Let’s get this out of the way first. No, not the Robert Downey Jr. in blackface aspect of “Tropic Thunder.” People seem to appreciate that that device was neither cheaply done nor executed. Rather, the movie caught flak because of Downey’s (or rather, his character Kirk Lazarus’s) monologue that liberally uses the word “retard,” in a pep talk about why Tugg Speedman’s (Ben Stiller) character’s uber-earnest portrayal of a farm boy simpleton was panned.

If that fictional exchange bothers you, consider this. You know The Wiggles? They’re rockers for toddlers. When they take pictures with tots, they shoot finger guns at the camera so that, according to the man who plays Captain Feathersword, “There is no doubting where their hands are.” Creepy, or honest?

Compared to that, Downey’s speech “You never go full retarded. You only go half. Never full. Sean Penn, “I Am Sam,’ 2001. Went full retard, went home empty-handed” — might just be the most accurate replication of behind-the-scenes film industry dialog ever to make it to the big screen. Why do we punish candor?

Besides, it’s not like “Tropic Thunder” isn’t upfront about embracing the cheerfully vulgar. They get that out of the way before the opening credits, in a series of rapid-fire fast promos for its characters. We are pitched an energy drink called “Booty Sweat,” a movie about a family of flatulent fatties (a la the Klumps) and a movie that sets a forbidden passion between monks to the spa electronica of Enigma.

The rather flimsy plot has the director of a Vietnam action flick pushing his superstar actors into real jungle danger. It’s an OK excuse to allow a cast of talented actors to make fun of their profession. That anyone thought protesting this movie was a good use of their time proves that there are plenty of people both dumber and less able to prioritize than pampered, pretentious, Fiji water-drinking Hollywood types.

This movie is too ludicrous to picket (coincidentally, partially because of Ludacris). It includes Tom Cruise spontaneously freak dancing (solo, to “Get Back”) in a fat suit, bald cap and Sally Jessy Raphael glasses. Overall, it’s probably a better use of your time than watching “Lost” and “Dancing With the Stars,” but you can find the best parts of Cruise’s dance routine online.

Ashley O’Dell reviews movies that aren’t in theaters anymore.