Tropic Thunder Opening Sequence

TROPIC THUNDER OPENING SEQUENCE
WARNING - Rated 15

"As far as the filmmaking process is concerned, stars are essentially worthless -- and absolutely essential"
William Goldman

Additional Information

Tropic Thunder is a comedy which pays homage to many different films and film genres. The main examples of this are comic recreations of war films such as Platoon, but the opening sequence draws from a much wider source of genres, as it serves as an introduction to the main stars in Tropic Thunder, all of whom feature as movie stars in the plot. In the opening sequence each character is shown in an advert or trailer that they featured in before being called to shoot in South East Asia, where the main action of Tropic Thunder takes place. Each trailer is, at time of viewing, unrelated to the rest of the trailers, as the actors are yet to have met.
One of the reoccurring themes in the film is the habit of mocking over-used film conventions. In the opening sequence, we see exaggerated versions of generic trailers, satirizing the film industry.

Tropic Thunder - Fake Trailers!! - Watch more Funny Videos

Alpa Chino's Snack Ad
CU Mid-Angle. Multiple exclamation points –immature, overexcited message. Together this suggests a mock advert. ‘Available at concessions now’ – implications of a cinema setting. Confectionary names use innuendo, suggesting element of comedy.

Tugg Speedman in Scorcher
MCU Mid-Angle to introduce character. Large gun juxtaposed with baby shows combination of violence and heroism; the two extremes create a comic effect. Volcano in background suggests threat, natural disaster on an overly exaggerated scale. Muscles suggest action genre. Calm expression shows he is unafraid, making him the hero.
Tugg Speedman in Scorcher VI
CU Mid-Angle shows expansion on character. Doubling the guns and babies exaggerates the supremacy of the character, mocking the concept of the hero. Frozen landscape in background suggests new natural disaster to contend with. Bruises on forehead and determined expression shows action genre through signs of violence and intrepidness.
Jeff Portnoy in The Fatties
MCU to introduce new characters. Two contrasting expressions of happiness and disgust suggest comedy. Crude T-shirt print connotes brash, repulsive comedy. Obvious Facial Prosthetics used to mock other films that use this technique, in addition to the symmetric body language and lamps which help show that this is the same actor.
The Fatties Title
CU High Angle shot of Toilet bowl mocks toilet humour by flushing down the ‘film’ title, whilst making clear the theme of the ‘film’ is farts, but also subtly implying it is an awful or disgusting movie. Bubble Writing represents the running theme of fat jokes, and rounded letters are used to appeal to children.
Kirk Lazarus in Satan's Alley
CU Mid-Angle introduces new character to the film. Profile Shot creates suspense as the audience doesn’t fully understand him, indicating a thriller genre. Candles lit, Downey Jr. blowing one out on ‘different’, an overly obvious implication that he stands out, creating comedy. Whilst candles suggest innocence, the blown out image implies he breaks this pattern.
Tobey Maguire's Cameo
CU Mid-Angle. Glowing Font shows special interest, but unimpressive accolade mocks the conventions of trailers. Half of face in shadow, another obvious, therefore humorous, connotation, this time that he has a dark side.
Satan's Alley Titles
LS Mid-Angle with sprawling fields indicates that the plot is isolated from normal society. Grey Abbey with grey sky suggests religious theme but a depressing narrative. Cross on ‘T’ yet another example of an overused method to express theme of Christianity. Sun bursting through clouds suggests change. Two silhouettes apart from the rest suggests that two protagonists are close and share a secret.