A band of actors are on location somewhere in SE Asia, filming the epic story of a Vietnam vet's harrowing experience (Nick Nolte). As the production spirals out of control (think Apocalypse Now) the director, played by British comedian Steve Coogan, decides to head into the jungle with only his pyrotechnics guy (Danny McBride) and his five key players in order to capture authentic, guerrilla-style footage. But soon the five actors, played by Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr., stand-up comic Brandon T. Jackson and Jay Baruchel, are fending for themselves. When they encounter the hideout of a murderous drug cartel, the squabbling actors don't realise that filming has halted and reality has set in.

Co-written, produced, directed and also starring Ben Stiller, this satire's premise is a promising one, and it certainly delivers the goods. Forget Superbad, Knocked Up or Forgetting Sarah Marshall - this utterly hilarious movie will remind you what laugh a minute comedy feels like. Stiller exhibits maturity by not pushing the gags beyond their expiration, and produces a satisfying comedy that is a laugh riot right until its final moments.

Stiller also elicits superb performances from his top-notch cast, expertly mixing straight men with reliable comedians. Hence, Nolte gives his best performance in years, and Tom Cruise gives an intense performance as a profane and bizarrely hirsute studio exec that is a revelation. Jack Black is also in good form, but the movie definitely belongs to Downey Jr. As one of the few Hollywood actors who can do a passable Australian accent, Downey Jr. actually spends the majority of the movie "in character".as a black man! His layered performance has to be seen to be believed. Tropic Thunder will have you practically catapulting out of your seat with laughter. See it with a crowd.