Unbalanced in many ways, but very funny all throughout.

Rating: 8/10 (5 September 2008)

Ben Stiller does terrific work as director, co-writer, co-producer, and star in this hilarious send-up of past Hollywood films dealing with the Vietnam War as well as a send-up of Hollywood in general. There are jokes in this script many movie lovers will get as well as ones only hard-core film buffs will laugh at, but it is all in good fun and it is obvious that all the actors are having a great time.
Stiller plays Tugg Speedman, a former action star on the downside of his career, Jack Black is a heroin addicted comic star famous for his fart movies, and Robert Downey Jr. gives the film's best performance as Kirk Lazarus, an Aussie actor who completely immerses himself in his roles, this one being an African-American platoon sergeant. Other supporting roles include Matthew McConaughey as Speedman's agent, Steve Coogan as the exasperated director, and Tom Cruise giving one of the best cameos I've ever seen as a foul-mouthed studio executive in charge of production.
All cameos aside, the real treasure of this movie is the huge number of jokes and spoofs being shot out left and right. They come so fast at some points it is hard to get them all. However, if you listen closely, you will get some of the big laughs and there are quite a few here. So, all in all, I think this is the funniest movie of the summer with some great acting, a lot of action, and a skin-changing performance by one of the best in the business, Robert Downey Jr. Get some.