Analysis of a film opening in our chosen genre

Tropic Thunder (2008)


Genre
Tropic thunder is a satirical action comedy/mockumentary centred around the war in Vietnam and a group of prima donna actors. The satirical side of the film is extremely prevelent, however, largely through the overdramatic scenes where one soldier is shot and another charged with a bayonet. The action and comedy sides also come across clearly through the subject matter of the film and the satirical nature of how it is presented.
Narrative
The mockumentary part of the film does not become obvious in this section of the film, however, as the film is instead set up to make the audience believe that what they are watching is the film itself, before the camera later pans around to show a crew; unveiling that this is in fact a film in a film. I like this style as it immerses the audience before and then shatters what they think is real, making them questin what is real and what is not for the rest of the film (in a similar style to Inception).
Character
The first major and most significant character (played by Ben Stiller) shown in the opening is introduced through an extremely overdramatic and laughably unrealistic escape from the enemy whist being shot with machine gun fire. This character also appears to be a parody of John Rambo, from the famous Rambo series, which debuted with Rambo: First Blood in 1982. This parody is most notable through the red bandana and inhuman resistance to bullets.
Atmosphere
The opening has a strong war/battlefield atmosphere, highlighted by soldiers, the aforementioned napalm and military vehicles, as well as diegetic gunfire and explosive sounds. However, despite his, I feel that it retains a satirical comedy style through how things such as one of the characters being shot being very intentionally overdone and unrealistic; this is clearly mocking the stern and professional style and delivery of stereotypical war films.
Setting
The film is set in Vietnam during the Vietnam war. This is very clearly shown throughout the opening, with period military uniforms, weapons and helicopters, jungle foliage, and infamous napalm; which is synonymous with the Vietnam war.
Sound