Fascinating. It’s both completely random and has something compelling to say. It actually works on two levels, as a war movie comedy shoot em up, and as a fascinating look into the world behind the camera. I can’t think of a movie that’s pulled that off successfully, intentionally. Last Action Hero tried, but failed.
I hate Ben Stiller - but you guys make it sound compelling. Maybe I’ll try it.
Not just Tom Hanks- it seems as if playing a retarded or autistic character (heck, ANY kind of handicapped person) is a ticket to an Oscar nomination. Ask Dustin “Rain Man” Hoffman or John “Ryan’s Daughter” Mills, who actually WON for such roles.
Sean Penn was HORRIBLE in “I Am Sam,” but he got an Oscar nomination out of it, because Academy voters can’t get enough of that kind of thing.
Pretty random, pretty funny, definately a bit over-the-top gory in the first 1/3 of the film (really just two scenes). The one thing that had me wondering, though… A bunch of the stuff that was in the theatrical trailer isn’t actually in the movie, and I’m not sure why.
I don’t think John Mills is mentioned in Tropic Thunder - but the other three are, as is the whole concept of playing this sort of character as a path to being taken seriously as an actor (and as a path to get the Oscar) - and why Sean Penn ultimately didn’t get one for I Am Sam.
There is a very full explanation of the rules behind who wins Oscars for playing “retards”. I was going to quote them, but I don’t want to spoil the movie.
ETA: :smack: didn’t see prior post.
I see a trailer for this every time I watch a South Park episode on line. Sounds like Galaxy Quest, but with an action movie rather than a sci-fi movie (franchise).
Sure, I don’t make an effort to keep up on all the “Inside Movies” type buzz, but I am really impressed that they were successful at keeping “Super Cameo” a surprise (it’s actually more than a cameo, the character has several scenes).
If you haven’t seen the movie yet, best to go in fresh. “Super Cameo” blew me away, and the effect was enhanced in that it was a total surprise (for me).
Tom Cruise was so cool in this movie!!!
missed Edit Window
Also, it was cool that I got to sit next to Gary Cole in the movie theater! (Couple of empty seats between us, I mean- I’m not gonna creep the guy out!)
This is the same movie theater where I once used a urinal next to Ron Jeremy.
Studios often put the trailer out before the final edit is made.
I thought this was one of the best parts of the movie.
I won’t give details so as not to ruin the scene.
I have to say Tropic Thunder was a better than average summer comedy. Most of the weight and scenes owned by Robert Downey jr, ( as Kirk Lazurus)who refuses to break character.
You could see the fun these guys were having acting together.
Saw it last night and you nailed it. Robert Downey Jr carried the thing. Not that the rest didn’t put up good performances (although Jack Black failed to really shine either because of him or a dull character, I’m not sure) but Downey owned every scene he was in.
I don’t break character until I’ve recorded the DVD commentary
His action scene at the climax was awesome and hilarious at the same time.
The spouse and I saw it at the first showing this morning, so much fun. There was a little over the top grossness at the beginning (I had to look away, but I am pretty much squeamish) but overall it was a lot of fun.
My impressions of the trailers were extremely terrible, but I’m surprised to see some positive reviews here.
My husband and I saw this today and laughed so hard so often that we’ll have to see it again just to catch the bits we missed because we were laughing so much. Oh my god is this movie warped, wonderfully so! If I didn’t know that Burn After Reading was on the way, I’d say this has to be the best comedy of the year. Can’t wait to see it again. Yeah, not great great, but damn damn good.
There was a big protest going on outside the theater when we left, but we just (gently) pushed through with our heads down and without saying anything to anyone. Like most protests, I’m sure none of them had seen the film, but it’s harder to visibly roll your eyes at disabled people than religious nutters.
I recall reading about protests by visually-impaired people in front of cinemas showing Leslie Nielsen’s Mr. Magoo. (And they weren’t even protesting that it was a crappy movie!)
I attended a screening of The Birth of the Nation at my undergrad university way back when, and there was a group of black students politely asking each person entering the campus cinema not to see it.
And then there were the protests surrounding Arnold Schwarzenegger’s True Lies.
Protests are just so much free publicity.
I saw it tonight. Didn’t see any protestors. I think anyone who thinks the movie mocks mentally disabled people is completely missing the point. The movie is about mocking actors, through and through. Downey’s commentary about what determines whether a “retard” portrayal will win an Oscar or not is right on the money.
Since Ben Stiller is talking about the Tom Cruise cameo in television interviews, I don’t think it has to be spoiled anymore. I’ll just say that, amazingly enough, he might give the funniest performance in the movie. Jon Stewart told Stiller on TDS that he might have single-handedly made Tom Cruise likeable again. I concur.
My favorite line:
I’ll tell you what, fuckface…why don’t you take a big step back, and literally FUCK YOUR OWN FACE!
I personally can’t wait to see Satan’s Alley.
Yeah, I wondered what Tobey Maguire was doing nowadays. He’s hot as a monk!
Agreed about Tom Cruise. He may be a crazy cult dupe but he’s an excellent actor and damn he was fantastic in this!
The surprise for me was seeing Matthew McConaghy and what happened with his character at the end.
heeee.