Tropic Thunder is one, long satirical jab at Hollywood and how ridiculous it really is. Ben Stiller plays action hero Tugg Speedman who, with a cast of other miscreants, are cast to play in the movie “Tropic Thunder,” a Vietnam War movie. Almost every role is a satire of “showbiz” – Matthew McConaughey is Tugg’s agent, Robert Downey Jr. is the method, “actor’s actor”, Jack Black is the drug addled obnoxious funnyman, and a pleasantly surprising comedic turn by Tom Cruise playing a studio chief.

This movie cracked me up as it had some fantastic send-offs of Hollywood and of film production in general, but stayed out of the “too many in-jokes” territory (take a hint here, Kevin Smith) and had enough comedy in other areas for everyone to enjoy.

Stealing the show is Robert Downey Jr. Depending on how this movie finishes in the box office (and right now it’s looking pretty good), he may be in two summer box office hits. Talk about a comeback. He plays “a guy playing a guy,” oh yeah, and he’s funny!

Ben Stiller, who also directed this movie, is a riot as action star, Tugg Speedman. This role and this type of comedy really brings to mind his “Ben Stiller Show,” which was on FOX years ago and famously was cancelled then won an Emmy! This show did fantastic spoofs (even double spoofs – my favorite sketch was Ben Stiller playing Eddie Munster playing Robert Di Nero playing Max Cady in Cape Fear).

In conclusion, Acted By gives Tropic Thunder two thumbs up! So take THAT protesters!