What is there to say about Ben Stiller's Tropic Thunder that hasn't already been said in its massive PR blitz? It is often very funny. It sometimes drags, and not every far-out comedic concept hits paydirt. However, Stiller keeps the film's tone consistent, which is hard to do with these absurd action-comedies (Pineapple Express is better filmmaking, but features stranger tonal shifts). Tropic Thunder is funny from beginning to end, with a few dead zones in the middle. It's also horribly bloody and violent. Be prepared for that. Robert Downey, Jr. is great, Jack Black actually performs instead of playing "Jack Black," and the Tom Cruise cameo is more than a cameo: it's a bonafide supporting role. But yes, everything you've heard is true: Tropic Thunder is funny, smart, offensive, and abrasive. And, get there early for the coming attractions.