Gripping, funny, fast-paced.

Rating: 9/10 (16 February 2009)

Tropic Thunder: (n) A Ben Stiller film starring himself, Robert Downey Jr. and Jack Black. Intended to spoof all war films ever made and entertain all viewers. Contains disturbing images and thematic moments, including rough humor and sexual references. Unique in starting out in a series of bogus trailers introducing the main characters (many viewers actually went to rent the movies advertised). A very controversial film, it was blasted by some for making a mockery out of war and veterans, and praised by some who focused more sensibly on it's ridiculous side.
All in all, Tropic Thunder was a very good movie. If anyone lost a relative during the Vietnam war, possibly it's best that you don't watch this, though. This movie does spoof veterans and the war in general, so you might be outraged. Otherwise, this movie is a fairly successful comedy in the style of 'Top Secret': spoof everything in sight.
The acting was astoundingly good. Robert Downey Jr. in particular must be noted for his portrayal of a foul-mouthed but intelligent African-American Platoon Sergeant. (His accent is another spoofing the movie... anyone see it?) Also, Jack Black in the role of an addicted actor with a successful 'Fatty' franchise (pretty self-explanatory) was hilarious. His line 'OOOHH, I f***ing hate movies!' was improv, and so were the more witty conversations. Brandon T. Jackson was also a gem in this movie, contributing non-stop laughs in the campfire scene and the confrontation with Osiris. Ben Stiller, while not as outstanding as the others, was very convincing as a rather perfectionist and thick-skulled actor.
The theme itself is quite unique (I only saw the theme of actors in a real life situation in one movie: 'the man who knew too little', which. by the way, was a great comedy), and the directors are quite adept in making the most of it. Tropic Thunder is indeed a good start to the new year (yes, I know it came out last year, I only watched it today.)
PS: watch the movie with commentary later. it's like another comedy in itself: the Black-Stiller-Downey Jr.-Baruchel quartet is hilarious! Should you watch this movie? Definitely. But get ready for a lot of swearing and rough humor.