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Tropic Thunder Blu-ray Review

The Movie

Tropic Thunder amazed audiences when it came out earlier this year. What originally looked to be a highly entertaining, if not stupid, comedy turned out to be a highly entertaining, action-packed comedy that lampoons not only war movies, but also a host of Hollywood clichés and personalities.

The film revolves around three fading actors-the award winner (Robert Downey, Jr.), the action star (Ben Stiller), and the comedian with a declining quality of films (Jack Black). Joining them is the up-and-coming rap superstar with a number of licensed products (Brandon Jackson). They're brought together when director Damien Cockburn (Steve Coogan) decides to make an epic, big-budget war film. Unfortunately for him, the stars don't give a rat's ass about the production, and after only weeks of shooting the film is already way behind schedule, and way above budget.

Cue the Vietnam vet who wrote the book the in-movie movie is based upon, who suggests that to make it authentic, they film in the Vietnam jungles where soldiers once fought. Thinking the idea brilliant, Cockburn flies them out and begins trying to film guerilla style, with fake traps, actors, and events scripted unbeknownst to the actors in order to get realistic and lifelike reactions. Unfortunately, things go horribly wrong when the four actors find themselves not in the middle of the movie, but in the middle of a real warzone, with real Vietnamese drug lords hunting them down in order to kill the "American troops."

The movie works on a number of levels. On one hand, it's brilliant as an over-the-top comedic action title. Stiller and his crew worked on the script for nearly a decade, and it shows through both the dialog, action, and referential treatment of Hollywood throughout. Tom Cruise, in the most brilliant performance he's given in years, plays an aging, balding, overweight film exec who cares only about the money and not the people in the movies. Meanwhile, the four stars, their agents, the director, the author, the sound guy, and many other cameo appearances parody any number of Hollywood ideas and personalities. Viewed as either a satire of war films, or as a satire of Hollywood, Tropic Thunder delivers on both levels with A-list performances, memorable scenes, and lots of fun action.

The Disc

The Blu-ray transfer of the film is, in one word, incredible. Presented in 1080p and an AVC-encoded package, the colors are vibrant, blacks are great, and the action on screen is bright and pops realistically. From textures of clothing and plants to mottled, grimy skin, the details are explicitly clear in the film; much more so than in theaters. It's a great film visually, and further testament to Paramount's ongoing claim as the best publisher of Blu-ray titles.

The TrueHD audio is no different. While there's little in terms of subtlety and cleanness throughout the film, the action is very clear, the bass is booming, and the ambiance of the jungle comes through as if you're there. Both visually and audibly, Tropic Thunder on Blu-Ray is reference quality that will impress any guests.

Unfortunately, while the special features are entertaining, there's nothing unique to the Blu-ray version-save the need to access BD-Live to watch two of them. The features list is a carbon copy of the DVD release, and while the extras are presented in high-def, it would have been nice to get some BR-exclusives.

There's the usual commentaries, deleted scenes, and production features. The most entertaining extras are easily the Rain of Madness mockumentary, which is a parody of the Hearts of Darkness documentary from Apocalypse Now, and Full Mags, which features alternate improvisations from the set by the crew. Rain of Madness is hilarious, and at 30 minutes is quite beefy for what it is. If you enjoy documentaries or have even watched one, it's a must-see because you'll be laughing your ass off.

In the end, Tropic Thunder on Blu-ray is a must-buy for fans of comedy, action, or satire. It's a wonderfully biting and intelligent movie filled with plenty of explosive action, and presented with one of the cleanest video and audio transfers out yet. Buy it, watch it, love it, watch it again-just don't skip it.

Movie: 4.5/5

Disc: 5/5

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