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'Tropic Thunder'
Stiller and Downey Jr.
AP photo
(Out of four)
Garrett Conti can be reached via e-mail or at 412-380-5685.
Directed by Ben Stiller, who also plays a lead role, the explosive "Tropic Thunder" uproariously attacks egotistical actors and the movie-making process. Additionally, it takes some clever pokes at past war films such as "Apocalypse Now" and "Platoon."
However, it might be the performance of one actor -- Tom Cruise -- that this picture is most remembered for. Cruise, in the role of a hairy and foul-mouthed movie executive, unexpectedly dances away with this one. Call it a career rebound for the embattled actor.
Next to Cruise, Robert Downey Jr. and Jack Black really shine in their roles. Wisely, Stiller, who also takes screenwriting credits, puts a jocular and testosterone-driven dialogue into the hands of these accomplished actors.
"Tropic Thunder" follows a handful of high-maintenance actors through the making of a big-budget war film. They include the award-winning character actor Kirk Lazarus (Downey Jr.), the comedy star Jeff Portnoy (Black), the rapper-turned-actor Alpa Chino (Brandon T. Jackson), the action player Tugg Speedman (Stiller) and the no-name thespian Kevin Sandusky (Jay Baruchel). These characters are introduced to viewers through some slick clips before the introductory credits.
When complaints from the actors force the film off of its production schedule, a grizzled veteran consultant (Nick Nolte) makes the suggestion to put the actors in the wild and let them fend for themselves. Taken out of their pampered environments, the actors are forced to adapt and escape some very real danger in the jungle.
It all adds up to an explosively outrageous trek toward the completion of a promising film.
• In wide release.
