Tropic Thunder (2008)

I digs this movie, but it is one heap of absolute shit, I know this but I can't help it. One of the most overrated, yet wholly enjoyable pieces of crap ever to be esteemed with accolades of the highest order, Tropic Thunder has more layers than any piece of rotten onion should.

The plot follows a bunch of big movie stars, making a war movie, who land up in a real war scenario when their pressured director decides to make shit real and drop them in a virtual reality style shooting environment. There's the action star, the method actor, the hip-hop star, the drug addicted slapstick comedian and the rookie, in the jungle, thinking they making a movie reality style but stuck in real danger as the Directors plan to capture truth becomes more real than intended.

It's preposterous, hammy and tons of fun.

So how does this movie get the distinction of being required viewing for this blog?

It's all down to real method actor Robert Downey Jr, who pokes fun at himself by playing a black character within a movie, who is actually an Australian method actor who has taking method acting to the extreme as he physically alters himself to play a black man - it's deep shit for a piece of trifle, and there are the layers again like a real trifle... but this is Oscar nominated trifle for Robert Downey Jr.

The movie is jam-packed with these kind of layered references, but without a shred of artistic merit or intent, it's just balls to the walls stupidity and craziness. And yet there is thought to it when you consider that Ben Stiller has been bouncing this idea around for 10+ years, poking fun at the entire idea of acting boot camps which are run in preparation for war movies in particular. You can only watch this movie and ponder the amount of abandoned fun had while making this movie.

And then there's Tom Cruise, who never got an Oscar Nom, but did get a Nom nod at the Golden Globes - he is almost unrecognisably excellent as the sleazy movie producer. One of his greatest performances while also one of his smallest screen appearances, can you ever really discount the power of Tom Cruise, even if you loathe the guy? Entertainment squared!

There ain't nothing great about this movie, but there is a lot of laughter to be had with this piece of stupidity. And it's a great break from the seriousness of most Oscar movies, most probably the laziest nominated movies in the selection for this blog. Enjoy it, Love it, Hate it and get some!

And if you get a chance, check out the MTV Award sneak peak "Viral Video" - one of the funniest promos ever made, like ever!

And so it is that I have watched the 54th Academy Nominated movie of the blog selection, one of the most odd-ball choices ever. Tropic Thunder is also the 2nd movie watched from the 81st Academy Awards.

nuff said...