TROPIC THUNDER

RYAN: Sign us up for any movie starring Robert Downey Jr.! “Tropic Thunder” is new in theaters today.

CAROLINE: We’re a little leery of anything Ben Stiller, as we’ve discussed in the past.

RYAN: But the Robert Downey Jr. factor negates that.

CAROLINE: Ben Stiller not only co-stars, he also directed this movie. Luckily he doesn’t put himself in the hot, studly role as he often does, though he does play an action star. It’s also got Jack Black, Nick Nolte and Matthew McConaughey and a bevy of other stars you’ll recognize. And I’m pleased to say it’s very funny.

RYAN: It is, primarily because Robert Downey Jr. is such a talented actor in any role he does. He stole the movie for me. He plays an Australian actor who surgically becomes black for a role. He does a hilarious blaccent in addition to an Australian accent, and he’s just proving once again why he’s one of my favorite actors.

CAROLINE: This movie is very L.A. and self-referential. It’s totally about Hollywood and the movie industry, so anyone who loves movies and the process of moviemaking will love it. The cameos are great and certainly not worth ruining, so that’s all I’ll say about that.

RYAN: Well it’s no surprise that Tom Cruise is in the movie, and his part is much more than a cameo. He’s so good that I think this movie might actually do some damage control for his career.

CAROLINE: I definitely think this will remind people that Tom Cruise used to be funny and cool. Even though the world thinks he’s a complete nut job lately, this movie might change everyone’s minds. It’s like his part in “Magnolia” meets his old funny ways in “Risky Business” or even “Jerry Maguire.” It’s a side of himself he hasn’t shown in a long time.

RYAN: Surprisingly there’s nary a woman in the film except for Ben Stiller’s wife in a brief cameo. I wonder how she got the part.

CAROLINE: Yes, as with every Ben Stiller movie, he’s managed to find a way to incorporate his wife. I don’t believe she’d be acting at all if it weren’t for him, though she’s only in this movie for about ten seconds.

RYAN: My favorite part of the film is the first ten minutes. It’s totally brilliant and it showcases Ben, Jack and Robert to the best of their abilities. I could watch the first ten minutes over and over.

CAROLINE: It was hilarious! I almost feel like I need to see it again because so much was going on, especially in the beginning. The movie went by in such a blur and it’s edited well, but it’s so fast-paced and funny that you’re trying to take it all in and you’re like, “I know I missed something and I want to see this again.”

RYAN: It’s also kind of gory, and even though it’s funny gore, it’s kind of disgusting. I was a little grossed out.

CAROLINE: It’s a war movie within a movie, so they had to show some of the atrocities of war, and there were a few I could have done without. But it’s all in good fun so it’s not like watching a true war movie. There are lots of explosions, led by Danny McBride who’s the explosives expert in the film. He’s having the best summer ever what with this movie and “Pineapple Express.” He’s hilarious.

RYAN: Steve Coogan of the forthcoming “Hamlet 2” is brilliant as the director of the movie-within-a-movie. He’s fast becoming one of my favorite comedic actors. I think anyone named Steve these days is funny. Bottom line?

CAROLINE: I was highly anticipating this movie and I’m just so happy that it was actually funny and didn’t disappoint. I laughed a lot and I almost couldn’t believe some of the jokes because they were so original and out there. The humor is intelligent for a savvy audience who enjoys the winks and nods to the movie industry.

RYAN: Interestingly, it was written by Justin Theroux and one wonders why he didn’t make a cameo. Maybe he did and it wound up on the cutting room floor. I think we agreed that it’s not a brilliant movie, but it’s very funny and it’s definitely something I would watch again if I saw it on TV.

CAROLINE: I think it’s easily one of the best comedies of the summer.

RYAN: Oh, for sure!