In the Shit

What a mess. In attempting to satirize Hollywood excess, Tropic Thunder folds under it's own loud, annoying, spectacle. It becomes what it pretends to critique. And if that's the point, this film is far too stupid to carry such big, broad themes.

Ben Stiller over-directs the silly. His brand is better suited for compilation. It collapses in feature-length. Here, he syphons an intelligent script (co-written with Justin Theroux and Etan Cohen) dry of insight. Each joke is beaten cold. It's exhausting. Stiller and his film are much more potent when dealing in cunning. One character even quips, "There's a 't' in subtle?" Great line. Completely undressed. Funny without calling attention. I'm not sure who Stiller trusts less, his audience or himself. His films have always been at odds, navigating the line between sly and slapstick. He's yet to balance a satisfying whole. More miss, than win.

That's not to say Tropic Thunder is without laughs. There are many. Most involve Robert Downey Jr. who underplays outrageous better than most. His performance here belongs in a Coen Bros. film. They understand satire needs strict direction and rule to work. Instead, Tropic Thunder goes for the kill. And if those jokes aren't hitting, there is no point.

And don't get me started on Tom Cruise. His screen time is frequent, persistent, and entirely unwelcome. This is not a cameo as some reviews have suggested. Cruise is like grape soda. Dousing this overweight film in empty calories. Embarrassing.

(Editor's note: A friend made a most valid observation of the difficulties in succeeding in 'action comedy'. He's right. Level direction of two extreme genres requires restraint. The comedy needs to relieve the mayhem. I'm interested to see if Pineapple Express gets it. The 80's and early 90's are the heyday. Midnight Run, Lethal Weapon, The Last Boyscout, and especially The Long Kiss Goodnight come to mind.)