First, there was concern over Robert Downey Jr. in blackface, now a disability activist group wants to boycott the movie because Ben Stiller’s character uses the term “retard” mockingly. Tropic Thunder just can’t get a politically correctness break! Don’t they know this movie is a comedy? These characters are simply tools of satire and humor. The filmmakers are poking fun at the obvious plays actors (and studios) make for Oscars when a famous actor supposedly transforms him/herself into mentally challenged characters or some other disparaged group. Jack Black is even a parody of himself since he portrays the “funny” comedian/actor character.

It goes without saying that Tropic Thunder is definitely dancing the fine line between comedy and offensiveness, but who can hate on Robert Downey Jr? His character is obviously supposed to be so wrapped up in his own ego to realize that undergoing a medical procedure to appear African-American doesn’t make you authentic, you’re just ridiculous and come off as offensive. Same goes for Stiller’s character whose supposed to play the big action star that gets nominated for an Oscar after playing a disabled character.

The best part of the movie isn’t the characterization, but is when these actors get there comeuppance. The movie director (Steve Coogan) has enough of all of his stars’ diva antics, so he tricks them into filming a fake Apocalypse Now movie. The director installs hidden camcorders and films the actors when they think the cameras are off, the idiocy of his stars will be the actual film within the film (further parodying Apocalypse by doing a Hearts of Darkness parody!). Unlucky for the cast and crew, the three stars find themselves thrown into a real life military situation with the film location’s local guerrilla groups. They’ll have to lose the ego and learn how to apply their method acting skills towards survival!

If you can overlook the political correctness and are a fan of these comedic actors, I think Tropic Thunder is worth watching.

Related links:
Rain of Madness (the fake documentary website)
Tropic Thunder viral videos on First Showing
Tropic Thunder Reviews on Rotten Tomatoes