"Tropic Thunder" is one of Ben Stiller's greatest efforts on film to date. Besides starring in the film, he also co-wrote the screenplay and directed it. The result is one of the best comedies of the year and this Blu-Ray package is chock full of extras that will tweak your funny bone even more. Stiller also has a brilliant comedy team with him; Jack Black plays a drugged out movie star , famous for fart jokes, Robert Downey Jr. is brilliant as an Australian actor who has undergone pigmentation alteration to play a black American GI, Matthew McConaughey is Stiller's agent in Hollywood, Nick Nolte as the grissled author of the book they are filming, Brandon T Jackson as a young cast member trying to sell his franchised products in the film, Steve Coogan as the embattled director, and an almost unrecognizable Tom Cruise as the obscene head of a fictional studio.
The film starts off with one of its funniest gags; fake previews of films by the stars; Alpha Chino in a "Booty Sweat commercial", Tugg Speedman(Stiller) as a Rambo type saving the world time and time again in "Scorcher" films, Jeff Portnoy (Jack Black) as the star of "The Fatties" movies, and Kirk Lazureus (Robert Downey Jr.) as a gay monk who has a thing for fellow monk, Toby McGuire. This alone is hilarious even before the film starts in earnest. Stiller is aiming full fledged satire at the studios in the film from the get-go.
Once the film begins, we are treated to another highlight-the LZ scene, which is full of gut busting, over the top satire of modern war films, including a lot of fake gore and unbelievable action sequences.
Plot-The film company has come to Vietnam to produce a Vietnam war film based on a best selling book by Vietnam veteran Nick Nolte. The three major stars are too pampered and after a week, the film is already over budget so the director (Steve Coogan) decides to drop the stars off in the jungle and film them "guerilla style", from cameras mounted in the trees. What follows is some of the greatest comedy I have seen in years, filled with gross out language and silliness supplied by the lead actors, as well as supportive players Jay Barachel as the new kid to movies, and the insane special effects coordinator, played by Danny R. McBride.
Stiller and Black's performances are predictable; Stiller is stupid but doesn't know it, and Jack Black is totally insane as his drugs wear off. Robert Downey Jr.'s performance is remarkable "I stay in character until after the DVD commentary" as the multitalented method actor who has an identity crisis from being black too long.
The humor is offensive to just about everyone and you should know before viewing. It is so over the top at some points, you wonder what will happen next; a mark of a good movie.
The Blu-Ray picture is beautiful with bright jungle greens and sharp details; a great show off disc. Sound is Dolby True HD and the surrounds are utilized throughout the two hour presentation. The 70's music is great to hear in surround.
Extras on the single disc contains the Director's cut of the film and tons of HD extras. Commentary is also fun to listen to as Downey Jr. remains in character. Extras include a fake documentary on the making of the film "Rain Of Madness", and the over the top MTV awards short. Another interesting piece is Full Mags, where Stiller shows how he and co-star Downey Jr. improved their scenes and show the raw footage side by side as both actors were filmed. The BD-Live features were not active at the time of this review but are listed on the package as video rehearsals, additional full mags, and Dispatches from the Edge of Madness.
If you like Stiller's humor, you can't go wrong with this disc. It is consistantly funny from start to finish, even though the humor is not for everyone. While not rated as the "Director's Cut", it should not be viewed by people under 16. The remarkable performances(especially by Downey Jr.), humor, storyline, picture,sound, and extras make "Tropic Thunder" a great Blu-Ray disc for you to enjoy over and over.
