Excellent action comedy that is also part satire about film-making in Hollywood.

Rating: 9/10 (24 September 2008)

Three spoiled Hollywood actors, one is a action star Tugg Speedman (Ben Stiller), the second is a comedian Jeff Portnoy (Jack Black) and the third is a five-time Oscar-Winning over-talented actor Kirk Lazarus (Robert Downey, Jr.). These three actors are making an Vietnam film, based on a true story. Which it is written by a Vietnam veteran Four Leaf Tayback (Nick Notle). But the director (Steve Coogan) has problems with these over-demanding actors that the film's producer (Tom Cruise) wants these problems solved as soon as possible. Since it's already over-budgeted, just shooting for four days! The novelist tells the director, he wants to sent these actors in the jungle with the real enemies close by. Along with the novelist, the director, prop man (Danny Mc Bride), the three lead actors and the two supporting players (Brandon T. Jackson & Jay Bunichel) to be sent in the darkest heart of the jungle of Vietnam. But they find themselves way over their heads too soon and having trouble with the notorious Vietnamese drug-lord (Brandon Soo Hoo).
Directed by Ben Stiller (The Cable Guy, Reality Bites, Zoolander) made an very enjoyable satire about the way of film-making in Hollywood by making Big Budget movies seem always overblown in the process. Director Stiller also makes this fun for the audiences by adding action and some truly funny memorable moments. For me, this is the most enjoyable Stiller performance since "There's Something about Mary". But Stiller does have an great cast surrounding him. Downey, Jr. and Cruise have all the best comedic moments. Matthew McConaughey appears in a supporting role as Tugg's dedicated agent/friend.
The original theatrical cut DVD has an sharp anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) transfer and an good Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. DVD has an hilarious commentary by Stiller, Black and Downey Jr. (Still in his character from the movie). DVD also has featurettes with interviews with the cast & crew. Perphas the biggest surprise is how shockingly well written it is by the actor/producer/director Stiller, actor:Justin Theroux and Etan Cohen. They certainly got the premise right on and they wrote an first-rate script. This is my third favorite film of 2008, along with "Wanted" and "Hellboy 2:The Golden Army". "Tropic Thunder" is the funniest comedy of the year so far, while "Step Brothers" comes in as the second funniest this year. Don't miss "Tropic Thunder", see it now on the big screen. Panavision. Also available in a two-disc Director's Cut DVD and Blu-ray.(**** 1/2 out of *****).