Tropic Thunder - Articles - Zimbio

Blu-ray Review: You Have to Buy 'Tropic Thunder' and Here are All the Reasons Why

Mon, 18 Nov 2008 08:13:33 GMT

posted by ropeofsilicon
It's been a long time since I have enjoyed a DVD or Blu-ray release as much as I enjoyed this one. Sure, some good movies have come my way, but for the most part the majority of special features and extra content never really does anything to get me too excited. The Tropic Thunder Director's Cut DVD and Blu-ray not only offer an extended look at the funniest film of the year, but it also comes equipped with features you are going to want to watch as opposed to features you will skim through. This isn't to say all of the features are good, but there are a couple that make the release worthwhile on their own.

Throughout this review you will see screenshots taken directly from the DVD release accompanied by captions either describing what you are seeing or quoting what the actor was saying when the image was captured. As we go through I think you will understand what I am talking about and why I think this is such a great release.

First for the director's cut of the film, this release is about 13 minutes longer than the theatrical release and several of the scenes that have been tossed back in the film were taken out for good reason and would have brought the film down when it comes to a theatrical release, primarily for their redundancy or the fact that they just didn't need to be in there. However, on home video these scenes serve as a bonus because they are just as funny as the scenes in the film, and considering this is a comedy isn't that the overall goal? On top of added scenes there is also an increase in the violence, primarily the gory gutting of Jay Baruchel's character at the beginning of the film. The other obviously new scene is a party that takes place on night on set.

The 2 disc DVD and the Blu-ray release comes with a pair of audio commentaries: one boring and one worth the price of the entire disc. The boring one involves Ben Stiller along with co-writer Justin Theroux, cinematographer John Toll, editor Greg Hayden and producer Stuart Cornfeld. This is basically your run-of-the-mill commentary that you couldn't care less if you listened or not. There are a few interesting nuggets in it (such as learning the Booty Sweat ad was shot on Thanksgiving morning at 2 AM) but overall nothing too great. The commentary with Stiller, Robert Downey Jr. and Jack Black, however, is one of the best audio commentaries I have ever listened to. This commentary is so good I actually started watching the film a second time and switched to the commentary instead of the actual film.

I am not sure if any of you remember in the film where Downey's character says, "I don't drop character until after I've done the DVD commentary." Well, he wasn't lying. When the commentary began I started to think they may have taken the joke too far, but as it gets going it is as if it is an alternate cut of the film as Downey mirrors the accent of his character in the film jumping from Lincoln Osiris, to his Vietnamese impersonation, into Australian and finally his normal voice as the credits begin to roll. You will thoroughly enjoy this commentary, trust me.

The features continue on disc two of the DVD and on the single Blu-ray disc with a large group of making of featurettes, a mockumentary, deleted scenes, extended scenes, an alternate ending and so much more. One of the most impressive bits is the "Full Mags" featurette teased above where you actually get to look at a complete magazine of film, approximately 11 minutes, as an entire moment of dialogue is down over and over again and you get to see the process of how it was made and how the actors improvised. One strange thing of note, however, is that the DVD version actually carries four different scenes whereas the Blu-ray disc only has one. My assumption here is that the rest will be made available once the BD-Live feature goes live for the Blu-ray, but I just thought it was odd the DVD actually carried more than the Blu-ray disc in this instance.

Another fantastic feature is the mockumentary Rain of Madness, a making-of the film inside the film kind of deal spoofing Hearts of Darkness which was made based on the making of Apocalypse Now. During promotion for the film Paramount released mini featurettes called "Dispatches from the Edge of Madness" (which can also be found on the DVD and not the Blu-ray), but now the full meal deal is available. If you want a taste of what I am talking about you can watch the "Dispatches from the Edge of Madness" over on the official "Rain of Madness" website.

Rain of Madness simply builds a story beneath the story and it all actually ties into the film rather well except for a couple of instances that are ultimately explained if you listen to the audio commentaries.

Another feature of note would be the Tom Cruise make-up test in which Cruise is just scene dancing around for about 90 seconds as music plays over the top of the scene. However, the interesting thing to note is that even though music is playing during the featurette there wasn't actually any music playing while Cruise was dancing, and the fact the dancing was never even part of the film until this make-up test and it was ultimately written into the script, and as those that have seen the film know, it dominates the end credits.

Other features look at the cinematography of Oscar award winner John Toll (Legends of the Fall, Braveheart), the production design of Jeff Mann, the explosions, the casting and the whole idea behind the film, which Stiller actually reveals was initially a story about actors going to an acting boot camp of sorts and coming come back with post traumatic stress disorder. It's a funny idea that is actually explored in Rain of Madness with Downey's character, but obviously not worthy of an entire film.

Finally we get to the deleted and extended scenes and the alternate ending. Most notably, the alternate ending brings back Matt McC's character Rick Peck who is Tugg Speedman's (Stiller) agent in the film. The alternate ending shows Speedman giving his Oscar award acceptance speech and then transitions back to Vietnam where Peck has been captured by the jungle drug lords and they are sitting back watching the Oscars together. The capture above is Peck's reaction to Speedman's Oscar win.

So there you have it. That's about as in-depth as I can get on this one. You know what it offers and you know what to look for and you know exactly where to look for it. If I was to recommend one format over another I would definitely say Blu-ray because, for a comedy, this film looks fantastic! Honestly, the decision to bring in an Oscar award winning cinematographer to shoot a comedy film may seem silly, but as the commentary is playing Stiller points out that Toll even managed to make Jeff Portnoy's Fatties Fart 2 trailer look amazing.

If for no other reason than to listen to the audio commentary with Stiller, Downey and Black I say you have to buy this title. I can't imagine anyone regretting it.

Get more info on this title here!

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DVD Review: Tropic Thunder (Blu-ray)

Mon, 18 Nov 2008 03:57:44 GMT

posted by geeksofdoom
Have you ever watched a movie that your conscious mind continually told you that you shouldn’t be enjoying? That the premise was thin, the majority of the acting was way overblown, and that teetered it on the edge of “Scary Movie 15” lameness, yet somehow you found yourself laughing and having a good time? That is exactly the movie that Tropic Thunder is to me.

In order to discuss my thoughts on this film, I’m going to have to delve into some character details that may be considered spoiler territory, so be warned.

Still with me? Cool. Here we go.

Tropic Thunder is one of those “high concept” films that tells the story of the making of a film within the film itself. The idea is nothing new, and neither is Ben Stiller’s desire to skewer the profession he loves. It’s well worn territory. And while I’d love to say that Stiller, who wrote, directed, and stars in this film, walked this well worn territory in a fresh and interesting way -- I can’t. The truth is, this film offers us very little that we haven’t seen before.

The majority of the performances are exactly what you would expect, too. Stiller’s delivery is as ham-fisted as it gets. Even when playing a character this is supposed to be an over-the-top stereotype, Stiller is somehow able to bring the extra cheese. Jack Black is manic and goofy, relying on his physicality to carry his performance even though I’ve seen him at his best when reined in to a subtler performance. He needs a director who is willing to tell him that he doesn’t always have to be the Jack Black from the Kid’s Choice Awards in each and every performance. His drugged-out character spends more than half of the film in heroin withdrawal, writhing around and acting… well… like Jack Black. Nick Nolte continues to be nothing more than a parody of his unkempt mug-shot from years back. This once intense actor seems destined to take on roles that allow him to keep his stringy, filthy hair and talk in nothing but simple gravelly grunts [...]

Tropic Thunder on DVD November 18th!

Fri, 15 Nov 2008 17:40:00 GMT

posted by mommygoggles

On November 18th, Paramount Home Entertainment will release the hilarious and outrageous comedy TROPIC THUNDER on DVD and Blu-ray! One of the year's funniest films, TROPIC THUNDER includes a star-studded cast and this Director's Cut DVD has enough bonus material to keep you "in the s&*t" for days! GET SOME as TROPIC THUNDER rocks onto DVD and Blu-ray November 18th!!

I am so excited to see this Hysterical Box Office Smash! It Takes Audiences by Storm November 18, 2008 with Never-Before-Seen Footage, an Alternate Ending, a Hilarious Faux Documentary, Commentaries and Much, Much More. The advertisements for this looks like it will be a funny film!

“The best comedy of the year” (Newsweek) that “will blow your mind” (Rolling Stone) takes no prisoners when TROPIC THUNDER deploys on November 18, 2008 in a Unrated Director’s Cut on DVD and Blu-ray, as well as in a single-disc DVD from Paramount Home Entertainment. Directed by and starring Ben Stiller (Zoolander) and featuring an all-star cast including Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man), Jack Black (Kung Fu Panda), Danny McBride (Foot Fist Way), Nick Nolte (The Spiderwick Chronicles), and Steve Coogan (Hamlet 2), TROPIC THUNDER is “laugh-until-your-stomach-hurts hilarious” (San Francisco Chronicle). The film follows five pampered actors on the set of a Vietnam War movie who are thrust into real-life danger and forced to become the fighting unit they’re portraying in order to survive. The result is an over-the-top, unforgettable film that is “a knockout of a comedy that keeps you laughing” (Rolling Stone).
The TROPIC THUNDER Unrated Director’s Cut two-disc DVD set includes the feature film with over 14 minutes of never-before-seen footage and comes fully loaded with an arsenal of special features that take viewers even deeper into the s&*t including Rain of Madness, an uproarious faux documentary about the making of the film within a film, filmmaker and cast commentaries (including some in character), behind-the-scenes featurettes, cast profiles, “Dispatches from the Edge of Madness”, deleted and extended scenes, including an alternate ending, TROPIC THUNDER at the MTV Movie Awards and more.

Single-disc DVD
The TROPIC THUNDER single-disc DVD is presented in widescreen enhanced for 16:9 televisions with Dolby Digital English 5.1 Surround, French 5.1 Surround and Spanish 5.1 Surround with English, French and Spanish subtitles. Bonus features include:

Cast commentary with Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Robert Downey Jr.
Blowing S&*t Up
The Hot LZ

The Cast of Tropic Thunder

Stiller
Black
Downey Jr.
Jackson
Baruchel
McBride
Nolte

Full Mags

Portnoy Tied to Tree
Choose a Dude

Rain of Madness Trailer
MTV Movie Awards—Tropic Thunder

Tropic Thunder DVD Review

Sun, 17 Nov 2008 02:14:47 GMT

posted by jtanderson

FILM REVIEW: I was hesitant to see “Tropic Thunder” when I heard that Ben Stiller was not only starring in it, but was also the director and the writer. Over the years, the only funny movies Stiller have been in our “Meet the Parents” and “There’s Something About Mary”. In all his other movies, Stiller pretty much plays the same one dimensional character who has the same punch lines and facial expressions. In Tropic Thunder, Stiller does more of the same. So, why, if Stiller does more of the same here and even dares to director and writer would I give, “Tropic Thunder“, a good review, two reasons, Robert Downey Jr. and Tom Cruise.

In “Tropic Thunder” Tugg Speedman (Ben Stiller), Jeff Portnoy (Jack Black), Kirk Lazarus (Robert Downey Jr.) and Alpa Chino (Brandon T. Jackson) are actors who are trying to film a big budget Vietnam war movie written by Four Leaf Tayback (Nick Nolte). The director Damien Cockburn (Steve Coogan), gets angry when a very expensive scenes doesn’t go well because of the actors diva like attitude. Damien is further degraded by studio head Les Grossman (Tom Cruise) and with the advice of Four Leaf decides to shoot the movie guerilla style. Damien leads his actors into the jungle, but ends up dying after stepping in a real landmine. The actors think that it is just a special effect for the movie and proceed, with their prop guns to the next scene: a forceful engagement with a group of drug trafficking guerrillas who happen to have real guns and ammo.

Robert Downey Jr. pretty much steals the movie. Robert who is white plays an African American who sort of has an identity crisis. Even when he knows they aren’t shooting the movie any longer, he remains in character. Robert’s performance is hilarious. Another scene stealer is Tom Cruise. I’ll probably see the movie again just to see his performance. You’ve never seen Cruise play this type of character. I didn’t know he had it in him.

The low parts of the movie are Stiller and Black, which is odd since they are comedians. Black is decent, but Stiller is horrendous doing pretty much what he always does. However, he does deserve some credit for writing what could be the best comedy so far this year. Matthew McConaughey who plays Tugg Speedman’s agent is hilarious. His whole mission is to get Speedman a TIVO and it pays off at the end.

Movie Review By Milton Brayson

DVD: This is one of those 2 Disc Special Edition DVDs that it is a most have. If you are thinking about buying the movie, you should go for the 2-Disc Director’s Cut. It contains 15 more minutes of the film, behind the scenes sections, deleted and extended scenes, as well as an alternate ending. However it contains close to 1 1/2 hours of funny and fresh materials that will keep you laughing for hours. In particular the featurettes “Rain of Madness”, in which is a fake news special report about how the cast from the film Tropic Thunder disappear while shooting the film. Also the featurette Dispatches from the “Edge of Madness”, which is s behind the scenes of “Rain of Madness”, also fake. Just this two section are worth the extra money.

Release Date: November 18, 2008

DVD DETAILS
GET DVD

This entry was posted on Monday, November 17th, 2008 at 2:14 am and is filed under DVD Reviews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

P Diddys Tropic turn down

Thu, 14 Nov 2008 15:50:16 GMT

posted by marcidesign

P. Diddy says he was "not black enough" to star in 'Tropic Thunder'.

The rapper admits he auditioned for the role of an African-American actor - famously played by Caucasian star Robert Downey Jr., who used make-up to change the colour of his skin for the role - in Ben Stiller's movie, but was turned down.

He joked: "I have not been in any of Ben Stiller's movies. I guess I wasn't black enough to be in 'Tropic Thunder'. Robert Downey Jr. was a little bit blacker. I tried out for the role but I came up short. I put Ben in the video for my single 'Bad Boy for Life' and I thought he would return the favour."

The music mogul was among a host of celebrity guests at a black tie dinner honouring actor-turned-director Ben at New York's The Museum of the Moving Image on Wednesday night (12.11.08).

Other attendees included Jack Black, Mike Myers, Amy Adams and Robert De Niro - Ben's co-star in 2000 movie 'Meet the Parents' and 2004 sequel 'Meet the Fockers'.

It was recently reported Robert will be reprising his role as former CIA agent Jack Byrnes alongside Ben, Blythe Danner, Dustin Hoffman and Barbra Streisand in a third film in the movie franchise.

The movie is said to focus on Ben's character Gaylord Focker and wife Pam, played by Teri Polo, as they welcome their first child into the world.