A DVD Review of Tropic Thunder featuring Ben Stiller

Tropic Thunder is the making of a movie within a movie.  This ensemble cast includes Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black, Matthew McConaughey, Nick Nolte and Tom Cruise.

The movies cast and crew has ventured into the jungle to film a war movie based on a memoir by a Vietnam veteran John Tayback played by Nick Nolte.

The characters include a fading action hero, a hip hop artist, an acclaimed actor, a comedian along with a host of others.

While on location filming a movie the director Damien Cockburn is presented with a series of problems,   but none more important than that of the studio executive threatening to close down productions if he doesn’t get it back on track.

Under intense pressure the director turns to the author of the memoir “Tropic Thunder” for guidance.  Vietnam veteran John Tayback suggests the director drop the actors into the jungle to illicit genuine performances from its cast.

Unbeknownst to the cast when they are dropped off into a real life situation and that’s when the adventure begins.  Immediately the director befalls a mishap but the actors can’t distinguish if it’s real or fake.  The main character Tugg Speedman played by Ben Stiller is convinced that everything is being orchestrated by the director and that they are being filmed.  Meanwhile, the other actors are not so sure and try to remind Tugg to be cautious.

Not until it’s too late does Tugg Speedman realize that he is in real life dangerous situation but by then it’s too late.

Tropic Thunder will have you laughing from beginning to end.  Robert Downey Jr.’s portrayal of an award winning method actor is so silly that it’s hilarious.  During the majority of the movie despite the circumstances he remains in character at all times.

Each part was perfectly cast, including that of Tom Cruise as the Hip Hop dancing menacing studio executive.  And that is very evident with his 2009 golden globe nomination.

While watching Ben Stiller you can’t help but to smile.  The way he goes about a role you just feel like saying you’re so stupid.  How can he keep a straight face playing the fool that he plays?

If you are looking for some laughs with a twist here and there then Tropic Thunder is the movie for you.  Ben Stiller fans will definitely enjoy this one.

Tropic Thunder is a movie I would definitely recommend and remember parents it is Rated “R” for a reason.