Napoleon Dynamite
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Movie Reviews of Napoleon Dynamite
Movie Review: A Movie That Needs More Than One Look
Summary: 5 Stars
The first time I watched this movie I didn't like it. I have seen it a couple more times now; I think it is going to become a cult classic. Genuis is the best way to describe the writing and directing in this film. Simple and funny are two words that describe the story. But there are a few more words that can be included: daring, brilliant, and creative.
Napoleon Dynamite creators, Jared Hess and his wife, manage to offer a story touching on so many real-life high school and rural living situations that hit close-to-home for most people. Some my find the situations almost too close to home. I found the entire film to be enjoyable entertainment.
Napoleon is definitley a nerd. But he is a nerd searching for a way to make his life a little better; he is trying to stand up to his "looney" grandmother (at least I think that's who she was), deal with his strangely-geekier-than-Napoleon-himself brother Kip, and fight off the bullies who attack him day after day. He makes friends with another loner named Pedro, a guy who appears addicted to downers, thought I don't think that's included in the storyline.
Napoleon's uncle Rico ends up coming to visit, and this adds more difficult times for poor Napoleon. I think each of these characters, including Pedro's and Napoleon's love interests in the movie, interact so well together that the story almost seems like it is a documentary - a bit of an exaggerated documentary though.
It is really cool to watch Napoleon deal with so many situations, which aren't really earth-shattering events, but he treats them as they are. He handles problems Napoleon's way, and that gives this film a unique freshness that grows on the viewer.
This is a movie that has to be watched more than once to completely grasp its creative juices. I think John Heder plays this role so well that it may be hard for him to ever be himself again. Many people will always call him Napoleon from now on. I would love to see a part two and part three. Heck, what about a weekly television show! Napoleon may be one of the most memorable characters to come out of a film since Silence of the Lambs' "Hannibel the Cannibal".
Like I said earlier, I didn't "get" this film upon a first look, but after another viewing I really think this independent film is going to LAUNCH the career of Jared Hess to a new level.
If you haven't seen Napoleon Dynamite, I suggest you give it a try. If the first time you watch it, it seems a little "off", give it one more try. I think it such a different kind of movie that it is hard to "take it all in" upon the first viewing.
I am glad to have this little gem on my DVD shelf.
See ya next review.
Movie Review: Vote for Pedro
Summary: 5 Stars
This winning little low key comedy knocked me out with its subtle brilliance. Director Jared Hess and lead actor Jon Heder have wrought a minor miracle with this low budget, big box office film, which is so deadpan that some folks perhaps completely missed the point.
Like the delightful Christopher Guest projects A MIGHTY WIND or WAITING FOR GUFFMAN, this film definitely spoofs and caracatures its main characters; yet, it maintains a lot of affection for them as well. The mood and atmospherics of the small Idaho town are spot-on perfect...it could be Anytown USA or any school. Heder's Napoleon is a nerd for the ages. but he's also a tough survivor who's integrity and uniqueness gives him a thick skinned determination that makes you cheer when he succeeds.
Napoleon's one liners and dialog are the stuff of legends. I love his explanation of the "Liger," and his unmerited pride in his art skills.
Jon Gries as Uncle Rico is the perfect blend of oily sleaze, rockheaded idiocy, and pointless arrogance...and off-kilter menace. His routine of filming himself passing a football is so idiosyncratic and pitiful that it had me rolling on the floor. Aaron Ruell as Kip Dynamite seems to be based on John Waters, except more hip and less gross. Ruell is hilariously brilliant in a supporting role; he seems almost hateful and cold (and even nerdier than Napoleon), until he meets the hot mama LaFawnduh Lucas, played with a lot of spice by Shondrella Avery. By the end of the movie, Kip is actually almost lovable.
Then, of course, there is Pedro, who is actually a very cool cat. He is portrayed by Efran Ramirez with a winning, shy-but-confident demeanor; his deadpan delivery also provokes a lot of mirth. The movie wouldn't be complete without the lovely Tina Majorino, who plays Deb, a friend to Pedro and love interest for Napoleon (once he finally sees the *babe* Summer Wheatley for what she really is...a selfish trollop).
Napoleon's dance at the end of the film has to be seen to be believed--it's pure magic. You will, like his high school classmates, want to stand and cheer.
This DVD has some really cool extras, including commentary and a short film. The music in the movie is totally cool and enjoyable. I believe NAPOLEON DYNAMITE is a work of genius...a bit raw and unfocused at points, but a thoroughly enjoyable and engaging visionary work. The acting and directing are inspired.
One other note: this is a very clean movie and acceptable for family viewing. It's proof that creativity wins out over gratuitous nudity and profanity and violence any day.
Movie Review: Is it so bad that it's good?
Summary: 5 Stars
I have seen a number of strange, quirky comedies and, if you can get into them, they can be good. I think that this is a great movie but, the problem is I can't figure out why. Is one of these movies that's so bad it actually beomes good in a kitchy sort of way or, is it really good? I haven't figured out the answer but, regardless, I really liked it and for those who can get into strange comedies, I highly recommend it. John Heder plays Napoleon, a totally deadpan nerd who speaks in a monotone throughout. He is a highschool student in Preston, Idaho, kind of a dreary looking place which has as much personality as does Napoleon. No matter what happens to him, no matter what bully is pushing him around, the deadpan demeanor never changes. He has an older brother at home and a strange, thrill seeking grandmother. When the grandmother ends up hospitalized, she has their uncle stay with them. Now, you have to understand that the nerdy older brother is about 32 yet, nontheless, he and Napoleon need someone to stay with them. By the way, this uncle is quite a piece of work, priding himself as a would have been professional football player who never got a break. Also, he and Napoleon's brother hook up in some offbeat money making schemes.
The big brother is not the same type of character that Napoleon is but, in his own way, he is equally a nerd, as he sits at the computer chatting with his online girlfriend. When his girlfriend arrives, by bus, from a distant city, she does not appear to be his type, indeed she is quite a surprise. OK, you can see it coming so maybe it's not such a surprise. Anyway, the two get along famously which adds more comedy to the movie.
There is a new kid at school, Pedro, and, with a Spanish accent, he too is as big a nerd as you can be. Lie Napoleon, he too is deadpan, barely reacting to events. However, he gets an inspiration; to run for class president. In his way, Napoleon helps him with the campaign against a snotty, blond princess named Summer. Does Napoleon ever, even briefly, break out of his deadpan? You'll have to see this movie to find out.
Also, to some extent, Napoleon has a romatic interest. He tries to get a date to a dance with one of the good looking, hot girls at school and, by some wierd quirk, he actually does. But, there is a friendship with a female nerd who fits in perfectly with Napoleon and Pedro. Is this friendship a romance? Oh, I don't know. The plot isn't involved enough to really delve in to such things. However, for the right, offbeat sense of humor, who needs a plot? The peculiar, quirky characters and situations are enough.
Movie Review: Funny and unique!
Summary: 5 Stars
Napoleon Dynamite (Jon Heder) is the typical sad-sack, luckless loser that has permeated high schools for seemingly centuries. He has no friends, he's picked on by bullies, he has a somewhat-odd home life ... but through it all, he's sure things will be just plain okay in the end.
Napoleon and his older brother Kip (Aaron Ruell) live with their grandmother, but at the beginning of the film she tells them she needs to take off for a couple days. Enter their Uncle Rico (Jon Gries), a self-starter who's living in 1982 (when the coach of his high school football team declined to put him in as quarterback, thus altering Rico's life forever). Some of the funniest scenes in the film involve Napoleon's often-combative relationship with Uncle Rico; Rico is also bound and determined to return to those halcyon days of his youth via a time machine he's seen advertised on the Internet, and he enlists Kip to help him raise the funds.
Napoleon befriends the new kid in school, Pedro (Efren Ramirez), who has a sweet bike, can talk to girls, and has an actual mustache. But like Napoleon, Pedro is a misfit. Both sometimes hang out with yet another taciturn student, Deb (Tina Majorino, all grown up from Waterworld), who secretly (it seems) likes Napoleon. But there isn't a lot of focus on their relationship, because Napoleon himself is fairly oblivious to how people perceive him. This isn't a story about young love or lust, it's a story about a misfit refusing to fit - while fitting in with others like him.
Jon Heder is perfectly cast as the gawky, dorky Napoleon; he resembles Butt-Head in countenance, although certainly not in temperament or intelligence. Mouth agape and with an awkward gait, Napoleon is about as odd a duck as you'd find in high school, and yet he still manages to survive with his dignity intact. He's a good egg, although he seems to overreact at times: "What are you gonna do today, Napoleon? Napoleon: Whatever I feel like I wanna do.....GOSH!" Still, his delivery is perfect. You can readily picture a Napoleon in any high school.
I think where the film ultimately succeeds, aside from the casting of Heder, is that it doesn't fall into the traps of predictability and stereotyping. Sure, it's a high school movie, and there are snobby pretty girls and arrogant jocks, but not much time is devoted to them. Sure, there's a big dance, but it doesn't necessarily turn out the way you'd expect it to. What you're left with, then, isn't a typical coming-of-age story, but rather a unique take on a rather mundane - albeit life-altering - time in a boy's life.
Movie Review: A brilliantly hilarious acquired taste.
Summary: 5 Stars
I avoided Napoleon Dynamite in theatres, put off by reviews such as Roger Ebert's. When I finally did give it audience, it was in some hotel suite in LA, a soft robe, a few chuckles, then room service came, my girl came out of the shower, Napoleon went off, and I made a hazy mental note to give it a fair shot at some point.
So, to speed things up a bit...the second time I thought it was very funny, the third time, funnier (and I don't mean just in retrospect, I laughed harder, and enjoyed it more).
I've seen Napoleon like 20 times...eeezy! It's going down in my regime of cult films with the likes of Office Space. And, much like Office Space, it's no epic; there aren't any deep moral lessons to be had, any detailed historical accounting that will firm up your academic understanding of our place in the world. Nope, just a concentrated dose of nostalgic hilarity. Not in the sense that I wish I could be in High School again, or back in the 80's (a period that this film spoofs heavily), but more in the sense that it reminds you of simpler times and simpler concerns. Nerd or not, most every reader cared deeply about the opinions of others then, about who they'd take to the dance, about whether they'd have to do "all" their chores (like feeding ham to their pet llama Tina). I think if this movie - which is so oft accused of being devoid of plot - were to be forced to offer up some kind of lesson, or value, it should be just that: it helps take our constellation of todays problems a bit less seriously by reminding us of how trivial yesterdays problems were.
Plus it's got some sweet scenes!
I'm sorry, but even if some disagree with my premise regarding this films value, how could anyone not find this movie flippin hilarious. Napoleon Dynamite is NOT slapstick, it's infinitely less obvious. That fact makes it harder for most to find the film immediately hilarious, but after a viewing or two, when your brain has ample time to digest the enormous volume of absurdity and texture, I think a good number of those who panned this film would be turned around. This movie is an amalgamation of the High School experience, consolidated into various archetypes, then amplified to an extreme.
Flippin awesome!
If you don't agree with me, you should eat a decroded piece of crap!
Enjoy,
Christian Hunter
Santa Barbara, California
BTW: Anyone who wants a Time Machine so they can go back to '82 should consult with me personally. It's eeeeasy, I've already looked into for myself.