it does have its moments and some of its moments are classic, but unfortunately they do not outnumber the defects and flaws

Rating: 6/10 (2 January 2009)

Comedian Ben Stiller seems to be a very popular celebrity amongst people in my age category. Me personally, I think he's a talented comedian in several regards I just wouldn't call him one of my favorites because I haven't seen a single movie with him that I liked or recommend. As an actor, he's good. As a director, he's getting there, but he's not quite there. And that's basically my opinion of his acting/direction job in Tropic Thunder.
This cornball action-comedy is about a cast of a war movie (Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black, etc) who are dumped in the real war zones of Vietnam and end up actually having to fight for survival, in the weirdest methods possible and the entire time, they are recorded by hidden cameras their unhappy director (Steve Coogan) set up. War veteran Nick Nolte watches from behind the scenes.
Now I am giving Tropic Thunder a negative review and I do not recommend it. But I don't abhor the film. I just don't think it's very good. Yes, it has its moments. In fact, it has some classic moments. There were many scenes where I erupted with laughter and I have to give credit to Robert Downey Jr. He stole the show with his performance. The lines they gave him, given to another actor, would have been okay, but Robert Downey Jr. makes it work well. He's the star, not Ben Stiller. Also, Tom Cruise was undeniably hilarious in this film as well. But while there are some moments that did make me laugh and there is some charm in this film, I must admit there are a lot of scenes that do not work as well. Many jokes that weren't funny, many scenes that serve no purpose in the film. As a matter of fact, the pacing is very off. It's too long by about fifteen or twenty minutes. And that is because there are some ludicrous, boring scenes that could not be excised because they play important levels in the so-called "plot" of the film. And as for the movie's profanity, it's way over the top.
There are some good elements. I liked all of the homage made to Hollywood and classic war and action films and directors and I liked the performances, but ultimately Tropic Thunder fails. It's an okay movie. Strictly okay. Worth seeing once, but not one that I imagine people will be watching over and over again.