Tropic Thunder (2008)

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Director:

Ben Stiller

Writers (WGA):

Ben Stiller (screenplay) &
Justin Theroux (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

13 August 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Comedy | War

Tagline:

The movie they think they're making... isn't a movie anymore.

Plot:

Through a series of freak occurrences, a group of actors shooting a big-budget war movie are forced to become the soldiers they are portraying. |

Plot Keywords:

Shot In The Chest | Explosives | Animal Killing | Vietnam | Jungle

Awards:

2 wins

US Showtimes:

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Cast

Jeff Kahn	...	Snooty Waiter
Robert Downey Jr.	...	Kirk Lazarus
Anthony Ruivivar	...	Platoon Sergeant Shot in Head
Jack Black	...	Jeff Portnoy
Jay Baruchel	...	Kevin Sandusky
Brandon T. Jackson	...	Alpa Chino
Ben Stiller	...	Tugg Speedman
Eric Winzenried	...	Chopper Pilot
Steve Coogan	...	Damien Cockburn
Valerie Azlynn	...	Damien's Assistant
Matt Levin	...	Cameraperson
David Pressman	...	First Assistant Director
Amy Stiller	...	Script Supervisor
Danny R. McBride	...	Cody (as Danny McBride)
Dempsey Silva	...	Special Effects Assistant

Also Known As:

Tropic Thunder (Germany)

MPAA:

Rated R for pervasive language including sexual references, violent content and drug material.

Runtime:

107 min | USA:121 min (unrated director's cut)

Country:

USA | Germany

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

UK:15 | Ireland:16 | New Zealand:R16 | Australia:MA | Canada:14A (Alberta/Manitoba/Ontario) | Canada:18A (British Columbia) | Canada:13+ (Québec) | Sweden:15 | Iceland:16 | Netherlands:16 | Finland:K-13 | Brazil:16 | Singapore:M18 | Japan:PG-12 | Portugal:M/12 | South Africa:16LV | Germany:12 | USA:R (certificate #44367) | Argentina:13 | Peru:14 | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Philippines:R-13 (MTRCB) | France:U | Malaysia:18PL (cut)

Filming Locations:

Hawaii, USA

Company:

DreamWorks SKG

Trivia:

The poster for "The Fatties" behind Jeff Portnoy (Jack Black) in the trailer features the names of a few of the film's actual crew members: costume designer Marlene Stewart, editor Greg Hayden, director of photography John Toll, and screenwriter Justin Theroux. In addition, the poster contains the DreamWorks Pictures logo, the Dolby Stereo logo, and a fictional composite of several MPAA ratings (reading "PG - Parental Guidance - under 11 requires accompanying parent or guardian").

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: Towards the beginning on the movie when the character gets disemboweled with a bayonet in the stomach, when the attacker removes the rifle (supposedly with the bayonet attached) it is obvious there is no bayonet attached to the rifle.

Quotes:

Kirk Lazarus: You more shredded than a Julienne salad, man.

Movie Connections:

References "The Jeffersons" (1975)

Soundtrack:

Frankenstein

Best comedy in years.

I just got out of a midnight showing and I was absolutely blown away. I fully expect this to be a mediocre movie at best, but it surprised me in all aspects. It was well directed, acted, the action scenes were actually very well done and pretty epic, and most of all it was hilarious. I doubt I stopped laughing for more than a minute or two. I don't want to give anything away so I will keep it brief, but do yourself a favor and see this in theaters with friends.

PS. As a black man, I did not find Robert Downey Jr.'s character offensive at all. He was probably the most hilarious character in the movie.