Tropic Thunder (2008)

Director:

Ben Stiller

Writers (WGA):

Ben Stiller (screenplay) &
Justin Theroux (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

13 August 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Comedy | War

Tagline:

The movie they think they're making... isn't a movie anymore.

Plot:

Through a series of freak occurrences, a group of actors shooting a big-budget war movie are forced to become the soldiers they are portraying.

Plot Keywords:

Actor | Drugs | Southeast Asia | Rescue | Heroin

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 9 wins & 16 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Sun. Dec. 13	3:25 AM	HBO
Wed. Dec. 16	12:05 AM	HBO
Fri. Dec. 18	9:00 PM	HBO

Cast

Jeff Kahn	...	Snooty Waiter - Fatties Trailer
Robert Downey Jr.	...	Kirk Lazarus - Hot LZ
Anthony Ruivivar	...	Platoon Sergeant Shot in Head - Hot LZ
Jack Black	...	Jeff Portnoy - Hot LZ
Jay Baruchel	...	Kevin Sandusky - Hot LZ
Brandon T. Jackson	...	Alpa Chino - Hot LZ
Ben Stiller	...	Tugg Speedman - Hot LZ
Eric Winzenried	...	Chopper Pilot - Hot LZ
Steve Coogan	...	Damien Cockburn - Vietnam Crew
Valerie Azlynn	...	Damien's Assistant - Vietnam Crew
Matt Levin	...	Cameraperson - Vietnam Crew
David Pressman	...	First Assistant Director - Vietnam Crew
Amy Stiller	...	Script Supervisor - Vietnam Crew
Danny McBride	...	Cody - Vietnam Crew
Dempsey Silva	...	Special Effects Assistant - Vietnam Crew

MPAA:

Rated R for pervasive language including sexual references, violent content and drug material.

Runtime:

107 min | USA:121 min (unrated director's cut)

Country:

USA | UK | Germany

Language:

English | Mandarin

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

UK:15 | Ireland:16 | New Zealand:R16 | Australia:MA | Canada:14A (Alberta/Manitoba/Ontario) | Canada:18A (British Columbia) (Canadian Home Video rating) | Canada:13+ (Québec) | Sweden:15 | Iceland:16 | Netherlands:16 | Finland:K-13 | Brazil:16 | Singapore:M18 | Japan:PG-12 | Portugal:M/12 | South Africa:16LV | Germany:12 | USA:R (NO. 44367) | Argentina:13 | Peru:14 | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Philippines:R-13 (MTRCB) | France:U | Malaysia:18PL (cut) | Argentina:16 (DVD rating) | South Korea:18 | Austria:12 | Denmark:15 | Ireland:15 (DVD rating) | Hong Kong:III | Norway:15

Filming Locations:

Hawaii, USA

Company:

DreamWorks SKG

Trivia:

The character of Kirk Lazarus (Robert Downey Jr.) was originally written as Irish. It was changed to Australian, when Robert Downey Jr. said it would be easier for him to improvise in an Australian accent - something he'd done with his character, Wayne Gale, in Natural Born Killers (1994).

Goofs:

Continuity: During the assault on the heroin plant, the actors have 4 M16's but there are only 3 people equipped with M16's at the drop-off - Tugg (captured), Sandusky and Alpa. So they would only have access to 2 M16's a shotgun and a M60, not 4 M16's and no other weapons.

Quotes:

Scorcher Preview Narrator: Now, the only person who could make a difference before, will make a difference again!

Movie Connections:

References Being There (1979)

Soundtrack:

The Pusher

Best comedy in years.

I just got out of a midnight showing and I was absolutely blown away. I fully expect this to be a mediocre movie at best, but it surprised me in all aspects. It was well directed, acted, the action scenes were actually very well done and pretty epic, and most of all it was hilarious. I doubt I stopped laughing for more than a minute or two. I don't want to give anything away so I will keep it brief, but do yourself a favor and see this in theaters with friends.

PS. As a black man, I did not find Robert Downey Jr.'s character offensive at all. He was probably the most hilarious character in the movie.