Movie reviews: "Tropic Thunder" (2008) & "Persepolis" (2007)

"Tropic Thunder"

The gist: A method actor in blackface (Robert Downey Jr), an action star (Ben Stiller), a druggie comedian (Jack Black), a product-pushing rapper (Brandon T. Jackson) and a greenhorn (Jay Baruchel) walk into a bar. And by "bar", I mean "doomed Vietnam War movie project".

Selling points: Value for moolah. While not every joke zings, even before the credits roll, you've been treated to three fake trailers and a bogus ad. Sleb reinforcements include Steve Coogan, Nick Nolte, Matthew McConaughey and Tom Cruise in a mesmerisingly grotesque caricature of a studio boss.

It's kinda like: The heroics of "Rambo", the tragedy of "Platoon", the madness of "Apocalypse Now"...and that's only the film within the film. Pretty much every Hollywood hang-up or excess is satirised, from "worthy" Oscar roles to demanding TiVo access in the Asian jungle.

Final word: See it before some bastard reviewer spoils the surprises.

[Australian cinema release date: August 21]


"Persepolis"

The gist: Growing up in Iran, Marjane Satrapi witnesses the fall of the Shah, rise of the Islamic fundamentalists and senseless war with Iraq. She goes into exile as a student in Austria but can't handle being separated from her family and winds up on the street. Returning home, she tries to quell her rebellious nature under the new regime, only to realise that while she'll always be Iranian, it's time to leave.

Selling points: A unique perspective on a nation's transformation – the genuine optimism after the Shah was deposed, a young Marjane buying Iron Maiden cassettes on the black market, her family desperately flushing wine when the police raid a secret party. There are several trophies on the "Persepolis" mantelpiece, most notably the 2007 Cannes Jury Prize.

It's kinda like: Satrapi's autobiographical comic of the same name. Funny that. The lovely, varied animation – colour's only used in the present, while the historical interludes resemble scenes from a Persian carpet – and French dub (with English subs) make an exotic contrast to the newsreel footage with which we’re more familiar.

Final word: Best use of "Eye Of The Tiger" since "Rocky III".

[Also released August 21]