“I got an extra ticket to Tropic Thunder tonight”

And that was all I needed. This last week has been busy as hell, so a move this weekend was not on the agenda, but when fortune reigns down the funny, you best pick it up.

Tropic Thunder had me crying with laughter from the first frame. Seriously, the first frame. The movie kicks right into Stiller’s outrageous brand of comedy right from the get-go. Typically, I’m very lukewarm on Stiller (Starsky, good; Fokkers, bad). His movies are funny, his comedy is funny, but a lot of times he just pushes it too far for me (mostly in the jump-the-shark category). Plus his mugging and overacting sometimes get a bit too much.

But in this movie, he keeps it reigned in, except for a few spots which actually make sense for his character. The entire film (within a film) is satirizing Hollywood, stars, and producers but does it in such a way that outsiders can appreciate it. Robert Downey Jr. is self deprecating throughout the film with his oscar-winning Kirk Lazarus (whose name is more telling than you think). His performance is amazing and I hope the academy recognizes this (although the fact that this performance is in a comedy…probably not) since for most of the movie, you can’t even recognize Downey Jr. at all, Just Kirk Lazarus. Just watch for Lazarus’s awakening moment, it’s quite impressive.

Jack Black reigns it in as well and plays it pretty tight (for Black). His “Fatties” movie pokes obvious fun at Eddie Murphy (or is it homage?) but the character has an interesting turn about halfway through the movie. Also, watch for the other over-the-top-Stiller-dialogue with Black’s character later in the movie. Don’t worry, you’ll know it when you see/hear it.

Cameos abound and Tugg’s agent is excellent (I’ll refrain from telling you who it is, just see the movie) and surprisingly is one of the only sane characters in the entire film. And while Tom Cruise’s lecherous Les Grossman (whose name is AS telling as you think) is certainly a prick, Cruise plays him loose and with abandon I haven’t seen since Magnolia. I’ve always been a fan of Cruise (I could care less about his private life and religious affiliations) and this role shows that he’s not afraid to take a risk in an attempt to break the “Cruise-mold” – shaved knuckles, sweaty armpits and all. Bottom line: his movies are entertaining and he’s a great actor.

Speaking of sane (and believe it or not, the Hero – at least that’s what I think) Jay Baruchel, typically an Apatow side player, makes a great performance as the only truly combat-ready dude in the outfit. His geeky Kevin Sandusky kicks surprising ass and holds his own with this veteran crew.

From the first frame Brandon T. Jackson’s Alpa Chino sets the stage for what to expect from this movie but quickly turns it on it’s ear. His retorts of Downey Jr’s “blackification” are some of the funniest stuff in the film. I was crying (literally crying) at one point (“For 400 hundreds…”). Watch out for Jackson, you’re gonna see a lot of this kid.

Oh and Danny McBride’s overzealous pyrotechnician is awesome. This guy is going to be the next up-and-comer, just watch (that’s two – Stiller’s got a good eye)

Overall, the look and production value of the movie bely it’s satirical comedy and present a serious war movie. The action and effects are top-notch, it feels like a big Hollywood flick as it’s supposed to- and I like it. The 70′s soundtrack (and direct scene homages) give you the feel of Platoon, Apocalypse Now, Full Metal Jacket – you name it, it’s in there.

So, leave the kids at home, grab some Milk Duds and see this in the theater, THEN go buy the DVD because the extras are gonna kick ass – oh they’ll kick ass.

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