Tropic Thunder (2008)

Director:

Ben Stiller

Writers (WGA):

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

Release Date:

13 August 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Comedy | Thriller

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:

Film Within A Film | Fake Trailer | Bloody Nose | Satire | Graphic Violence

Awards:

1 win

US Showtimes:

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Cast

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

MPAA:

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

Runtime:

107 min

Country:

USA | Germany

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | SDDS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R | UK:15 | Brazil:16 | Iceland:16 | Ireland:16 | Canada:13+ (Québec) | Australia:MA | USA:R CORRECT: REPLACE WITH: (certificate #44367) | Netherlands:16 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A (Alberta/Manitoba/Ontario) | New Zealand:R16 | Sweden:15 | Canada:18A (British Columbia) | Finland:K-13

Filming Locations:

Hawaii, USA

Company:

Goldcrest Pictures

Trivia:

The title is a play on "Tropic Lightning," nickname of the 25th Infantry Division which did see action in Vietnam.

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): At one point, Tugg says one actor may win a Teen Choice Award, and claims that "they'll slime you and everything!". Teen Choice Award winners get surfboards. The Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards show is famous for sliming winners.

Quotes:

Kirk Lazarus: I don't read the script. The script reads me.

Movie Connections:

Spoofs Platoon (1986)

Soundtrack:

I Love Tha Pussy

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.