Obviously, my response to this film would’ve been different in 2007. Not only was I 5 years old then, but the culture was quite different. But discussing how a film has aged, well or not, is still a valid discussion to have. And judging from the critical response to this film upon its release, many were offended by it then too.

Tropic Thunder is a very funny film, and quite an effective one because its offensive humour is related to the perspectives of its characters. The film laughs at, for example, RDJ’s white character ‘method acting’ as black and wearing black face because of the character’s ridiculousness. It doesn’t condone his action, it mocks it.

In the case of this film, the way that the courtroom scene plays out sees the characters actively celebrated for their antics. And it doesn’t seem ironic in the slightest as it celebrates these two men. There is a difference between outlandish, offensive humour that works and that which doesn’t.