Recommendation: Tropic Thunder (Blu-ray) (Spoilers)

Robert Downey Jr is on fire at the moment. Add a good Ben Stiller and Jack Black, backed up by some great performances and you've got a must-see comedy.

2008's Tropic Thunder follows three very different actors (played by Downey Jr, Stiller and Black), stumbling through a Vietnam war film based on the memoir by a handless war veteran (Nick Nolte), directed by a British film director (Steve Coogan) and funded by a big, overweight, hairy, hip-hop dancing white company executive (Tom Cruise). On top of that, you have lots of hilarious performances by the likes of Danny McBride, Brandon T. Jackson, Jay Baruchel, Matthew McConaughey (yes! Even Matthew McConaughey does a good job), Bill Hader (as always), Reggie Lee and fourteen year-old Brandon Soo Hoo (Twelve in 2008).

The thing I love the most about TT is that there's no need to try and squeeze jokes into the film for laughs because the story itself is already as funny as it is. Each character has their own demons they must face as the film progresses. And then on top of that they're thrown into a life-threatening situation with the Flaming Dragon drug-making Simple Jack-loving gang. Prompting some high quality fight-scenes featuring explosives and flamethrowers.


On the Blu-Ray you'll find your average extras along side the extended version of the film that lasts two hours. An alternate ending for McConaughey's Pecker character as well as all deleted scenes in which Stiller explains why they were left out. A very special mention should go to the infamous "DVD commentary" that Downey Jr's character/s mentions in the trailer and film. It is more than worth watching the entire film all over again for as Stiller, Downey Jr and Black give an insight into the film that only they could. Also take a look at the MTV Movie Awards spoof that was put together for the film's cinema release.

Denying yourself this experience, especially on Blu-Ray is utter madness. There's an actor for everyone's tastes in this film and Ben Stiller shines as director. Of the director. Of the film in the film.