Review: Tropic Thunder | Movie News

A trusted source very close to our site was able to catch an early screening of TROPIC THUNDER last night (release date: August 15, 2008) and here are his thoughts on the film starring Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Robert Downey Jr., among many others...

Yo guys,

So I caught an advance screening of Tropic Thunder last night, in NYC, and it was quite the experience. I walked into the theatre lobby and there's Ben Stiller standing right there. The theatre was packed because Paramount wanted 'regular' people to see it with the critics. Stiller introduced the film and said that his dad, Frank Costanza aka Jerry Stiller was in the audience. I saw him and Phillip Seymour Hoffman after the screening. Still said that it was an unfinished version and that there were some effects shots that needed to be polished up, so some of the stuff looked liked like a GTA game.

Anyway, to the movie. First and foremost, I have to say this: There is a major star (uncredited and unadvertised by the studio) whose performance as a psychotic studio exec is a near-legendary performance in this actor's long and famous career. He steals the show, easily. This isn't just a cameo. He's basically the villain. At the end of the movie, when the credits came up, an individual screenshot for each actor, this actor's name and pic got the biggest ovation by far, and it was a really nice moment.

I don't know what else to say without spoiling too much, but Downey's performance is also a show-stealer, and the surprising anchor of this movie is Jay Baruchel's character, the only sane one was the bunch. Jack Black is hilarious, as are Nick Nolte and of course Stiller. Matthew McConaughey, in what was supposed to be Owen Wilson's role, also plays a major part in this movie and is perfect as Stiller's agent. The movie is a satire on Hollywood and has a lot of in jokes and great bits. It's at a gag-per-second pace.

This movie will play huge when it opens in August, that's for sure, and it's also the most foul-mouthed comedy I've seen in a long time, if not ever. Lots and lots and lots of F-bombs. I don't know how people will review this movie without mentioning who the above-mentioned actor is, but they shouldn't, because I heard genuine surprise followed by glee when people realized who it was under that beard and bald cap. He appears pretty early on so its not a massive surprise, but it's a nice treat, for sure.