Tropic Thunder (2008)

Powell's Pick --
LOOKING FOR:

• Undemandingly Accessible Comedy
  
• Awesome Explosions
  

MOM ALERT:

• Visibly Fake Organs/Gore
• Some Sexually Graphic Dialogue
  
• F-Carpet Bombing
• Drug Content (And Smoking!)
  
• Not for the faint of heart or tender of conscience (Somewhat unfeeling towards the mentally-challenged, animals, and studio execs)
  

DO NOT EXPECT:

• Touching War Epic
• Oscar Wilde
  
• Platoon 2

WHY WATCH IT?

• It's really funny.
• Robert Downey Jr.
  

I was expecting the humor to be considerably more crass, but, aside from some notable instances (such as Jack Black graphically offering fellatio to one of his team mates) it was surprisingly intelligent. Tropic Thunder offers some welcome criticism of the film industry, awesome explosions, the best take on the Wilhelm Scream I've come across yet, and some great acting. (Yes, Downey Jr. plays a black guy. And it's awesome.)

IN SUM: Watch with like-minded friends. Beer optional.

-- POWELL

---

Eidem Adds --
LOOKING FOR:

• Spoof Comedy
  
• Robert Downey Jr. Playing A Black Man

WATCH OUT FOR:

• Sexual/Coarse Language Throughout
  
• Fake Gore/Violence

DO NOT EXPECT:

• Saving Private Ryan

EXPECT:

• Zoolander
• Airplane!

WHY WATCH IT?

• Robert Downey Jr.’s Portrayal

The main problem with Tropic Thunder for me was my expectations of it (which is why this blog was started). I expected more than the movie offered and I was looking for a little more substance to the comedy. With Ben Stiller and Jack Black headlining this movie, I do not know what I was thinking. I thought maybe Downey’s addition to the movie would bring a different element to the plot. But once the movie got going I realized how well Downey’s character spoofed himself and tied into the point this movie was making. Tropic Thunder did not take itself seriously at all. To the contrary, it was spoofing the whole movie industry (movie studios, actors, producers, agents, etc.) and used the serious tone as part of its gag. So do not make the same mistake as I did. As long as you know what you are getting yourself into (and can stand a little crude humor) you should be able to enjoy this movie.

IN SUM: Be ready for a spoof movie. Watch it with others who can appreciate this type of humor and are in the same mood and that should add to the enjoyment.

-- EIDEM