film. Tropic had my abdominal muscles in  a knot like I was using the Bally Ab Tighterner II (check it out) because I was laughing so hard non-stop. Tropic is explosive with everything that makes a good action/comedy/parody type of movie. I'm talking explosions, fight scenes, crazy characters and of course jokes.

The action hero Tugg Speeman (Stiller), the Award Winner, Kirk Lazarus (Downey Jr.) and the comedian, Jeff Portnoy (Black) are a completely different trio of popular and prima donna actors who are filming an action war movie from the memoirs of Four Leaf Tayback's (Nick Nolte) days in vietnam. The filming is not working out and the director decides to take the actors and filming to the JUNGLES of Southeast Asia so he can capture some more "true to life" footage. Unbeknownst to the actors and their prop pistols, there's a real gang with real guns who aren't too happy the actors are on their turf. The story is now taken to an entirely new level. 

All I needed to know was that Robert Downey Jr. was casted in Tropic. He truly looked like I've never seen him before. He plays a white Australian who is (controversially) playing a black sergeant with no fear (remember, Tropic is a movie inside a movie). Now, Robert isn't the 1980's Soulman - C. Thomas Howe - black man. Robert is “a dude, playing another dude, disguised as another dude, who is the black dude.” Yeah, something like that.

Supporting actor ”Alpa Chino” (yes, the joke is it sounds like Mr. Scarface himself) is played by Brandon T Jackson, (Rollbounce). Alpa is a rapper and the real African American man in the movie (follow me here — the movie in the movie). He’s not too impressed with Lazarus’ portrayal of a brotha, and he lets it be known. Jackson bounced off of Robert D. real well. Robert’s portrayal of a black guy wasn't offensive at all—in fact it was hilarious. He actually wasn't the typical 'black face'—not like how Ted Danza did it back in the day (fool). You clearly know that his character Kirk Lazarus is so deep into his acting he takes his roles seriously. So serious, he under went a procedure to look like a brotha to play a black sergeant. That's why Kirk Lazarus is a multiple Academy Award winner, and why this funny concept is such a great part of the movie.

I'm still trying to figure out Jack Black's character Jeff Portnoy. He's just a “candy” addicted, loud mouth comedian. All I know is, Jack looked a HOT Jack Black mess. Seeing him in his underoos was killing my eyes. He was a big sloppy mess. He looked like he smelt like ‘all day long’. You know that’s bad. However, JB is funny as always with his intense stares and crazy statements.

You’ve probably heard the controversy around this movie and it’s use of the R-word. I really feel like it is necessary to mention that the R-word (retard) was used a lot in a few scenes. I have to admit, they were relentless and it would definitely be offensive. So, for that they should get less reels, but a certain community did boycott and I don't blame them. MMMM. Ben Stiller and his crew should know better.

This movie has a few cameos and great surprises, and I refuse to mention any of them. That's why a sista's site is SPOILER-FREE! Look, I'm going to buy the DVD of Tropic when it comes out. I know I'll be popping in the DVD every time I'll need a little comic relief. I really want to go see the movie again now, but I have way too many others to watch. Whew...do I. This movie is worth a second visit.

Aneeyyyhooo, Mom and the “Sister Pattersons”—this one isn't for you. This is RATED R and it has a lot of cursing and some gore. Oh yeah...lots of gore. The gore is suppose to be over-the-top for the war scene. Tropic gets 5 reels for laughs because you must see it on the big screen and buy it when the DVD comes out for your comedy collection. Now, if you are that person who gets squeemish — I closed my eyes a couple of times — and really don't like silly comedies, then roll on to the next movie. Maybe Vicky Christina Barcelona -- PG-13. But I tell you, family, you’re missing one great comedy in Tropic Thunder.

My Rating ~ 5 Reels

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