Tropic Thunder

So, I saw Tropic Thunder. Twice. On the same day. It is actually that funny.

Robert Downey Jr. gives the performance of a lifetime. Oscar worthy. His black guy act is far and away the most dead on balls accurate and hilarious thing I have ever seen. He spits nothing but comedic pearls from start to finish, especially when sparring with authentic black product hustler / semi rapper, MTV puppet, and all around young, black and proud Alpa Chino, played wonderfully by Brandon T. Jackson. Downey's emotional words about the "N" word while in the arms of Jackson made me spit Diet Coke out of my nose all over my Voits.

I was ready for Ben Stiller's character Tugg Speedman to get old fast, and it did. BUT, another character he portrays in another movie within this movie was hysterical. Simple Jack. You just have to see Simple Jack. My description would do it no justice. Thankfully, with the help of his role as another character, Stiller remains freshly funny until the end.

Newcomer Jay Baruchel does a fantastic job playing the young, smart, sensible and resourceful rookie Kevin Sandusky. I see him climbing up the Hollywood comedy ladder in short order thanks to Tropic Thunder. His role as the cohesive voice of reason for the group of moronic primadonnas in the film transcends the fictional dischord among the characters and genuinely holds the actual film together quite well.

What can I say about Jack Black? He has become increasingly annoying over the past six or seven years, but his role as the drug addicted, Farleyesque, Hollywood ham Jeff Portnoy is downright funny. The faux trailer for his blockbuster comedy "The Fatties" is enough to make you tear up with laughter. I crack up just thinking about it.

Tom Cruise is pretty funny as sleezy, hairy, gold chain wearing mega producer Les Grossman. This was definitely a move to get him out of his current status as a complete and utter lunatic. Well done, Tom. We will always love you, and we appreciate your jumping into zany roles like this. But, man you are bat shit crazy.

Mathew McConaughey plays Stiller (Tugg's) manager. The part is played well because he is really just playing himself as a manager instead of the lead in a crappy romantic comedy. Matthew M. in real life is so mindblowingly terrible I have a hard time looking at him without cringing. I know I know, he was so funny in Dazed Confused. Got it. Now, put a shirt on brah.

Steve Coogan: We welcome you with open arms into American film. His short-lived role as the films director is solid, but in no way does it showcase his talent as a comedian . He is a comedic genius in real life, but in this film his facial expressions do most of the work for him. Also, his final scene is memorable to say the very least.

Also, Nick Nolte plays it gritty and tough perfectly with a few funny lines here and there.

Two Thumbs way up for this one. Five Stars.