Tropic Thunder provides comedy for every fan (Tropic Thunder (DVD))

Member Name: Squeesfan

Product:	Tropic Thunder (DVD)
Date:	01/09/09 (9 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: accessible, great acting, numerous film references

Disadvantages: perhaps too clever for its own good at times

When it comes to comedy matured in the hollywood wine cellar, the recent batch from the last several years have been terrible. Littered between horrendous 'spoof's and banal stereotypes playing off each other, there has been a distinct lull in comedy, nothing that has striven to even attempt originality.

And then, amidst the reams of boredom, comes Tropic Thunder all guns blazing. With such a star-studded cast, you'd think that perhaps they were attempting too much, too many cooks et cetra. Instead, we are treated to an EXTREMELY well-written script that manages to blend a myriad of comedic styles together into a seamless transition of cinema that never once feels choppy. You have the gross out moments of OTT comedic gore and teenage humour (see jack black's line of 'dude.....I will suck your dick now if you untie me) as well as much more subtle and surreal humour.

The story is simple: a variety of actors are trying to make a blockbuster war movie. They are then dropped in hostile territory for 'realism' (a definite jibe at the lengths some method actors go to in research) and son become wrapped up in a deadly situation that they believe is just actors for the film. Very simple, yet there are so many film geek references that your head will spin.

And in between all of this, we have the finishing blow - a perfect slice of self deprecating jabs that puncture every different tyre on the cinematic automobile. This is perhaps best seen in the fake trailers at the beginning, from the ridiculously blunt wreckage of your typical action film, to the hilarious poking at so called 'art' films - I cried with laughter at 'winner of the coveted crying monkey award'. Each was done to just the right degree that it never felt forced or smug - again, brilliant editing and script writing.

But perhaps the most driving force is the characters themselves. In between the jabs, jives, and attacks, we have each stereotype brought to life in an almost paradoxical breath of complexity. Robert Downy Jr is INCREDIBLE in every aspect, as is Ben Stiller, and all the others. Each play their role to a tee, and I must commend whoever was casting. I also enjoyed seeing Steve Coogan, a personal favourite ever since his hilarious comedic show 'I'm Alan Partridge'.

On the topic of Cameos, Tom Cruise puts in perhaps the funniest one I have ever seen, my jaw dropped to the fall when I finally realised he was on screen. Truly remarkable.

Tropic Thunder, is so much more than a gross out comedy with a big budget cast; it is subtle, serious, complex, mind-boggingly stupid, and mind numbingly funny. It has been a long time since I have been so surprised by the thought that has gone into a film like this, probably the original Austin Powers if I am to be honest. Overall this is a comedic treat that I feel can be enjoyed by most people and on multiple viewings.

Summary: One of the more unique ideas to come out of Hollywood recently - give it a go!