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6 out of 10
Whilst on location filming a Vietnam war movie, fading action star Tugg Speedman (Stiller), rotund comic Jeff Portnoy (Black) and method actor extraordinaire Kirk Lazarus (Downey Jr.) are plunged into the jungle's depths in a bid to save the troubled production. What this motley crew are about to discover though is that there is no second take.
Over the past few years Will Ferrell, Seth Rogen and Judd Apatow have made comedy their bitch. Rogen and Apatow seem to be involved (in some capacity) in every comedy released at the moment, while I am sure even Will Ferrell is wondering how many Ron Burgundy-esqe characters he has left in the locker. So it may come as some relief then to discover that one of comedy's finest exponents, Ben Stiller is back in one of the year's highly anticipated movies, Tropic Thunder.
Stiller plays action all-star Tugg Speedman, star of the Scorcher series of films. His stock however is on the decline. After his attempt to turn in a serious performance as the mentally challenged Simple Jack is critically panned Speedman is intent on being the star of the greatest war movie ever made. Along for the journey is Black's Jeff 'Fats' Portnoy; a comedian famed for starring in what can only be described as Eddie Murphy fodder. Making up the triumvir is award winning Australian method actor Kirk Lazarus, played by the always outstanding Robert Downey Jr. Famed for his devotion to his trade, Lazarus plays the role of a jive talking black platoon sergeant. In any other capacity Stiller and R.D. Jr. would be strung up for such blatant disregard but such is Lazarus' naivety and sheer stupidity they get away with it. Just. And it's a good job too as R.D. Jr. is Tropic Thunder's saviour. A combination of Mr. T and Shaft, he reels off more jive statements than a blaxploitation movie. His relationship with rapper turned entrepreneur, Alpa Chino (Jackson) bringing a modicum of sense to an otherwise outlandish scenario. Speedman is just too similar to Stiller's other creations and though there are some notable laughs there is nothing that we haven't seen before. Black too gets lost in the fauna, the setting more suitable for his Kung Fu Panda than his drug fuelled bellowing.
Where Stiller & Black falter the supporting cast pick up the slack. Steve Coogan, Matthew McConaughey, Danny McBride and a surprising performance by Tom Cruise more than compensate. The cinematography too is something to be marvelled at as the action is more Platoon than Hot Shots. It is worth getting to the cinema early too to see the mock trailers of our three stars' forthcoming releases.
It is disappointing that with such a well appointed cast the film does not live up to its billing. Stiller and Black fail to deliver as does the movie's plot which soon wears thin. That said, there is enough here to more than entertain and you will find it hard to forget Downey Jr's performance.
Movie Website: www.tropicthunder.com
Cast List:
Tugg Speedman: Ben Stiller
Kirk Lazarus: Robert Downey Jr.
Jeff 'Fats' Portnoy: Jack Black
Alpa Chino: Brandon T. Jackson
Kevin Sandusky: Jay Baruchel
Damien Cockburn: Steve Coogan
Cody: Danny McBride
Tracklist:
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