DR4WARD

LAUGHS RAIN DURING TROPIC THUNDER

The laughs rained during Tropic Thunder, a "R" rated parody action comedy written and directed by Ben Stiller, that my wife and I saw yesterday at Celebration! Cinema. We had not laughed this hard since Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, a parody of musical bio-pics. 

The laughs began with a fake ad and film trailers that introduce the characters before the real fake film begins. Tropic Thunder, “The true story behind the most expensive fake true war story ever” parodies the making of overblown war films, the egos and insecurities of the actors who star in them, and the often ridiculous Hollywood movie making and marketing system.

The ensemble cast of the fake war film includes:

• Ben Stiller as Tugg Speedman, an action megastar losing his popularity and credibility with his fans after recent flops. 

• Jack Black as Jeff Portnoy, a drug addicted comedic star of potty humor films.

• Brandon T. Jackson, as Alpa Chino, a rapper, entrepreneur, and actor who has a new energy drink, "Booty Sweat."

• Robert Downey Jr., as five-time Oscar winner Kirk Lazarus, an Aussie who goes to extreme lengths for his acting roles that must be seen to be appreciated.
  

• Jay Baruchel as Kevin Sandusky, a nerdy but sincere actor.

The blurring of reality in this parody has surprise guest appearances by many actors throughout the film playing themselves that I won't spoil.

Robert Downey Jr.'s performance "playing a dude who plays a dude disguised as another dude" is a must see performance that delights in his acting talent and cements him as a comedic genius. I also found Jack Black and Ben Stiller's performances to be refreshingly different from other recent roles.

Tom Cruise is hysterical as the fat, hairy, and powerful studio boss Les Grossman who demands to know why the shoot is over budget and behind schedule. I predict his performance will single handedly resurrect his career and surprise many who have discounted him for his off-screen antics.

Admittedly the parody and comedy in Tropic Thunder may not be for everyone. However, the audience was laughing so hard at times that we missed some of the dialogue. I hope you get to feel the same Thunder.

I look 4Ward to your feedback.

Keep Digging For Worms!

 

STARS WARS: THE CLONE WARS ENJOYED BY FAMILIES / CHILDREN: INNOVATIVE DIGITAL MULTI-PLATFORM LAUNCH

Earlier this week, I attended a promotional screening with a group of families / children at Celebration! Cinema. It was for the upcoming Star Wars: The Clone Wars, a new computer animated PG rated film introduced from Star Wars creator George Lucas and his company Lucasfilm Limited and Warner Bros. PIctures. Judging from their response during the movie and their chatter afterwards, the film was a big hit with the kids.

The 98 minute film offers plenty of action and moves along quickly for
parents. See the trailer here at the official Star Wars: The Clone Wars website. 

Those who grew up with Star Wars will find the characters and story familiar. I will let other movie reviewers debate their opinions of the film's plot and dialogue or the lack of use of previous actors voices for the main characters. I personally found the colors and textures of the 3D like digital battle scenes and planetary landscapes on the big screen enjoyable and worthy of the price of admission.

I suspect that many adults and die-hard Star Wars fans who grew up with the live-action version of Star Wars may find the animated version too cute at times. They may also find the marionette stylized computer animated characters too Saturday morning cartoonish or video-gamish but they will also be missing the point.

INNOVATIVE DIGITAL MULTI-PLATFORM LAUNCH

The PG rated computer animated Clone Wars film is a brilliant way for George Lucas and company to expand the Star Wars franchise to a new generation of young children.

The computer-animation style allows Lucasfilm Limited to launch new Star Wars stories quickly across fully integrated multi-media entertainment platforms and eliminates the time to convert live-action to video games and other digital properties. These digital properties include a weekly Star Wars: The Clone Wars television series later in the Fall on Turner Broadcasting Cartoon Network and TNT, video and online games, a website and licensing of toys and other products.

George Lucas has been a visionary on integrating entertainment and products across multi-media digital platforms. The Star Wars: The Clone Wars movie is also used as a way to create buzz and a big splash for the launch of the television series and other products that will be enjoyed by families each week this Fall and for years to come.

If you choose to see  Star Wars: The Clone Wars, appreciate it for what it is and not what you thought it might be.

I look 4WARD to your feedback.

Keep Digging for Worms!