Tropic Thunder

This has gotta be one of the most hilarious films I've seen so far that comes in a cool package containing A-listers such as Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr and and Jack Black.  It is rare to see so many good people coming together to work closely and come up with something so explosively funny and even touching at certain times.

The interesting catch? These actors plays actors (each with their own issues and dwindling career to rescue in the film) who are hire to act in a budget military war flick. The problem is, none of them are acting properly (etc. Ben's character can't cry...) or taking their roles seriously to get things done and involuntarily causes a bunch of expensive explosives to go off accidentally when the camera wasn't even rolling. The production was shamed due to the inccident and the studio executive (Tom Cruise, barely recognizable, in a fat suit, bald and with a moustache) was hopping mad,

So, the bunch of prima donna actors (Ben, Robert, Jack, Jay Baruchel & Brandon T Jackson) are whisk off to the deep deep jungle for the real deal of the action with CC TVs planted all around to capture the very best of their advanture (or misadvanture). Force to take their job seriously, the group of 5 are make to hand over all means of electronic device (etc. cell phones) and given a map to make their way around. However, the director (Steve Coogon), after relaying all instructions and acting mean to the stars, steps on a landmine and gets blow up (to many parts). Left with no choice, the 5 pampered actors are force to grow up, battle their way through the jungle like actual soldiers, face off vicious Chinese thugs from a massive drug circle located nearby, rescue their fledging careers and come to terms with their strength and weaknesses?

This is Robert Downey Jr at his best, playing a white actor who was suppose to potray a black man in the movie. Confusing yeah? Nah, just see the show and you will get use to it. He was so convincing as the man who was so into character (on screen) that he was starting to get an identity conflict (between being white and black) while his co-actor, Brandon's character has to keep reminding him that he is NOT black so stop acting like one. Tom Cruise, for the first time in life, plays it down ugly and dirty as the downright mean and horrible studio boss who spurts profanities off like nobody's business. Ben Stiller, for a change, plays a character of deeper emotional depth than the roles he usually played, potraying a vain and self-absorbed actor who has to come to terms with himself and see his own weaknesses for what they really are.

If you are looking for a comedy but has no time for too many movies, make this one of the must-watch for this month. You will not want to miss an opportunity for a worthy performance from many of our all time favourite actors. Oh yeah, not forgetting to mention, this one is directed by Ben Stiller himself too =)