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Tropic Thunder

  • 2008
  • R
  • 1h 47m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
468K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
299
1
Robert Downey Jr., Ben Stiller, and Jack Black in Tropic Thunder (2008)
Trailer for Tropic
Play trailer2:30
19 Videos
99+ Photos
High-Concept ComedyJungle AdventureParodySatireActionComedyWar

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.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.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.

  • Director
    • Ben Stiller
  • Writers
    • Justin Theroux
    • Ben Stiller
    • Etan Cohen
  • Stars
    • Ben Stiller
    • Jack Black
    • Robert Downey Jr.
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.1/10
    468K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    299
    1
    • Director
      • Ben Stiller
    • Writers
      • Justin Theroux
      • Ben Stiller
      • Etan Cohen
    • Stars
      • Ben Stiller
      • Jack Black
      • Robert Downey Jr.
    • 782User reviews
    • 258Critic reviews
    • 71Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 10 wins & 47 nominations total

    Videos19

    Tropic Thunder
    Trailer 2:30
    Tropic Thunder
    Tropic Thunder
    Trailer 2:27
    Tropic Thunder
    Tropic Thunder
    Trailer 2:27
    Tropic Thunder
    Tropic Thunder
    Clip 0:32
    Tropic Thunder
    Tropic Thunder
    Clip 1:04
    Tropic Thunder
    Tropic Thunder
    Clip 0:44
    Tropic Thunder
    Tropic Thunder
    Clip 1:07
    Tropic Thunder

    Photos292

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    + 286
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    Top cast80

    Edit
    Ben Stiller
    Ben Stiller
    • Tugg Speedman - Hot LZ
    Jack Black
    Jack Black
    • Jeff Portnoy - Hot LZ
    Robert Downey Jr.
    Robert Downey Jr.
    • Kirk Lazarus - Hot LZ
    Jeff Kahn
    Jeff Kahn
    • Snooty Waiter - Fatties Trailer
    Anthony Ruivivar
    Anthony Ruivivar
    • Platoon Sergeant Shot in Head - Hot LZ
    Jay Baruchel
    Jay Baruchel
    • Kevin Sandusky - Hot LZ
    Brandon T. Jackson
    Brandon T. Jackson
    • Alpa Chino - Hot LZ
    Eric Winzenried
    Eric Winzenried
    • Chopper Pilot - Hot LZ
    Steve Coogan
    Steve Coogan
    • Damien Cockburn - Vietnam Crew
    Valerie Azlynn
    Valerie Azlynn
    • Damien's Assistant - Vietnam Crew
    Matt Levin
    Matt Levin
    • Cameraperson - Vietnam Crew
    David Pressman
    David Pressman
    • First Assistant Director - Vietnam Crew
    Amy Stiller
    Amy Stiller
    • Script Supervisor - Vietnam Crew
    Danny McBride
    Danny McBride
    • Cody - Vietnam Crew
    Dempsey Silva
    • Special Effects Assistant - Vietnam Crew
    Bill Hader
    Bill Hader
    • Studio Executive Rob Slolom - Vietnam Crew
    Nick Nolte
    Nick Nolte
    • Four Leaf Tayback - Vietnam Crew
    Jeff Weidemann
    • Speedman Assistant - Vietnam Crew
    • (as Jeff Weideman)
    • Director
      • Ben Stiller
    • Writers
      • Justin Theroux
      • Ben Stiller
      • Etan Cohen
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews782

    7.1468.3K
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    Featured reviews

    9gerby2323

    Satire died after this

    How far we've come in 15 years. This movie barks at and pokes at and makes fun of every genre, class, society, movie, race, etc. It's fantastic and gets better every watch. Probably because these jokes wouldn't fly today.

    A comedy cloaked in a war movie cloaked in a war movie being made. Pure gold.

    Cast is amazing. You'll catch more jokes the more you watch it.

    Offensive? Sure. Don't come into this trying to be offended. If you're tough skinned, you'll still be offended. Comedy at its best should do this. It should poke holes. And make fun. Comedy should shine light on the dark areas. The best always have and continue to be.

    I hope you enjoy, I always do.
    8benaboo

    Ben Stiller's Best Movie!

    This is hands down Ben Stiller's best movie. It has great action, great dialogue, great acting, great music and great humor. This movie is filled with quotable lines and works very well. The performances I have to single out for praise are Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr, Jay Baruchel, Matthew McConaughey, and Tom Cruise. I feel like this movie approaches it's themes in a way similar to Blazing Saddles but Blazing Saddles has a lot more slapstick. The Tugg Speedman character is not as memorable as Derek Zoolander but this movie is far better than Zoolander is. This is my favorite Ben Stiller movie alongside Meet The Fockers, Zoolander, Starsky and Hutch, and Night At The Museum 1 and 3 but I still haven't seen There's Something About Mary. I honestly prefer Robert Downey Jr as Kirk Lazuras over him as Iron Man but they are both fantastic performances. Tom Cruise is awesome as Less Grossman. He owns his character that is very different from everything else he has done. I hope Ben Stiller is proud of this movie because to me this is his best one.
    7comedyfan71

    'Man, I don't drop character 'till I done the DVD commentary.'

    Tropic Thunder is a 2008 parody film and is amongst the funniest films of the 2000s without a doubt.

    The humour doesn't shy away from what is deemed to be politically incorrect nowadays, but looking past all that it's a very funny film.

    The self awareness provided throughout is entertaining and the dialogues pack a punch. The all-star cast all embody their characters really well and do a great job at satirising the hollywood film industry.

    The story, like a lot of other comedies is not the film's strong point, and some of the film's scenes aren't overly funny but many are.

    So many great lines in here too. Worth a viewing.
    9joiningjt

    Phenomenal performance by Robert Downey jr, INCREDIBLE!!!

    Great movie in all aspects but this performance by Robert Downey jr is proof that the Oscar's are all political and the voters have NO clue what an ACTUAL great performance is!!! NONE , his performance was incredible, he stays in character and it's his character nobody to copy. Everyone is exceptional in this movie, great cast not original story but fun to watch I've seen this movie 5 times and it hasn't lost any luster!! Buying the bluray was a no brainer!!!
    7if-i-could-stay

    Sharp Satire

    'Tropic Thunder' is the sharpest, nastiest, and most honest parody of Hollywood since Altman's 'The Player'.

    If Doweny Jr. in black face, the script's use of "retard", or the politically incorrect humor offends you, you're missing the point.

    Only Russel Crowe, Robin Williams, and Harvey Weinstein should take offense. The parodies of their personalities, their films, and their business tactics are downright cruel. (But, so, so true, and so brilliant.) I must credit every actor -- particularly Downey Jr. and Cruise -- for their performances, and for making their characters more than stereotypes for cheap laughs.

    The more you know about Hollywood, the more you will appreciate the film. If not, just go and laugh at the genre. It takes balls to leave in a scene discussing how Blue-Ray conquered HD-DVD (and expect anyone to fine it funny). But it is funny.

    To utterly relish the insanity, brush up on 'Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse'.

    They got it so right. So, so, so right.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Ben Stiller said nearly all aspects of the Les Grossman character were developed by Tom Cruise, including the dancing and the look of the make-up. Stiller said that in addition to the more obvious make-up effects applied to Cruise's face and head, and the extra hair on his chest and arms, Cruise also decided to play the character wearing oversized prosthetic hands.
    • Goofs
      The drug traffickers encountered late in the film, despite being in Laos (Sandusky estimates they're not in Vietnam anymore), speak Mandarin Chinese - a fact noted by Kirk, who uses his crappy knowledge of it to attempt to bluff his way into the heroin plant.
    • Quotes

      Les Grossman: First, take a big step back... and literally, FUCK YOUR OWN FACE! I don't know what kind of pan-pacific bullshit power play you're trying to pull here, but Asia Jack is my territory. So whatever you're thinking, you'd better think again! Otherwise I'm gonna have to head down there and I will rain down an un-Godly fucking firestorm upon you! You're gonna have to call the fucking United Nations and get a fucking binding resolution to keep me from fucking destroying you. I'm talking scorched earth, motherfucker! I will massacre you! I WILL FUCK YOU UP!

    • Crazy credits
      Movie begins with advertisement and fake trailers where the "actors" appear.
    • Alternate versions
      There is a director's extended cut which is available on the 3-disc special edition in the UK which contains more footage - runtime of overall film is 116 minutes on back of DVD case.
    • Connections
      Edited into Yoostar 2: In the Movies (2011)
    • Soundtracks
      I Love Tha Pussy
      Written by Darryl Farmer, Ronald Jackson, Brandon T. Jackson, Cisco Adler & Micah Givens

      Performed by Brandon T. Jackson

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 13, 2008 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • United Kingdom
      • Germany
    • Official site
      • Official Facebook
    • Languages
      • English
      • Mandarin
    • Also known as
      • Una guerra de película
    • Filming locations
      • Kaua'i, Hawaii, USA
    • Production companies
      • Dreamworks Pictures
      • Red Hour Films
      • Goldcrest Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $92,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $110,515,313
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $25,812,796
      • Aug 17, 2008
    • Gross worldwide
      • $195,703,351
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 47 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • SDDS
      • Dolby Digital
      • DTS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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