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*** STARS

Most ego-driven films that are directed, produced and written by it’s main star tend to flop (think of John Travolta’s “Battlefield Earth” or Kevin Costner’s “The Postman”) but Ben Stiller is smarter than your average Hollywood mover and shaker. “Tropic Thunder” has the same comedic magic that “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” and “Pineapple Express” had, but it adds a twist that creates a non-stop wizz bang laugh filled ride with lots of highs and a few small lows.

Stiller has a wicked sense of humor that is honest and always innovative. The most unique and refreshing part of “Tropic Thunder” is that it pokes fun at all the contrived bloated messes that have been churned out by Hollywood for years. Using a war film plot and incorporating huge action sequences this movie raises the bar on high concept comedies.

Unfortunately the humor of a movie within a movie premise gets old; thankfully the brilliant cast is able to rise above the uneven material and save this film from feeling like it was all over the place. There was one casting fumble in my opinion and it was Tom Cruise’s mini-role as the Weinstein-esque studio head. It was an over the top role and an obvious ploy by Stiller to give a boost to Cruise’s recently tarnished reputation, and it wasn’t that funny.

Robert Downey Jr. is also riding a wave of popularity in Hollywood with the double whammy of “Iron Man” and now “Thunder”. I am pretty sure at this point his “controversial” politically incorrect, genius portrayal of an African American soldier will garner him a Golden Globe nomination or win. His performance is down right brilliant as it wavers on the edge of uncomfortable and side splittingly hilarious.

The first 15 minutes of this movie are comedy gold. I can’t give too much away but the originality and laugh per minute ratio are in full gear. The middle of this film becomes sluggish when we learn more about Jack Black’s character. When all of these lead actors come together on screen they make magic that will leave you in stitches. Keep your eyes out for awesome performances by the always funny Steve Coogan and Danny McBride.

I am sure that after multiple viewings this film will provide more laughs that I may have not caught before. At the very least “Tropic Thunder” is a terrific R-rated film for grown ups to enjoy. I personally loved the sweet and gritty edge that “Pineapple Express” provided more than this movie.

“Tropic Thunder” does offer up some biting satire and genuinely funny moments that must be seen on the big screen. Even though the main gimmick and broad set up gets a bit old and far fetched, the huge who’s who of comedic actors in this movie makes it a special treat. Just when I thought this summer couldn’t get any bigger, a unqiue treat like “Tropic Thunder” comes out.