Maverick from Top Gun

Rating: 7/10 (31 August 2008)

Tropic Thunder is an interesting experience to say the least, because we get to see all of these different "chops" of actors who have an acting skill set playing roles that are not usually shown, but are on display in this movie. Ultimately we see an experiment that is somewhat hit or miss at times, but more often than not it is a hit. Though the movie's story, jokes, and what not are fairly decent, what makes this movie shine are the actors turning in these performances that are just so out what they would typically play.
Robert Downey Jr. for beginners, who starred earlier this year as Iron Man and is having an incredible comeback into the film business, now puts his sites into playing an Australian character actor Kirk Lazarus, who goes so into character he turns himself into an African-American. The best way to gauge if you'll find this funny or not is to just watch the trailer, if anything gave you the slightest smile, then his performance throughout the rest of the movie will no doubt sell you on him as a great comedic actor. As far as those who are actually naive enough to believe this is a racist gesture? Swallow your pride and pull your head out if your back door; though also you people who feel this way, shouldn't even be watching the movie in the first place.
As for the other two great performances in this movie they come from Mattew McConaughey playing out of his typical chick-flick character as Ben Stiller's agent, who has few laughs throughout the film. Perhaps though the best surprise in the movie is Tom Cruise, who is covered in prosthetics to become the hairy business mogul that is financing the movie. This character is so vulgar, and disgusting it's enjoyable. If anyone else played this character it wouldn't have been the same, but the fact that it is Tom Cruise, Maverick from Top Gun, playing him just makes it so precious. Jay Baruchel (from Knocked-Up), Brandon Jackson, and Steve Coogan (Hamlet 2), not memorable, but still solid supporting performances to round out the celebrity filled cast. Oh yeah, and Nick Nolte is in it, and is decent too (just thought I would throw that in there). Then you get characters like Ben Stiller, Jack Black, and Danny McBride, who play the typical characters that they play in every other movie, which really doesn't make them all that memorable. On another note Danny McBride, who was not too long ago in Pineapple Express, I personally deplore this guy, he's not funny and is stupid, much like Dane Cook... and like Dane Cook, will probably end up with an undeserved career.
Perhaps though the weakest point of the movie all together, aside from McBride, is just the concept of the movie. It doesn't know what kind of movie it is. It's not silly and funny enough to be an excellent comedy movie; and while the action and special effects for the most part are excellent, the action is just too silly (which I know it is trying to do), to be a good war/action movie. Which can fall flat at times because it just feels like a half-hearted attempt at being a good comedy movie, and a good action movie, but not an exceptional of either. Though, it is obvious what kind of attention they were trying to accomplish.
Ben Stiller, definitely has some ability behind a camera and for writing a script. Even though he did make Zoolander, and the underrated Cable Guy, neither of those were as good as this movie. For the most part the movie looked polished, the script flowed well, and the characters were fantastic. I would love to see him turn more movies out, and possibly try his hand at a dramatic movie.
Pros: Downey Jr., McConaughey, Cruise, all deliver stand-out performances, and are well written characters. Tons, of little celebrity cameos make it worth watching just to recognize throughout the movie. Has good polished Hollywood charm to it that you can't quite put your finger on. Also kind cool to see what Ben Stiller is really made of behind a camera. Faux movie trailers at the beginning were funny also.
Cons: Stiller and Black turn out regular performances that aren't bad, but aren't anything new either. Danny McBride is a talentless bore. Isn't a really good comedy movie, isn't a really good action/war movie either.
Overall: Definitely worth the theatre, just so you can nudge your friend during the movie and point out a certain celebrity cameo, and also the explosions and action should warrant some big screen attention. Better than Step-Brothers and Pineapple Express.