You know you’re in for a treat when an advertisement for “Booty Sweat,” a new energy drink from fictional rapper-actor Alpa Chino, graces the “coming attractions” portion of a screening of the fictional “Tropic Thunder.”

The film within the real film of the same name continues with faux trailers from legendary actors Tugg Speedman (Ben Stiller), Jeff “Fats” Portnoy (Jack Black) and Kirk Lazarus (Robert Downey Jr.). These fictional actors have seen better days, and “Tropic Thunder” might be the summer blockbuster that could turn their careers around.

Now back to real life. Before “Tropic,” Ben Stiller hadn’t written and directed a film since 2001’s “Zoolander.” But in a lot of ways his latest work from behind the pen shares more in common with his 1996 dark comedy, “The Cable Guy.”

Sure, “Zoolander” and “Tropic Thunder” are both exercises in spoofing an industry — fashion and Hollywood, respectively. But “Tropic” doesn’t veer off into the sheer absurdity that “Zoolander” took pride in. (Sorry, no gas-pump fights in “Tropic.”) Instead you get more of the darker, grittier humor that could be found in Stiller’s early work on “The Ben Stiller Show.”

The premise is that all of these egocentric, melodramatic actors are in need of a hit at the box office, and a film adaptation of a book about the experience of a Marine named John “Four Leaf” Tayback (Nick Nolte) might be the blockbuster the “Tropic” characters were looking for. But a month into filming they’re already behind schedule and overbudget. So the young, inexperienced director (Steve Coogan) takes Four Leaf’s advice and drops the actors deep in the jungle filled with hidden cameras, explosion devices rigged by the special-effects crew, and very real guerilla fighters.

Once a deadly accident occurs, which some actors refuse to believe is anything but incredible special effects, they end up on their own. At first, they decide to finish the film and keep to the script, but before too long they’re fighting for their lives and struggling to survive. (And maybe get an Oscar out of the experience.)

This film gives movie junkies a lot to chew on, including discussions on how much “retard” an actor can play to win an Academy Award. Downey Jr.’s “Kirk” informs Stiller’s “Tugg” that he didn’t get nominated for one of his films because, “You went full retard. Never go full retard! Look at Dustin Hoffman in ‘Rain Man.’ Sure, he was autistic and could count cards, but he wasn’t retarded. Tom Hanks looked retarded and acted retarded in ‘Forrest Gump,’ but then went on to win a ping-pong tournament. That ain’t retarded.”

“Tropic” won’t win any sensitivity awards, but it sure is funny.

Kirk would know what it takes to win Oscars. He underwent skin-pigment surgery to become “African-American” because the role demanded it. Touchy issues like this could have caused controversy and headaches for the real-life studio, but Stiller’s fans know he can pull them off with enough laughs that you don’t think twice.

While Tugg and Black’s “Jeff” give up their roles after a few hours of being stuck in the jungle, Kirk continues to stay in character, much to the chagrin of Alpa Chino (Brandon T. Jackson), the real African-American who doesn’t appreciate an Australian in “black face.” Downey Jr.’s character might have been a train wreck in lesser hands, but watching him yell “you people” is pure joy. He even offers Alpa Chino a heart-to-heart that he essentially lifts from the theme song of “The Jeffersons.”

When it works, “Tropic Thunder” is a dose of tough love for Hollywood. But the movie’s not without its faults. It’s another in a line of recent comedies that could be tightened to 90 minutes, not stretched to nearly two hours. Judd Apatow started this trend, and I wish it’d stop. Even a funny idea such as this can’t sustain two full hours. It weighs down in the middle.

That said, you won’t have a better time in the theater this summer.

‘Tropic Thunder’ R, 1 hr., 47 min.

Starring: Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black, Nick Nolte, Matthew McConaughey

Plot: A group of self-absorbed actors sets out to make the most expensive war film. After ballooning costs force the studio to cancel the movie, the frustrated director refuses to stop shooting, leading his cast into the jungles of Southeast Asia, where they encounter real bad guys.

Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5 stars

Inkkc.com: Find show times on inkkc.com/movies, where you can also rate and review “Tropic Thunder.”

your review of this movie and love for ben stiller guarantees i will never read another thing you write. good work.

Posted 14 weeks ago by chanceandrew

Ouch. I'm not sure I have a "love" for Ben Stiller, but suit yourself.

Posted 14 weeks ago by Travis Fox

I found your review to be spot on.

Posted 13 weeks ago by Rezn8