We’ve marveled at the stills of Robert Downey Jr. pulling a John Howard Griffin in Ben Stiller’s action-comedy Tropic Thunder; now, with the release of the theatrical teaser, it’s time to see if the performance is as good as the makeup. Dear god, it’s actually better.
I can’t get a fix on what kind of accent Downey is going for (if any); it’s got a little Creole flavor to it (with a tinge of Keith David), which makes the whole garish caricature even more ridiculous. As a parody of stunt performances, it’s savage without being completely offensive. What I particularly love about the concept of his character is that it satirizes white guilt, celebrity vanity and the dependably one-note portrayal of black men in modern war films (thankfully, The Walking Dead redressed these grievances). I just hope they they nickname him “Motown”.
Downey’s far enough out on that limb that I don’t mind the his co-stars, namely Stiller and Jack Black, playing it safe as, respectively, a narcissistic movie star and an arrogant slob. It’s beginning to look like they’ve designed the film as a Downey showcase, which should absolutely work in their favor (he’s got that Iron Man thing opening in May). If they don’t run the character into the ground, this could be Downey’s Captain Jack Sparrow (i.e. a performance that gets him back in the favor of the Academy). He is well overdue for some trophy love.
DreamWorks goes wide with Tropic Thunder on August 15th.
18 comments
Holy shit, this looks great. Downey will rule in this one fo' shizzle. And Jack Black looks like a fat Klaus Kinski…the poster for The Fatties, if you look close enough, is ingenious.
Nick Nolte also looks like he'll be a true wildfire here.
Wow. I was excited about this movie before, but now its moved close to the top of my list of movies I want to see this summer. Great fucking trailer. I've liked Downey for years, so its great to see him climbing back up to the top.
I think Stiller should stick to writing/directing/acting in his own stuff. He's really at his best when he's in control. Otherwise you get 5 years of bad movies that he has to attempt to carry and simply cannot. So it is really great to see how strong this film looks and to see one of the better comedic minds working today back on his game.
I am so excited for this movie I can hardly contain it. I agree that Stiller should only direct his own stuff, but come on… any movie with Downey in Black Face is going to be awesome.
I'm rooting for Ben Stiller here. 'Zoolander' was one of the first movies to be released post 9/11, which was some shitty luck. It would be great for this to become a hit (assuming it's good). He really is at his best writing and directing his own stuff.
And the NAACP protest begins in 3, 2, 1…..
I either didn't realize or forgot that Justin Theroux was the main writer on this. Realizing or remembering that combined with the trailer puts this on radar for the summer.
It's like Delta Farce but FUNNY!
Bob – Zoolander has become a cult classic since.
Jesus was Zoolander really that good? I remember the male-model mugging of Stiller wearing pretty thin, but for all the gushing I'm seeing lately I'll have to check that movie out again. The cover still gives me the mehs, and I remember a criminal shortage of Billy Zane as well. I still don't believe you all.
OMG it's a remake of the Three Amigos in Vietnam!
You hollywood crackers gone done it again and me, the one and only al sharpton will lead the protest against this travesty of justice and bring down the mighty black fist of rage upon racist hollywood. my voice for justice will be heard wide and far, from fox news to the rachel ray show and those who hear my mighty roar will boycott this and will instead spend those hard earned dollars on my new line of al sharpton hair products guaranteed to give shine and luster to dull dry hair when your out protesting the latest injustice to be perpetrated by the white man.
Am I the only one who noticed how buff stiller is?
I must wash. 🙁
We're very disappointed in you, Mr. Smith. You go on and on, raving about this racist garbage. And yet not one article(positive or negative) on the upcoming "Meet the Browns". Shameful! And unlike Mr. Downey, Mr. Perry never used drugs to boost his creativity. He's got Jesus! In conclusion, shape up Mr. Smith and/or CHUD staff. Racism is no laughing matter. And blackface should be dead and buried. Good day.
Downey looks completely amazing in this.
All kidding aside, I am worried about the backlash from the 'Black community' when they get wind of this.
This looks awsomely funny. Can't wait!
You know, if anyone complains about Downey in black face, someone should point out White Chicks to them. I think we're mature enough now that it's all fair game.
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