What is it really about?

Rating: 4/10 (20 September 2008)

First of all, Tropic thunder does have some funny moments, mainly thanks to Robert Downey Jr., which makes an exceptional performance here. However, the movie is just plain ridiculous. First of all, it attacks many movies and actors in Hollywood. Which sometimes is justified and, quite frankly, funny, but when you're making a movie using Ben Stiller in an over the top comic performance, and, quite honestly, using a lot of easy jokes, you really should know better than to make fun of movies that do exactly the same... first, because it just looks arrogant and damages your film. When I was watching the beginning of the film I did found it funny that they made fun of the kind of ridiculous movies that just use the same ideas once and again, but as you go in to the movie, you start seeing that you're watching exactly the same kind of movie... And just have this desire to leave the room. Let me put like this: My date was sleeping halfway in it, four people left. And leaving a comedy that lasts less than two hours can't be a good sign... Then, the movie doesn't focus on being a comedy, it just goes all over the place. It's action, it's drama, it's funny, it's apocalypse now turns platoon, it's just too much. And sure, there are movies that are not only comedies but also dramas ("as good as it gets", for example) but those movies focus on being a comedy and then evolve to other stages, they don't mix it all up, trying to be funny while trying to be serious. I actually wanted to see this film, and I wish I could recommend it. But my good taste just says different. It's a bad film. Bad jokes, no humor. Now, i'll be honest: If you're a hardcore fan of Ben Stiller, you'll probably still like this. But people who actually like good comedy, it's just no worth the ticket. Just rent on DVD, if you wanna take that risk.