Napoleon Dynamite
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Movie Reviews of Napoleon Dynamite
Movie Review: A movie ahead of its time -- whatever time that is...
Summary: 5 Stars
Very rarely do movies compel me to watch them multiple times. But in the case of "Napoleon Dynamite." I saw the movie 4 times in the theater (twice for the new wedding ending) and 3 times on DVD. I think the first time I saw it I was with friends who thought it would be a cross between "Welcome to the Dollhouse" and "Sixteen Candles." It's not.
It takes place in the director/co-writer's (Jared Hess) hometown of Preston, Idaho -- a town where time forgot. Sure there's the Internet for Kip to chat online with babes. But everyone dresses like Sears hasn't gotten any new clothes since 1987. The characters are something out of a David Lynch movie, without the horror. If Jerri Blank from "Stangers With Candy" had a fmaily just like her, this would be it. Nerdy just doesn't do it justice. What makes this film endearing and addictive probably has something to do with the fact that all the weird little moments in the film are based on things that really did happen to the director growing up in rural Idaho.
So here's my list of interesting trivia and reasons why you should get this flick, now!
* Best opening credits ever using condiments and school supplies to spell out cast and crew names!
* The actor who plays the lead of Napoleon Dynamite -- Jon Heder -- actually drew all those bizarre sketches of unicorns farting, ligers and the portrait of the girl he asked to prom.
* Big Jakes -- best strawberry shakes you'll ever down -- in Preston.
* All Uncle Rico consumes during the film is steak and milk. The actor who plays him -- Jon Gries -- is a vegetarian who hated milk.
* Check out the tacky retro decor in the Dynamite home -- lots of odd wallpaper, dual portaits, and a bobcat hide on the wall.
* Longest telephone cord EVER!
* Ebay-bought time machine or torture device?
* A closer look at what it takes to earn a ribbon from the FFA!
* Napoleon's t-shirt collection is IMPRESSIVE! And let us not forget the moonboots!
* Rex Kwon Do!
* Happy Hands Club!
* Music in the film includes White Stripes, old-school Cyndi Lauper, Money Mark and tons of odd Woolsworth type tunes.
* Teatherball!
* Tina the llama (the director's mom's llama).
* D-Qwon's Dance Moves are really moves improved by actor Jon Heder. Check out those spirit fingers!
* Vote for Pedro A-Team montage!
* Kip's love song: "Yes, I love technology/But not as much as you, you see."
Plus you'll learn more about this and more in the commentary which is more than worth a listen! Enjoy!
Movie Review: Chances are you'll love it or hate it
Summary: 5 Stars
In my experience with this film most people who watch it have one of a few reactions. Here they are:
1."I can't believe how boring and pointless that movie was."
2."That movie was so stupid it's funny. I could've made a movie like that."
3."That was the most fun I've had watching a movie in a long time!"
A small group of people end up in the, "Yeah, it was kinda funny" group. In other words, if you still haven't seen this, chances are you'll either love it or hate it. I loved it. When I walked out of the theater after watching this film I said to my wife, "That was the most fun I've had watching a movie in a long time." I watch about a movie a month.
A lot of the people in the first group tend to complain of the movie's lack of plot. Many of these same people also claim that those of us who enjoyed this movie did so at Napoleon's expense- i.e. we laugh because we feel superior to him (see the above Amazon review.) I disagree with both notions. The plot certainly is simple and it's often obscured by the near continual stream of one-liners and gags. But there is a story here. It's about a nerdy kid and his nerdy friends who end up achieving more than they ever expected to and make themselves happy along the way.
But few people, if any, are going around telling their friends to see this movie because of the great feel good story. Most people that enjoyed this film enjoyed it because they laughed so hard at all the gags and one-liners. I know I did.
But I wasn't laughing because I felt superior to Napoleon and all the real life people he represents. I laughed because I know, to a degree, what it's like to be Napoleon. I sat in class drawing "medieval warriors" and whatnot. I set up plywood ramps on the sidewalk in front of my house to ride my bike over. I remember regarding the popular girls as some sort of unattainable goddesses, and the dudes they hung around with as meathead jocks. I'm not alone here, and I'm not trying to portray myself as part of some sort of nerd elite. Most people can relate to what I'm talking about. Yeah, the character of Napoleon took the whole idea to an extreme. But would the movie have been funny if it didn't? Of course not.
So if you haven't seen this movie and you're wondering whether you'll like it, be aware that the humor is simple and the story is simpler. And don't feel guilty for laughing at Napoleon. Odds are you or someone you know probably have a little in common with him. That's why I found it so fun to watch.
Movie Review: Ebert's criticism was too harsh. This is a great movie.
Summary: 5 Stars
I think Robert Ebert criticism of Napolean Dynamite is too harsh. Napolean Dynamite creates a generational bridge for parents and their children to laugh. The movie is funny, harmless, and positive.
What was stupid about the movie? It is humorous rural American humor. 32 year old Kip falls in love with his chant soul mate and they hit it off. Napolean's lines are funny, "Do chickens have Talons?", "I have Nunchuck skills, Bow Staff skills, Computer Hacking Skills", "You got three feet of Air", "Pedro promises you protection", "Pedro's got your back", and "Are you going to eat those Totes". The movie meet with alot of laughter in my house. During Kips wedding, the clergy tells them, "We you get mad, go out side for a walk. After you have walked for a while your no longer angry and the walking is good for your health."
Preston Idaho is one of the best kept secrets. The Preston Idaho mountains, the farm land, and the school are all hall marks everyone should see once in their life. Napolean is a member of Future Farmers of America and offers farm humor by correcting identifying the defects in three milk samples.
The characters don't fight back in anger. Napolean gets dumped at the prom; Pedro gets turned down by Summer for a date to the prom; Deb leaves her hand crafts on Napoleans door step; Uncle Rico get caught in a 1982s time wrap; and Kip gets slapped around at Rex Kwon Do. Napolean is the master of indifference yet wins over the admiration of his peers. Pedro, Deb, and Napolean become good friends.
Napolean and Deb learn respect for each other. I don't think the characters migrate toward complete social unacceptablity, they may migrate towards isolation but is privy to a select group of friends. The whole notion of social acceptability should be ridiculed because it doesn't exist. What is exists is individuals and individuals relationship.
I loved the polyester suit and vest, and the polyester tie because it reminded me of the past. I laughed with Napolean and not at him. Napolean is about style not pity. Do you think Napoleon and Pedro won the contest for class President by clowning?
Why not pick on Uncle Rico? "Bust Must" was stupid. The time machine was stupid. Rico and Kip buying a time machine from a magazine is stupid. Rico was the necessary antagonist element in the movie to see that Napolean could stand up for himself. The grandmother was not a part of the theme.
Movie Review: It's hilarious if you happen to be human...
Summary: 5 Stars
The wonderful thing about "Napoleon Dynamite" is the humanity of the characters. Perhaps those who did not find this movie funny were either (a) like Summer Wheatley, so wrapped up in themselves that they never took any effort to really know the people around them, or (b)have yet to learn to laugh at themselves and their own shortcomings. The characters are well-developed and deeper than they first appear, and the actors have perfected their characters' personas. The situations are what makes this film so funny, and when you stop to think about the things that you thought were so important to you in High School, it makes this film even funnier.
This movie is bursting with heart, and carries two important messages that could be heard loud and clear above the laughter: (1) IT TAKES TREMENDOUS PERSONAL FORTITUDE TO RISK LOOKING LIKE A FOOL TO HELP A FRIEND, and (2) REGARDLESS OF HOW GEEKY, HAPLESS OR DIFFERENT YOU ARE, THERE IS SOMEONE IN THIS WORLD WHO WILL LOVE YOU. When it comes down to it, those are the core teachings of Christ: "There is no greater love than to lay down your life for a friend", and "Love your neighbor as yourself". For anyone who has ever suffered humiliation at the hands of those who did not have the courage to be themselves, or to take any stand whatsoever, this movie rings true.
Moreover, like "The Breakfast Club" and other teen movies that came after, "Napolean Dynamite" gives us a glimpse of adolescence through the actions and reactions of characters who have no idea that they are living some of the best times of their lives. As sad and frustrating as Napoleon's existence seems to be, there are two characters in the film who affirm that the future will be more and less than he imagines. Older brother Kip finds true love in his chat-room soulmate ("LaFawnduh is the best thing that ever happened to me... Napoleon, I'm sure you will find your soulmate one day"). Uncle Rico so longs for his lost youth and a second chance that he resorts to a "time machine" that he buys on-line ("If coach had just put me in for the fourth quarter, we would have won state. I just know it!"). In each case, the elder characters' lives serve as confirmation and caution for the future.
One last thumbs-up for this film: It proves that a film can be entertaining, funny and meaningful without coarse language, gratuitous sex or violence, or a $20 million budget.
Well done Mr. and Mrs. Hess! We anxiously await your next project.
Peace out!
Movie Review: Dynamite Film
Summary: 5 Stars
In the wake of independent pictures and original films, this seems to be one of the prized selections in those categories. Last night, I had the pleasure of seeing what I consider one of the funniest and most interesting film I've seen in awhile. It's really about nothing, not Seinfeld nothing, but nothing really important or prolific. It's just about a boring life, a different world. The world of 'Napoleon Dynamite.'
Dynamite is one weird kid. He has the most eccentric, odd, loser family in Idaho and he dons odd clothing, hairstyles, and participates in random, mundane activities. But, that's what makes him interesting, what makes the film interesting. As we follow him, from his ventures with his brother into joining a karate, defense class labeled, 'Rex Kwan Do', to a day of school where the kids are just as dated as he is, we meet and see more of the dynamic world. Imagine a world today, that wasn't in today's standards and culture. A place where the music is of the 80's and the people are stuck in the fashion and lifestyles of the 70's. Odd doesn't describe this, but hilariously distinguished might.
The main storyline is that Napoleon ventures through life into many adventures, if you may call them that. In this movie, he meets a timid, different Mexican boy named Pedro, a different, more square yet cute girl at school, and ventures to both go to the school dance and elect his friend class president. If that isn't story, then I'm afraid I haven't read enough literature.
The film's real talent lies in the direction. Taking much retrospect and love from Wes Anderson, this film is an art house picture. From the eats in the credits, to the random shots and scenery, this film is a piece of work. Surreal yet vivid of the past. I can't really put my finger on it, but all I kept saying was how this felt like a Wes film, which is always great.
The comedy is dry, bland, and stale. But, it works. It's not the funny that you sit there and laugh out loud or kick the chair hysterically, it's just there, and laugh if you may. Although there are scenarios everyone is bound to laugh, but for the most part, it's open minded humor. You don't walk into this film trying to understand, it's not to be understood, it's just to be. If that sounds anything but intelligent, then...I have failed you. But, nevertheless, see the film that everyone but those who never saw it, will be talking about.
I suggest this.