“Tropic Thunder” (2008) – Tom Cruise’s Captivating Comedy Classic

Writer/Director: Ben Stiller

Starring: Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Robert Downey Jr.

‘A Captivating Comedy’

Few actors in Hollywood are as beloved today as Matthew McConaughey. Following his rise to stardom during the 1990’s, McConaughey has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s AIDS victims, magical strippers or interstellar space travellers, McConaughey has portrayed many strong characters. Arguably, McConaughey’s greatest strength as an actor has always been his likability. He’s one of those actors that has never been afraid of taking risks in his career. McConaughey has always given a relaxed vibe playing characters that take enjoyment in their life. Through his abilities to portray characters that are compelling, McConaughey has built a legacy that’s lasting. A celebrated icon in the film industry, McConaughey has become an actor which audiences always regard highly. An actor with the ability to portray characters that are misunderstood, McConaughey has stood the test of time as an icon in Hollywood. Throughout a long-lasting career, McConaughey has made several unforgettable movies that are worth watching.

I’m a huge fan of McConaughey and adore all the films he has made in his career. However, “Tropic Thunder” is my favourite. Ever since its release in 2008, Matthew McConaughey’s film has stood the test of time as a comic classic. Packed with breathtaking action, engrossing storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best comedies ever made. At the centre of it all is a phenomenal performance by Matthew McConaughey, who plays a comical manager of an actor. Ultimately, what makes “Tropic Thunder” a war masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about consequences of war which would resonate with everyone. Unlike most comedies, the film tackles universal themes that everyone would relate to. A captivating comedy about Vietnam war, there are countless strong reasons why “Tropic Thunder” is a movie which is definitely worth watching.

“Tropic Thunder” tells the story of a group of actors that embark on a journey to make the produce expensive war movie ever. Ben Stiller embodies Tugg Speedman, an actor that has ambition of finding success in the film industry. Accompanied by his loyal manager Rick Peck (Matthew McConaughey), Speedman embarks on a journey to make the most expensive war movie in history. However, Speedman’s dreams of success are threatened by tragedies of war. Facing a dilemma, Tugg begins questioning if he will ever be able to overcome war causing trauma. Trapped in a troublesome situation, Tugg wonders whether he will ever be able to gain success in his profession. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Tugg questions whether he will ever be able to attain success in his profession.

Ben Stiller is fascinated with comedies. Before he directed “Tropic Thunder”, Stiller has made great comedies in his career. His world-famous comedy “Zoolander” provided an engrossing depiction of fashion designers facing disaster. With “Tropic Thunder”, however, he crafted his first comedy capturing the film industry. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to satirize lives of actors which seek success, but he succeeded. Through spellbinding cinematography, Stiller captures an actor embarking upon a journey to battle warfare tragedy. Visually, the film is a stunning feast for the eyes. Stiller effectively uses montages to capture the bonds between soldiers amidst war. For instance, montages elevate the opening scene. During this funny scene, Tugg forms bonds with actors filming a war movie. One admires montages capturing hardship that soldiers in war often go through. Montages are tricky techniques to use in films. As Martin Scorsese’s “The Wolf of Wall Street” suggested, montages elevate comedies about Wall Street. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through awe-inspiring visuals, Stiller captures actors filming scenes which are terrifying.

Another admirable aspect of “Tropic Thunder” that merits appreciation is production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Stiller has always excelled at choosing the production for his movies, and “Tropic Thunder” is no exception. Stiller effectively uses locations in Vietnam to capture actors embarking upon a mission. For instance, the real-life locations of Vietnam elevate the warfare scene. During this unforgettable scene, Tugg witnessed his film producer die in the forests of Vietnam. It’s hard to not appreciate real-life locations capturing tensions that actors filming movies go through. Real-life locations are tricky techniques to use in Vietnam films. As Robert Zemeckis’ “Forrest Gump” suggested, real-life locations enhance literature adaptations. Nevertheless, it works extremely in this movie. Moreover, the musical score is dazzling. Theodore Shapiro’s music is integral to the success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing harsh realities of warfare. Through bold production-design Stiller demonstrates actors whose lives decline.

Storytelling is one of the reasons why “Tropic Thunder” is a comedy that’s compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses humour to hint at dangers endured by actors filming a war production. Throughout the film, Stiller effectively uses tragicomedy to capture the harsh realities of war. It isn’t easy to infuse humour into a sensitive subject matter of war, but Stiller pulls it off immensely. At times, the movie is hilarious in its depiction of a group of narcissistic actors filming a fake war movie. However, at the same time, the movie is also serious in depiction consequences of warfare. The two moods blend together perfectly, and combine to make a compelling comedy. For instance, the tragicomedy elevates the movie shoot scene. During this memorable scene, Tugg is shot to death in the set of a war film. One admires tragicomedy capturing actors that seek success in the film industry. Tragi-comedy is a tricky technique to use in movies. Most war movies are driven by a serious tone without any humour. Nevertheless, it worked extremely in this movie. Through engrossing storytelling, Stiller creates a comedy which is compelling.

One appreciates astonishing performances. In a star-studded cast, every actor gets chances to shine.

Matthew McConaughey gives one of his best performances as Rick Peck. McConaughey achieved appreciation for playing dazed and confused teenagers in coming-of-age movies. With “Tropic Thunder”, however, he took on his most humorous role. It isn’t easy to capture a personality of an actor manager but Matthew McConaughey succeeds tremendously. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase a comedic talent he hadn’t shown in his career before. Despite having limited screen-time in the movie, McConaughey left a lasting impression. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, frustrations and reckless nature of a manager struggling to care for an outrageous actor. It’s an outstanding performance by one of the finest actors working today.

The supporting cast is sensational and worthy of appreciation. Ben Stiller is brilliant, bringing out the comical nature of an actor with a sharp sense of humour. Robert Downey Jr. is riveting, bringing a strong sense of humour to an actor wearing blackface. Lastly, Tom Cruise merits appreciation. As a crude Hollywood producer, he brings hilarious comical relief towards the movie.

Finally, “Tropic Thunder” would definitely earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing the lives of actors which face disaster. Unlike most comedies, the film tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It discusses universal themes including identity, racism and war which would strike a chord with everyone. It delivers a strong message about the consequences of warfare which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with the Vietnam War to admire it. Therefore, “Tropic Thunder” is one of those rare comedies that everyone would adore.

Fans of Matthew McConaughey will definitely appreciate “Tropic Thunder” and so will movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A captivating comedy classic, it celebrates a legendary actor that has built a legacy which is iconic.

Nearly 20 years following the release of a groundbreaking comedy about comical actors seeking success filming war movies in tropic forests with thunderous consequences which prove to be frightening, it’s a riveting reminder of an awe-inspiring actor that has gained a huge fan following through his abilities to portray larger-than-life characters that are compelling whose engaging movies are definitely worth celebrating.

5/5 stars