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Napoleon Dynamite (2004, 86 min., PG) – Jared Hess’s first movie is a flippin’ little comic gem. It features Napoleon (Jon Heder)—no relation to Elvis Costello’s alter-ego—as a nerdy high schooler who gets by with his 32 year old brother (and fellow Pampers wearer) Kip (Aaron Ruell), his stuck-in-1982 Uncle Rico (Jon Gries), his laconic immigrant friend (“You have my back?”) Pedro (Efrem Ramirez), and his “woman” Deb (Tina Majorino). Absurdity combines with reality in a deadpan, non-judgmental narrative. While exaggerated, these are people we all know. Even the filming is deadpan. Hess shoots the characters straight on, unless it’s an “action” shot, where a static camera waits for a car, bike, etc. to enter the frame. We watch: Napoleon fall over a fence and get slammed into lockers, yet learn to dance; Pedro run for class president (“we do it all the time in Mexico” he explains about bashing a piñata that bears the likeness of his electoral rival); Kip successfully hook up with babes on the Internet; LaFawnduh (Shondrella Avery) visit and pimp Kip’s wardrobe; Rico sell Tupperware and breast enhancing herbs, while making videos of himself throwing a football; and Deb’s artistic attempts to raise money for college. Meanwhile, a cow gets shot and bullies work over weaklings. Stay through the credits for the wedding scene.Read full review
The movie is as funny as always. Disc one includes the movie itself along with voice-over commentaries by the various people involved, including the cast itself. Disc two includes a phlethora of goodies including sample auditions by different characters, the 'original' Napoleon Dynamite short by Hess, different promos by Heder to support the movie (on MTV, SNL, etc.) and, of course, the oft-included out-takes. I don't usually get involved with the 'Disc 2' of these sets but this one is funny. Well worth the few extra bucks spent... lots of laughs. Just an aside, I wonder if Heder, like many others who achieve 'fame' through a specific characterization will ever be 'allowed' to go beyond this identification, much like Brent Spiner as 'Data' on Star Trek TNG. Ah.... the pros & cons of fame through character identification - lots of bucks (sometimes) but stuck in that role.Read full review
The first time I saw Napoleon Dynamite, I just couldn't comprehend how someone could like the movie. It seemed stupid, slow and pointless. Well, as with many things in life, one must give it a second try and I did. When I watched the movie with an open mind, I couldn't stop laughing. I'm 43 and the characters in the movie are as true-to-life and one could possibly get. The HORRIBLE fashions were mainstream and noone realized at the time just how STUPID they really looked. The geek boys were always hoping they could score with the most popular girl in school, something I know has and will never change. Let's hear it for optimism. And that's what this entire movie is really all about. Everyone feels their childhood wasn't perfect, but when you watch Napoleon, you realize things were pretty darn normal. The characters are a scream. Every single solitary one of them from Napoleaon's brother Kip and his "Chat Room" girlfriend La Fonda, to his grandma, his uncle and his best friend Pedro. The innocense of the movie is hysterical and it's far too fun to laugh at the past. Whenever I need a good pick-me-up, Napoleon's going in my DVD player and up on my 73" screen! The special scenes and additions on these disks are great!Read full review
I LOVED Napoleon Dynamite! I laugh until my side hurts EVERY time I watch it. It's great for the whole family- nothing crude! Napoleon's dance performance is a MUST see! Especially great for anyone who has lived in, had relatives in, passed through or even heard of Preston, Idaho. The extras are great too! The deleted scene where awesome! I still get a kick out of Napoleon asking the D.I. (thrift store) clerk if they have a lay-away program. People either Love Napoleon Dynamite or they hate it. It really has no point to the story- but a great comedy anyway!
This movie is a true cult classic. I've seen it about 300 times for a reason. The movie is like a bunch of skits sewn together. There's no drama or seriousness. It's nothing more than goofy comedy that still makes me laugh even though I can recite almost every word. The "plot" is that of an underdog who is a friend to the end. Napoleon Dynamite is one of the few original films that I've seen in a very long time. I laugh at a lot of the scenes even though I can't figure out "what was so funny", but it is. My sister stole :) my first copy. My second copy ended up getting scratched after being handled so much. I just received my 3rd copy :)
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