Tropic Thunder: Nello and Ty's thoughts

Two days ago, I ended up running into Nello and a few of our mutual friends at the movie theater. I was with my friend Jarrod (from the aforementioned "Choco Taco gift" post), and we were seeing a movie that had just come out that day. Turns out Nello and company were seeing the exact same movie at the exact same time. Brushing this strange happenstance off, we sat with each other in the not-so crowded theater.
The movie we were seeing, titled Tropic Thunder, stars Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., and Jack Black. I'm sure you've seen the trailer for it, but here is the official plot synopsis:

Through a series of freak occurrences, a group of actors shooting a big-budget war movie are forced to become the soldiers they are portraying.

After the movie ended, Nello and I knew we needed to write something about it on here. I set up a quick Q & A session, where we talked about what we thought of the movie (note: DO NOT READ THIS if you want small parts of the movie to be spoiled):

There are a few fake previews leading the film, starring the actors within the movie. Did you like them?
Nello De Angelis: Stiller's 'Scorcher VI' was spot on with Hollywood's action sequels nowadays, i.e. Transporter 1, 2 & 3. What his preview did was show that every action sequel is the same exact thing, in a (sometimes) new situation. Black's "The Fatties" was hysterical, I tried not laughing too hard considering the wild Snorlax behind us. It was a good poke at Eddie Murphy's prolific way of playing multi-roles in his comedic films. Downey Jr.'s was by far my favorite, it spoofed Hollywood's 'edgy' controversial dramas that seem to reel in all the Oscars nowadays. It's entitled 'Satan's Alley' and is about two gay monks (Downey Jr. and Tobey Maguire in a cameo) that become "bad boys." With that said, Alpa Chino's "Booty Sweat" ad promo had me almost in tears laughing, the perfect way to start the film.
Ty Walters: Alpa Chino’s commercial had me saying “What the fuck?” out loud a few times, but only through controlled bursts of laughter. Stiller’s was spot-on. Downey Jr.’s had what was easily the best cameo in the movie (Maguire, like Nello said). Black’s was a bit iffy in my book, but it was still funny.

Which out of the three stars (Stiller, Downey Jr., and Black) did you like the most?
ND: It goes to Downey Jr. no contest. The three did a great job, but Downey Jr. takes every line he's given and makes it fucking hilarious. With the part he's given, whatever he says or does could be taken as something extremely racist, but he plays the gag off into a comedic role that will go down into history as one of the ballsiest and funniest roles ever.
TW: Yeah, Downey Jr. He had the most quotable lines (besides Cruise, maybe), had the most ridiculous role, and stuck with it throughout the entire film. Stiller was what I imagine Bruce Willis to be in a few years. He plays the perfect stuck-up actor. Black had a few amazing lines (my favorite of which is near the end when the gang is around a campfire), but I feel like they didn’t give him enough time to develop his character completely.

Do you think this movie saved Ben Stiller’s career?
ND: After 'The Heartbreak Kid'? Ohhhhh yeah. Stiller showed that he is still the funny man that he used to be. Especially with his Simple Jack character in the film he shows that he still has his comedic chops. In addition, his direction and script collaboration with Justin Theroux proves that he still has what's necessary not only in front of the camera, but in back as well.
TW: I agree with Nello. Stiller hasn’t had a good comedy movie in years, and this is exactly what he needed. If he directs films that he stars in from now on, he’ll be a comedic juggernaut.

What did you think of Tom Cruise's role?
ND: Fucking hilarious. He supposedly wrote most of his own lines which only adds to how much ass he kicked in this film. Every scene with him had me literally in tears laughing. The end credits with him getting down to "Get Back" is nothing short of comedic gold.
TW: I had no idea he actually wrote some of his lines. That makes his role so much funnier. He definitely stole every single scene he was in. This will get him some serious street cred. God knows he needs it.

What did you think of the movie itself?
ND: I thought it was a near perfect comedy that took a right jab in the face of Hollywood and landed the blow at full force. The script was well written, the acting was great all around (including Matthew McCoughnahey surprisingly) and it was just an all around enjoyable popcorn flick.
TW: Tropic Thunder is not your average war movie. Tropic Thunder is not your average comedy movie. Tropic Thunder is what it is, and it is one of the funniest movies of all time. I will be buying the $845, 17-disc super-duper deluxe edition with a lock of Robert Downey Jr.’s fake facial hair when it comes out.