Around the same time that cinematic universes began to dominate every multiplex, one satire landed like a live grenade tossed directly into Hollywood’s lap. Co-written, directed by, and starring Ben Stiller, the movie follows the catastrophically doomed production of an over-budget Vietnam War epic whose cast of self-absorbed actors – including Stiller’s fading action hero, Jack Black’s substance-abusing comedy star, and Robert Downey Jr. as a thespian who goes a little too method – find themselves dropped into a real jungle conflict in a parody proudly following in the footsteps of The Three Amigos and Galaxy Quest. Along with a platoon of scene-stealers and a nearly unrecognizable Tom Cruise, the film took a proverbial machete to prestige filmmaking, Oscar bait performances, and celebrity egos with a ferocity rarely seen in big-budget studio comedies. While it’s undeniable that the film was a critical and commercial success, it feels equally unbelievable that Downey’s performance earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. But nearly twenty years later, does this savage send-up of Hollywood excess still land laughs with explosive energy, or has “cancel” culture invaded film discourse to the point that merely discussing it feels like wading into a minefield? Join us as we pop open a fresh can of Booty Sweat, crank some Ludacris, and prepare to put ourselves in the shit with Tropic Thunder!
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