"Tropic Thunder" (Blu-ray)

Synopsis

In 1969, a team of US Special Forces was sent into North Vietnam to rescue one Sgt. Four Leaf Tayback from a prison camp.

The outcome was so exciting, a hollywood studio decided to make a movie about it.

This is the story of how the movie was made.

The star is Tugg Speedman (Stiller).

So, the movie gets underway, but it is so boring, the studio takes a different approach. Speedman and his acting crew are dropped off in the jungles of South Vietnam and are told to make their way, on their own, to the camp where they are to rescue Sgt. Tayback. Hidden cameras will record their progress.

Unfortunately, they are captured by a drug cartel called The Flaming Dragon and are held ransom to the studio for $100,000,000.

Producer Les Grossman decides that an actual rescue attempt would make the movie even better.

Commentary

There are cameo roles all over the place, including Tom Cruise, Alicia Silverstone, Mickey Rooney, and several others. Robert Downey's portrayal of soldier Kirk Lazarus deserves an Oscar nomination.

Technical

The picture has great detail, with no noticeable edge enhancement, and the sound is explosive, literally. I didn't realize Ben Stiller had directed the movie until it was over. Nice job!

Extras

These include Before the Thunder, The Hot LZ, Rain of Madness, and other things.