Saturday 22 December 2018

Tropic Thunder (2008 Ben Stiller)

We thought it 'rather disappointing' ten years ago - maybe we were sober? (For the record, it was a Saturday.) But from the faked ads, trailers and chat shows on, we found it this time hilarious. Black Downey made us howl with laughter, fat suit Cruise though maybe steals the film.

With Stiller are Jack Black, Brandon T Jackson (Get a Job) and Jay Baruchel. Danny McBride and Nick Nolte are in pursuit. Bill Hader is Cruise's No. 2 and Steve Coogan exits early. And Matthew McConaughey. Also loved Brandon Soo Hoo as triad gang boss - thought he must have had fun. Though guffawed at much of it, think the performance of Simple Joe to tribe was the highlight.

Written by Stiller, Justin Theroux (also co-wrote Iron Man 2, acted in Maniac, Mulholland Drive and Inland Empire) and Etan Cohen, and references Vietnam films, Forrest Gump etc with much glee. The comment about Black's character not being insurable after latest bust-up surely is a veiled reference (not so veiled) to Downey.

Shot by John Toll in Panavision.





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