Tropic Thunder (2008)

Very often, I have a hard time watching comedies. They sometimes either try too hard or rely too much on known ideas; sometimes filmmakers think that 'comedy' is just being as gross and stupid as you can get. It isn't often that a comedy comes along that is clever, well-written and that makes me laugh from start to finish.

'Tropic Thunder' succeeded.

The premisse alone is clever: a filmstudio wants to make a Vietnam War epic based on a book by a veteran, and because they are going for the awards, they decide to hire a plethora of well-known actors. There's Tugg Speedman, an action star whose popularity is declining; an up and coming comedic actor who has a serious substance problem; a massive hiphop star and a method actor and award winning powerhouse. The only problem is that they are so full of themselves, that things do not go smoothly. In fact, the film seems doomed from the start. But then the makers have the idea to drop the actors in the middle of the jungle in order for them to 'feel' the reality some more. The only problem is, they stumble into the territory of a heroin manufacturer and shit really hits the fan.

So many things work for this film, it's sometimes a little hard to list them all, but I will try (it is why you are reading this, I presume). First off: the action is very well done. They didn't cut back on this and handled the scenes like it was a genuine action flick. That is actually pretty cool, because often comedies that have action skimp on the latter or vice versa. What also works wonderfully is that everyone, producers included, is bigger than life yet feel so real. You can instantly imagine actors and producers doing the stuff these guys do (including the whining and swearing and what have you), because I'm fairly certain they were all based on real people. Heck, Jack Black's character got famous with a film about fat people that do nothing but fart: if that doesn't remind you of Eddy Murphy's foray into the same territory with 'The Klumps', I don't know what will.

Hats off to Robert Downey Jr as the method actor who goes so far as to have his skin darkened because he is playing a black character. He goes so overboard in the role that the actual black character tries to get him to act normal, but their discussions are hilarious. People that thought of this role as offensive to black people might have a problem with the concept of satire.

If you have ever known anything about film- or television productions, you will instantly laugh even harder, because so many things are so close to home. Yet, through it all the jokes keep landing. Okay, some of them are a little on the crass side of things, but to this film's credit: a lot is just funny in a clever way. The story does end on a happy note, but it's hard to end a comedy downbeat anyway and you will have had oodles of fun when it is finally over.

Also massive props to Tom Cruise. You might not recognize him in this one, but this could very well be my favourite role he has ever played. But all the actors go to the max in this one and you can tell they are having fun with it.

Do I recommend this one?

Hell yeah.