Tropic Thunder (2008/Blu-ray + DVD-Video/DreamWorks)

 

Picture: B/C+     Sound: B/B-     Extras: C-     Film: C-

 

 

There is the fact that one very, very dumb comedy will be a hit in the summer, but it is unfortunate that all the studios make far too many of them for all seasons.  Most have rightly bombed and are filler for video and cable.  Ben Stiller’s Tropic Thunder became that film for later in 2008 and though it has a few amusing moments, it is a two-note idea (spoof Hollywood, Vietnam films and the media on a toilet level) that goes on and on and on and on and on.  The cast helps, including Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr. (in a bizarre revival of blackface) and cameos that are too smug to believe.

 

Unfortunately, after you know any of the jokes, even from the uncut version, they do not stay funny and get boring very quickly.  Even they know this is no masterwork and the celebration of dumbness and political incorrectness is endlessly predictable.  Though we have seen much worse, the ultimate lack of ambition makes the whole exercise futile.

 

The 1080p 1.85 X 1 digital High Definition image is digitized and plastered with so many video and faux HD video images that the film sometimes looks like menus, while color and detail have a phony look throughout.  The anamorphically enhanced DVD is much worse, with poorer Video Black and more detail issues.  The Dolby TrueHD 5.1 on the Blu-ray is the best of the selections on both formats, while the Dolby Digital 5.1 in all cases can also be aggressive, but even the TrueHD can be overly loud, have harsh sound points and have a sloppy mix, intended or not.  Extras on both versions include cast/crew audio commentary, four featurettes, video rehearsals, alternate ending, deleted/extended scenes and MTV Movie Awards tie-in.  The Blu-ray adds BD Live interactivity, if you get that far.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo