John's Movie Musings

You ever miss a movie that everyone else on the planet has seen? And then you have to suffer for months hearing about how great it is. Each passing day slowly chips at your psyche while you wake up every morning with the thought of, "Today I'm less awesome than yesterday."

Tropic Thunder was like that for me. I kept hearing about how it was the funniest movie of the summer and that even Tom Cruise Haters love it. Well it finally showed up last week and to use the newest, official word in English language...it was meh.

Now obviously a movie with this much anticipation is going to be a letdown. But it was more than that. You see, Tropic Thunder is just Galaxy Quest with an R rating. And not as funny. Sure there are parts that are great. Robert Downy Jr, for instance. But it's the same "actors get thrust into a real life situation while thinking they are still acting" plot dropped into Vietnam, Sim City-style.

Galaxy Quest was (is) great because it's a very quotable movie. Just like So I Married an Axe Murderer. Those comedies get their laughs from the witty dialog that allow you to insert into everyday situations for a well-timed joke.

Tropic Thunder opts for shock jokes. Those can be funny, but only if used with restraint. For example, a child that drops a surprise F-bomb in the grocery store can be hilarious. A child that curses like a sailor is not funny and only makes people uncomfortable. Same with movies. Unfortunately, Tropic Thunder wears out its shock limit and runs out of funny.

Skip this and go watch Galaxy Quest.

Grade: C