Casey Phillips: “Tropic Thunder” is one of the funniest movies I’ve seen in a long time, even if nearly all the characters are straight archetypes. You’ve got Kirk Lazarus (Robert Downey Jr.) mocking Method actors like Daniel Day-Lewis who prepare for roles through total character immersion. Tugg Speedman (Ben Stiller) and Jeff Portnoy (Jack Black) ape action and comedy stars who try, unsuccessfully, to branch into more serious roles. From two-week boot-camp “training” to prepare for roles as military grunts to intimidating, money-grubbing producers — Tom Cruise as a fat, bald and hairy Les Grossman — and boot-licking talent agents — Matthew McConaughey’s Rick Peck — this film is Hollywood taking a step back to be self-referential, laughing at itself all the while. I loved it.

Holly Leber: I had a more reserved reaction to “Tropic Thunder.” I liked it, especially the self-mockery element. The actors played their archetypes brilliantly; Downey, especially, gets credit for taking a major risk of getting hordes of rotten vegetables thrown at him for his role as a white Australian pretending to be a black American, complete with pigmented skin. I also really liked Jay Baruchel as rookie actor Kevin Sandusky. He did a fine job as a young man trying to find his place amongst all the insanity. However, as much as I appreciate Hollywood poking fun at itself, there were still times I found myself thinking: “If I were close to that situation, how would I feel watching this?”

Casey: After “Charlie Bartlett,” “Iron Man” and now “Tropic Thunder,” I’m officially naming this the year of Robert Downey Jr. Honestly, though, I think anybody put out by this movie had the wrong expectations going in. If someone is offended by soldiers being confronted by gore (courtesy of an overly enthusiastic makeup department) or the idea that one of Stiller’s character’s past roles includes a ridiculous portrayal of a mentally challenged farmhand (a la “Forest Gump,” “Rainman” and countless similar roles), then they aren’t getting the references and the film isn’t really aimed at them. If you can go into this film without a thin skin, I’m convinced you’ll enjoy watching a clueless group of guys get in a situation way over their heads. If I had to compare it to anything, I’d say “Tropic Thunder” is like a war-time version of Bill Murray’s “The Man Who Knew Too Little.”

Holly: The gore didn’t offend me — that’s the wrong word — but it did make me cringe. I’ll cop to being squeamish, but there were some visuals that were just gross. Funny, but gross. I know I’m not the only person out there who gets squirmy at the sight of blood and viscera, even in blatantly, satirically fake form, so be warned if you are.

Stiller’s character’s portrayal of “Simple Jack” was absolutely ridiculous, yes. One absolutely groan-worthy line about heart movies and raining eyes was a fantastic poke at melodramatic Hollywood writing (“love means never having to say you’re sorry,” anyone?). But I still couldn’t help thinking about how I would feel if my child or brother or parent were mentally challenged.

I also have to wonder how soldiers and their families will respond to this movie, since there is a point at which the characters are in actual perilous situations, even if they’re blissfully unaware of it for the most part. Call it thin-skinned, but I just think some people might have sensitive reactions. And there’s nothing wrong with that.

Casey: And there’s nothing wrong with having a sense of empathy, but I think the people who are going to enjoy “Tropic Thunder” will be those who can look past the potentially offensive trappings and appreciate the satire beneath. As to soldiers being placed in perilous situations, that’s typical of any war film, so maybe the trick is to just avoid movies portraying scenes of combat if there’s the potential for it hitting too close to home. The rest of us will just have to settle for an uproariously funny film that has more to say than suggested in the trailers.

Holly: Yeah, but you can’t really compare the peril scenes here to the ones in “Black Hawk Down.” However, we’ve both said our respective piece on that matter.

This is a movie I can see myself having had a much different reaction to on a different day, depending on my mood. And yes, you can say that about many films, but I felt it very strongly with this one. I’m not writing “Tropic Thunder” off. I’d give it another shot and actually think I’d enjoy it a lot more the second time around, but I can definitely sympathize with why some people would be put off by it.

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