Review: Tropic Thunder

A
trusted source very close to our site was able to catch an
early screening of TROPIC
THUNDER last night (release date: August 15, 2008) and here are
his thoughts on the film starring Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Robert
Downey Jr., among many others…

Yo guys,

So I caught an advance screening of Tropic Thunder last night, in NYC, and it was
quite the experience. I walked into the theatre lobby and there’s Ben Stiller
standing right there. The theatre was packed because Paramount wanted ‘regular’
people to see it with the critics. Stiller introduced the film and said that his dad,
Frank Costanza aka Jerry Stiller was in the audience. I saw him and Phillip
Seymour Hoffman after the screening. Still said that it was an unfinished version
and that there were some effects shots that needed to be polished up, so some of
the stuff looked liked like a GTA game.

Anyway, to the movie. First and foremost, I have to say this: There is
a major star (uncredited and unadvertised by the studio) whose performance as a psychotic
studio exec is a near-legendary performance in this actor’s long and famous
career. He steals the show, easily. This isn’t just a cameo. He’s basically the
villain. At the end of the movie, when the credits came up, an individual screenshot
for each actor, this actor’s name and pic got the biggest ovation by far, and it was a
really nice moment.

I don’t know what else to say without spoiling too much, but Downey’s performance
is also a show-stealer, and the surprising anchor of this movie is Jay Baruchel’s
character, the only sane one was the bunch. Jack Black is hilarious, as are Nick
Nolte and of course Stiller. Matthew McConaughey, in what was supposed to be
Owen Wilson’s role, also plays a major part in this movie and is perfect as Stiller’s agent. The movie is a
satire on Hollywood and has a lot of in jokes and great bits. It’s at a
gag-per-second pace.

This movie will play huge when it opens in August, that’s for sure, and it’s also the
most foul-mouthed comedy I’ve seen in a long time, if not ever. Lots and lots and
lots of F-bombs. I don’t know how people will review this movie without mentioning
who the above-mentioned actor is, but they shouldn’t, because I heard
genuine surprise followed by glee when people realized who it was under that
beard and bald cap. He appears pretty early on so its not a massive surprise, but it’s a nice
treat, for sure.