Movie Review :: Napoleon Dynamite

Movie Review :: Napoleon Dynamite
Posted :: Jul 31, 2004 by Haggs

Written by: Ricky (Nightwatchman)
Napoleon Dynamite
Cast: Jon Heder, Jon Gries, Efren Ramirez, Aaron Ruell, Tina Majorino
Genre: Comedy/Art Theater
Rating: 10/10

If you thought Anchorman and Dodgeball were funny, think again. Those were "C" grade movies compared to Napoleon Dynamite. As some of you might have noticed, I put this movie in with the Art Theater genre, because it really is Art Theater. (I know some of you are astounded by the fact that MTV produced Art Theater.) Well folks it's true, Napoleon Dynamite is shot in a very interesting style; there is absolutely no hand held camera in this flick and the movie has a sort of odd retro feel to it.

Napoleon Dynamite tells the story about a group of teenagers in rural Idaho. Napoleon (Heder) is the typical nerdy/geeky guy, perhaps a bit exaggerated, who is looking for the girl of his dreams. Napoleon also has a brother named Kip (Ruell), who likes to spend his time on the computer chatting with ‘babes' and believes that his destiny is to become a cage fighter. The story takes off when Napoleon's grandma has an injury while driving a 4x4 out in the desert (she had told Napoleon and Kip that she was going to go have tea with her friends) and sends Napoleon's uncle Rico to look after Kip and Napoleon even though both of them are well over 18 (Kip is 35). Uncle Rico brings trouble to town when he partners up with Kip they both try several ludicrous "get rich quick" schemes. The second part of the plot that revolves around Napoleon and his friend Pedro (Ramirez) is the most hilarious. Pedro, who has recently moved in from some part of Mexico, and Napoleon are of like minds. He also wants to get elected as school president but from the very beginning we all know he has absolutely no shot at making it…or does he?

This is the best comedy I have seen this summer. It is a very different, not necessarily witty or quick, but more stupid silence comedy that will have you sowing on stitches over and over. The thing that parents will love about this movie, besides the fact that it is hilarious, is that there is absolutely NO foul language of any sort. The strongest words you'll hear are "freaking" and "what the flip." I mean that's beautiful; it proves the point that foul language is not needed to make a movie funny. The point of this movie is to have fun. It's meant to show you a different side of comedy we don't see every day, and I can see nostalgic teenagers 30 years from now watching this movie. Also, Napoleon Dynamite is a debut film for writer/director Jared Hess so be sure to look for more of his films int he future.