Tropic Thunder! Hated it! How about you?

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 02:00:09 -0400

<p>I would love to slap each cast member of that terrible movie.   The characterizations of the military are at best offense.     I know it is comedy but it is not funny.   Not funny when a Vietnam Veterans was bleeding out by powerful squirts of blood that seemed to last for about one half-hour.</p><p><br></p><p>I finally had to turn away from this mockery because each minute aggravated me and degraded the members of that war!  What is your take and what would you rate it on a scale of 1-10?</p>

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2014 2:05 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 02:05:44 -0400

I agree. Absolutely horrid ! ! !

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2014 2:31 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 02:31:47 -0400

Without comparing it to reality and taking a more objective approach with regard to Vietnam or Vietnam veterans----there were a couple of laughs in the movie.

I hate it because Veterans can usually see beyond all of the stupidity, however civilians who don't realize or see all of the sacrifices that we have to make on a daily basis might take it as a mockery or have twisted manifestations of what war might be like. So I agree with you, however I am kind of apathetic or indifferent to letting it drum up emotions toward the film itself. Also, I never forget that some art forms allow for a certain therapuetic functions to help veterans cope with life----such as Tim O'Brien's "The Things They Carried" as he creatively incorporates his own experiences into fiction while seemingly confusing the reader to question its truth, it was a means for him to confront his own experiences in Vietnam. Nonetheless, this film was released during the surge timeframe in 2008 as well, so if it was made by less popular cast members it would have been a flop.....it only gained so much momentum because of the cast.

As far as a rating is concerned I would only give it about a 2-3---based on its popularity with regard to everyone actually knowing it exists, the irony featured in the plot, but its a Ben Stiller film with himself as a lead role----he is not that talented.

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Mar 31 at 2014 2:39 AM

CW2 Joseph Evans — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 02:39:18 -0400

Ben Stiller, Nuff said.
Can't take anything he does seriously. When a clown writes the script you end up with a clown car.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2014 3:54 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 03:54:52 -0400

<p>I viewed it in a different way, I saw it making fun of an industry that knows nothing about real warfare, and I saw it take a stab at those who pretend to be what they are not (Stolen Valor).</p><p> </p><p>The movie if taken at face value, is pretty hilarious.  Any movie that can be quoted in multiple scenarios for humor purposes is a win for me.  That and as much as I despise Tom Cruise his role in the movie was hilarious.  I've always wondered if some of his quotes from that movie would be good enough to use as a Drill Sergeant:</p><p> </p><p>"Otherwise I'm gonna have to head down there and I will rain down in a Godly &@^#&# firestorm upon you! You're gonna have to call the *&#&@**@ United Nations and get a &#&@#(@#* binding resolution to keep me from *@&@*@* destroying you. I'm talking about a scorched earth, mother*@*@**r! I will massacre you! I WILL *@*@ YOU UP!"</p><p> </p><p><br><br><i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000560/"></a></i> </p><div class="pta-link-card"><div class="pta-link-card-picture"><img src="http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMTU1ODAzMDk3Ml5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTYwOTEzMzE0._V1_SY400_SX271_.jpg"></div><div class="pta-link-card-content"><div class="pta-link-card-title"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000560/" target="_blank">Nick Nolte</a></div><div class="pta-link-card-description">Nick Nolte, Actor: The Thin Red Line. Nick Nolte was born in Omaha, Nebraska and began his career on stage at the Pasadena (California) Playhouse and in regional theatre productions. His breakthrough ...</div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="pta-box-hide"><i class="icon-remove"></i></div></div>

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2014 9:26 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 09:26:41 -0400

I agree with the below, I dont see it as making fun of the military more like satire of the film industry. To beat down this movie for featuring veterans is in my opinion overreaching. If that is the case to dislike this movie you'd also have to hate Stripes (makes fun of basic training and those going through), Delta Farce (Makes fun of the National Guard), In The Army Now (makes fun of the National Guard as well) and any other movie or TV show that has veterans or comedy related to or at the expense of the veteran community.

We have lost the ability to laugh at ourselves, we all see these people in our respective branches of service, and you know you have. Some folks need to stop taking EVERYTHING so seriously and learn to laugh a little. Its been medially proven to help mental health.

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Mar 31 at 2014 9:36 AM

SGM Matthew Quick — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 09:36:40 -0400

Very funny movie! I actually like when movies poke fun at the military.

Hell, I like watching 'Enlisted' on Fridays...good times!

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Mar 31 at 2014 10:33 AM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 10:33:29 -0400

I took it for what it was, a comedy, but then I am not a Vietnam Vet, so I do not have the same point of view that they might.

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2014 6:25 PM

1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 18:25:10 -0400

I'm a lead farmer,...

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2014 7:49 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 19:49:20 -0400

"Were you even in the military?"

"Of course I was. Coast Guard, sanitation."