Once in a decade, there is a movie that helps define the generation. Wall Street with it’s “Greed is Good,” motto for the 80’s, Clerks. with it’s “I shouldn’t even be here today,” slacker attitude in the 90’s. Please don’t let “Vote for Pedro” define this generation. If there is a just and loving God, this glassy-eyed slack-jawed country idiot for the masses won’t become the poster boy of this “Y” generation.
Because it’s already starting to happen, and I’m very, very scared.
Director
Jared Hess
Studio
Fox Searchlight
Paramount Pictures
Writer
Jared Hess
Jerusha Hess
Genre/Plot Line
Comedy
Character Driven
Starring
Jon Heder - Napoleon Dynamite
Jon Gries - Uncle Rico
Aaron Ruell - Kip Dynamite
Efren Ramirez - Pedro Sanchez
Budget/Theater Gross
Budget - $400,000
Theater Gross - $44,540,956
IMDB Rating
7.0/10 as of December 4, 2006
Tag Line
He’s out to prove he’s got nothing to prove
Proof, once more, why inbreeding never works
Synopsis
Out titular high-school character lives in his rural Idaho town with his 32 year old chat room obsessed brother Kip, their thrill seeking granny, and pet llama, Tina. Grandmother gets into a four-wheeling accident and their dead beat (mostly unemployed) Uncle Rico comes over to care after them, because a 32 year old guy can’t take care of his high school brother. Instead of babysitting, Uncle Rico tries his great rich quick schemes, buying time machines off of the internet and reminiscing about his high school “glory” football days. The story “pick up” when the new kid, Pedro, decides to run for school president and Napoleon decides to help. Hilarity ensues.
Review
This movie has become an instant cult classic. Kids are spouting lines from this film everywhere (including the kid at the 2005 National Spelling Bee for when he was asked about a word, he said “Do the chickens have large talons?”) and shirts that bear other references to this movie including the “Vote for Pedro” shirt and the “Your mom goes to college!” insult shirt. If you look above at the IMDB rating, it’s a 7.0 out of 10 (which is quite high). So, why am I so quick to take this sacred cow for millions for fans, slaughter it up and serve it like hamburger on the 4th of July?
When I watched this movie, it felt like I was losing IQ points. The only other thing I have witnessed has that ever happened to me was SpongeBob. I have never felt so disappointed by all the hype that surrounded this film though (The Blair Witch Project was close, but not like this (though I am still impressed by Blair Witch for the ingenuity of the whole marketing aspect)). I watched Napoleon Dynamite, wanting so bad to be funny ’cause I love offbeat geek characters.
Look, I’m not expecting every movie in the world to be Oscar caliber; we need our movies where nothing is dramatic and our experience is supposed to lighten our hearts and spirits. Sadly, this movie is far from that. The movie feels as if it was a first draft to a movie someone was going to shoot in their backyard with their friends (while my friends know that I want to shoot in my front yard, so it’s a little better). Napoleon Dynamite isn’t really a movie; it’s an hour and a half demonstration on how not to make a film. The writing is terrible (especially with the lack of a plot, or even jokes), and the acting is even worse (where everyone is trying to be stoned).
In order for a movie to be a “story” it starts with the writing. This movie has no story. Go ahead: convince me otherwise fanboys (and fangirls). What obstacle must Napoleon must over come to reach his goal (sure, it maybe a little insulting to talk about simple plot exercises, but it’s hard to ignore this topic in a movie without plot)? In fact, what were any of the characters doing throughout the movie? Nothing. And because of the lack of plot points, there is no growth. With no growth, there’s no character development. Because everyone needs to learn a lesson (even if it’s “Don’t tinkle in the ocean”).
What great lesson is learned at the end of the movie? Did Napoleon learn something by the end of the movie? Where’s the character development happened during the movie? Don’t count (SPOILER) Napoleon dancing in front of the school five minutes after learning it, because character development doesn’t take five minutes. Did he have a fear of crowds, or was teased because of his dancing earlier in the movie? No. The only real development is when Kip leaves town, (END SPOILER) and by that point, you really don’t care about what happens to anyone. If you don’t care about any of the characters, then you have a real problem with your writing.
Back to the character development. “But Robby,” I hear some of you asking, “Why is character development important? Things can be funny without people changing.” No, not really. Ron Burgundy changed, and if he can do that, then anyone can, including our “hero.” It doesn’t feel like a story if the main character doesn’t evolve and if you don’t have a story, you don’t have a movie; you have a series of SNL-type sketches with the same characters.
But even sometimes, SNL sketches have jokes. Every joke in this film is half a joke, either the setup or the punch line. Let met explain how jokes work:
Setup + Punch Line = Joke
You can’t have one without the other. Sure, the setup may be more subtle in jokes (such as commonly accepted social standards), but they’re still there. During the whole movie, people might as well have said, “Why did the chicken cross the road,” and “Aren’t you glad I didn’t say banana again?” because that’s how the whole movie was written. That’s just horrible writing. But it’s not the writing that’s bad, but the acting as well.
Look, I know that in independent films, you’re not a lock to get Christian Bale or anything, and it’s always nice to see new talent. But there’s a problem when everyone in the movie acts the same way: deadpan stoned. Napoleon, Pedro, Kip, and Deb all act in that very boring, monotonous tone. You can’t have the entire cast act in a deadpan way because if there’s no one to bounce lines off of, it isn’t funny then. But it’s not just the deadpan that’s the problem, it looks like they’re constantly stoned or confused by the situation: mouth wide open, eyes glazed over, hunched over. I don’t know if they’re trying to be funny by acting like that, but it’s not working. Maybe, just maybe, that’s how everyone in Idaho acts, but I seriously doubt it.
Then when something in the story did happen, like when Napoleon gets mad for the 100th time, he erupts like a five year old kid, complaining about everything. “Gosh!” he yells out and spastically movies his arms and head and turns into a whiny baby. And it’s at this point that you just don’t care anymore, because you can’t feel anything for anyone. By then, this movie has dragged on and wasted 82 minutes of your life that you’ll never get back.
Quotes
Kid on Bus: What are you gonna do today, Napoleon?
Napoleon Dynamite: Whatever I feel like I wanna do. Gosh!
Napoleon Dynamite: I spent like three hours doing shading the upper lip. It’s probably the best drawing I’ve ever done.
Trisha: Yeah… it’s really… neat.
Don: Hey, Napoleon. What did you do last summer again?
Napoleon Dynamite: I told you! I spent it with my uncle in Alaska hunting wolverines!
Don: Did you shoot any?
Napoleon Dynamite: Yes, like 50 of ‘em! They kept trying to attack my cousins, what the heck would you do in a situation like that?
Don: What kind of gun did you use?
Napoleon Dynamite: A freakin’ 12-gauge, what do you think?
Napoleon Dynamite: (referring to Deb’s milk) I see you’re drinking 1%. Is that ’cause you think you’re fat? ‘Cause you’re not. You could be drinking whole if you wanted to.
Randy: Napoleon, give me some of your tots.
Napoleon Dynamite: No, go find your own.
Randy: Come on, give me some of your tots.
Napoleon Dynamite: No, I’m freakin’ starving! I didn’t get to eat anything today.
(Randy kicks the tots which are in Napoleon’s pocket)
Napoleon Dynamite: Ugh! Gross! Freakin’ idiot!
Napoleon Dynamite: You know, there’s like a butt-load of gangs at this school. This one gang kept wanting me to join because I’m pretty good with a bo staff.
Napoleon Dynamite: Hey can I use your guys’s phone for a sec?
Secretary No. 1: Is there anything wrong?
Napoleon Dynamite: I don’t feel very good.
(Takes telephone and dials number)
Kip: (making nachos on the other line) Hi
Napoleon Dynamite: Is grandma there?
Kip: No, she’s getting her hair done.
Napoleon Dynamite: Ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh…
Kip: What do you need?
Napoleon Dynamite: Can you just go get her for me?
Kip: I’m really busy right now.
Napoleon Dynamite: Just tell her to come get me.
Kip: Why?
Napoleon Dynamite: Cause I don’t feel good!
Kip: Well, have you talked to the school nurse?
Napoleon Dynamite: No, she doesn’t know anything. Will you just come get me?
Kip: No.
Napoleon Dynamite: Well, will you do me a favor then? Can you bring me my chapstick?
Kip: No, Napoleon.
Napoleon Dynamite: But my lips hurt real bad!
Kip: Just borrow some from the school nurse. I know she has like five sticks in her drawer.
Napoleon Dynamite: I’m not gonna use hers, you sicko!
Kip: See ya.
Napoleon Dynamite: Ugh! Idiot!
Napoleon Dynamite: Tina, you fat lard, come get some DINNER!… Tina, eat. Food. Eat the FOOD!
Deb: I’m trying to earn money for college.
Kip: (from the background) Your mom goes to college.
Review for Dad
Pedro wins class president. Uncle Rico continues to live in a van (down by the river) as well as remembering his old high school “glory” days. Kip meets his woman online, and leaves Idaho (the only real character development). Napoleon does nothing, but says “Gosh!” fifty more times.
Conclusion
Obviously, I recommend that you don’t watch this movie; it’s not funny, not clever, nor is it entertaining. It is completely over hyped by fanboys and fangirls, who want to seem cool that they saw an indie film. Nothing happens in this film, and I just don’t understand the appeal. People seem to like it because it’s like someone they teased in high school, or they were like Napoleon in high school, so you shouldn’t be laughing at that.
This is a film that somehow has a cult following. There’s cult films that I understand (Rocky Horror Picture Show, Ed Wood’s movies) but I really don’t understand this one. There is nothing campy, nor ingenious about this film. There are better indie films out there (Wet Hot American Summer) if you want laughs. No matter what anyone will try and convince me, this movie is horrible. The only joy I have ever gotten from this film is thanks to South Park, when they made fun of Tom Cruise saying, “That actor from Napoleon Dynamite is better then you.”
Thank God I’m not the only one. I couldn’t even finish this movie. I wondered if I was dumb and missing something really funny.
Nope. It’s just bad.
Personally, I love the movie. I think that it’s because I lived in Preston Idaho while it was being filmed, my husband taught at Preston High School for three years, and we know so many of the extras. It’s fun to see the town and people we know. Oh, and in ine scene you can see my house!
There are a lot of things that are so very Preston, and that’s what makes me laugh.
That said… if I had never lived in Preston, I think I would find the movie mind-numbingly dull (except for the dance number. I always love a dance number). Your review is a good one in my book.
For me, Napoleon Dynamite was hilarious the first time I watched it, annoying the second - and I won’t watch it a third time. The personal outcome of this film all depends on the crowd you watch it with, that’s what I think anyways
Sorry Everyone. I guess I was being a hypocrite complaining about the writing and then having grammar mistakes in my writing of this article. I have now edited it better. I learned my lesson of hiring a monkey with a coke problem dictating my thoughts. You know what they say about a thousand monkeys at a thousand typewriters…
But, you’ll see that I do have an offbeat way of writing. That’s because I was taught in a public school, and as we all know in a public school you’re only supposed to write in five paragraph form and avoid lengthy sentences like this one you’re reading here. Well, I decided I hated that, and I write in a way that I talk. Sure I use commas everywhere, but I try my best; damn it. It’s kinda of hard when I have no one editing my work, but I’ll do my best.
Only monkeys who are are addicted to painkillers from here on out…
While I agree, by pretty much any standard this is a horrific movie, I do have one thought. It’s quite a stretch, and I seriously doubt the idea was in anyone’s head while making the movie, but could it be a form of post-modern commentary. Let’s look at it.
-No plot
As you note, movies are supposed to have plots. A huge argument of post-modernism is the idea that the limits of form and genre are no longer applicable. Hence the creation of a story with no plot, a complete flipping off to the standards of the genre. Also there’s a certain social commentary implicit in that rejection, to be elaborated on in the next section.
-No character development
In part this is another aspect of the lack of a plot. But looking at the social commentary dimension, perhaps this is a veiled protest against today’s world. The majority of people in America today are middle class suburban, the quintessential defenders of the status quo, the Dick and Jane family whose two children will grow up to the very same dream of the suburban house with the white picket fence, two kids and a dog. There is no true development or conflict in this kind of enviornment, it is cookie cutter conformity. So can’t the static nature of the characters in the movie be an expression of that. And also perhaps it’s chiding people for expecting such dynamism in their characters when they have so little in their own lives.
Final note, it also has echoes of Kafka, the supreme indifference to everything, the crushing, overwhelming apathy.
But like I said, those are just the ramblings of an overly-intellectual college student, and likely nothing to do with the movie’s actual intent.
I struggled with it while I watched it, but after it was over, it got funnier and funnier in my mind.
The only thing I took away from this movie was a reference point for all the stupid one-liners (can you really qualify any of them as one-liners in the first place?) I’ve heard ever since the movie debuted. I will admit a bit of a giggle at 2 scenes.
First, when Rico tags Napoleon in the face with a steak. I’m sorry, its stupid, and pointless, and completely childish, but it was a bit unexpected and I took a great deal of joy seeing my movie-long fantasy of someone smacking that moron in the head come true.
Secondly, you have to admit, the comment about the chicken talons was amusing. I’m not entirely sure WHY it was amusing, but it tickled me ever so slightly.
Strange I couldn’t find any enjoyment in this film… I watch Aqua Teen Hunger Force and RobotChicken, both notoriously plot-optional and entirely random in nature.
Well I cracked up just reading the quotes so I guess I disagree :-/
God I hated this movie. I only wish I had read this before I wasted a few hours of my life watching it.
I think it’s cultural. You can think it’s funny if it has reference to your own life. It does for me. The first time I saw it, I was dumbstruck, bewildered, etc, but it got funnier in my mind. It only works if it makes sense. Or if you understand why it doesn’t make sense.
Sorry Dude. BUt Napoleon Dynamite was one of my favorite movies. I watch it about 2 times a week and never get tired of it. It was so funny!
But you make me sooooo f*c***g MAD! 
you people suck napolian dynomite is the best movie ever and you are all just boaring and jealouse of the people who have humor and not to mention LIFES! >P
jacobjdog u totally RULE!!!!!!!!! and i agree with you 100%!!!!
I loved the film it was the dogs balls
WE LOVE THIS MOVIE IT IS SOOOO EFFING MADD!! AHA!
And to all those who dont have a good enough humour then get a life… its the flippen sweetest movie out! n ya’ll should appreciate it a good comedy!
so Get real banana peals and feel the love…
Hotbitches 4 life xoxoxox
To the original reviewer, If you like Setup + Punch Line = Joke watch Beverly Hills Cop.
To those of of that understand, Napoleon Dynamite is Flippin Sweet!
I think The Waterman has a valid point. I felt it was more a statement of the static nature of rural towns. It does seem people in those settings progress slower than those elsewhere.
In regards to it’s humor, Napoleon is a hyperbole of the socially inept kid we all knew at sometime. It’s almost a window into his world and what he finds important. It seems to me more like a documentary and, therefore, I excuse the lack of plot.
To lonegunman, I am equally surprised by your lack of interest in this movie considering your tastes. I found the humor between ND and much of the content on Adult Swim very similar. As far as the number on one liners, I feel the audience has more to do with that than the writers; and what about the number of one liners from ATHF.
well..i’m italian and i whatched that movie with a bounce of american guys…one of them was from idaho and they were making fun of him pretty bad…well, one day i met his dad…and, thinking of that movie, i could see him as a nopoleon’s character! it’s not really a movie, but a kinda documentary, showing in na weird way how life really goes in some parts of this country…that’s what i think..but hey, my job is making pizza, not whatching movies
have fun!
ciao
I love the movie. I’ve watched it so many times. And there is a moral of the story.. Napoleon made friends through the end of the show. He no longer played tether ball by himself. And you don’t have to be all popular and everything to get a date. [Deb].
I really, really, really hate to bring this up, but I’m sorry, I find it too amusing to pass up. Read the comments. With one exception (DAMN YOU), those who liked the movie type like, if you’ll pardon the phrase, complete retards. They may, and god I hope, be fully literate and eloquent speakers, but put them on a keyboard and its tonguebaths for the bus window. The critics all share a common thread as well… The ability to type in coherent, complete, mostly typo free english. I really hate to point a finger and say “If you liked this movie you’re a retard” but I’ll be damned if it didn’t just jump right off the screen for us all to see. Case in point? Napoleon Dynamite fans are borderline retarded. Point. Set. Match. (Matt, you get off scott free. You can use english. Congratulations. You sir, are immune to my slinging of the proverbial mud). I’ll also mention that any well written retort to this comment won’t count. Just because you can spend 2-3 hours spell checking and rewriting a comment to counterpoint my claim of your retardation doesn’t excuse the fact that anyone checking your posts elsewhere will see that yes, in fact, you should have your keyboard planted firmly up your keister.
This was pretty much the best movie ever made!
You guys are retarded!
lol
seriously. i really liked this film. but i can see why some people will totally hate it. it is so boring and nothing really happens but its just so funny!!
and nearly all population of LDS love it, as do i
Love It!
This movie is the best I’ve seen in years. I’m in my late 40’s and I love every moment of it. I have watched it many times and it gets funnier and funnier every time. A very clever film.
Naploeon Dynamite is great. If your to intellectually minded to find this funny, you have no sense of humour. However, Nacho Libre was bad.
for me kind of “the big lebowski “and that movie nicer then many shitty hollywood movies ,
nd- girls only want boyfriends who have great skills. you know, like nunchuck skills, bowhunting skills, computer hacking skills…
and
deb: what are you drawing?
nd: a liger.
deb: what’s a liger?
nd: it’s pretty much my favorite animal. it’s like a lion and a tiger mixed… bred for its skills in magic
hahah very clever ..
)
everyone should see that movie ( “brave haert” fans too
Well, I’ve seen many real comedies, but this one is definitely my favorite. The contemporary Will Farrell comedy films become old very quick, but the lovable atmosphere of this comedy makes it one of the most memorable ones out. Since it has a constant lighthearted atmosphere (ATHF), and not just one that uses a few gags like many films, it is completely different. For some obvious reasons, girls always seem to hate this movie, guys hate it, then like it, and people like me love it right away. Plus, you got to love the first dramatic scene, Napoleon slouching waiting for his bus to come. Guys that act snooty and are “above” this comedy, don’t take it out on people who do like it.
In response to LeeHarvey, I would take offense at your assumptions that all those who post on this site as critics in favor of the movie are illiterate, accept for the fact that you, clearly, have no real basis for your remarks. You are simply throwing out insults in an attempt to group all positive reviewers in a negative light because they have a different opinion than yourself. Shame on you. Everyone who posts has a right to their own opinion regarding the movie and being as you do not know any of these posters personally, where do you get off insulting their intelligence? All you succeed in doing is showing yourself to be a calloused and close-minded poster, unfortunately. Fortunately, no one seems to pay you any heed.
Now, my thoughts on the movie. I have seen it many times. It, in fact, was required viewing in one of my college courses where we widely dissected the movie and examined it using various criteria. I agree with the poster who thought it was similar to a documentary. If closely examined, Napoleon Dynamite exhibits many of Idaho’s cultural, economic, agricultural, geographical,social, etc. perks. Some of the movie is based on the writer’s experiences from living in the same town referenced by the movie, Preston, Idaho. The movie’s humor value depends largely on the viewer themselves and what they consider is funny. Just because one viewer finds this movie hilariously funny, another mildly funny or another finding it not entertaining at all does not make some right and others wrong. It is an individual matter of taste. A very wise saying is, “we can all agree to disagree”.
In reference to characters not growing I would suggest re-reviewing the movie. Yes, Kip does move away with his soul mate, LaFawndah, but character growth does not always mean a person has to move out of their location to grow. In Kip’s case, he is learning more urban behaviors from LaFawndah. Pedro, being moved from another country (Mexico) into Idaho, he is learning new things throughout the movie regarding cultural differences between Mexico and the U.S. Idaho. He has also made tremendous moves in growth from being a very shy introverted boy to actually running for the school president, a very big jump for a shy boy. Debra, too, is shy, but is learning to interact with Pedro and Napoleon, the three basically outcast due to their being different, have found friendship together. This is a movement of growth, loners no longer loners. Uncle Rico, is learning limitations. Not everything on the internet is what is appears to be. He is not as charming as he thinks he is. There are some limitations to his sales abilities and efforts. He is not the football player he thought he was nor is he a great movie maker, door-to-door salesman or for that matter, responsible person in general. He gets frustrated at his failings and gets beat up by a customer’s husband. Through all of this he does begin to see his limitations. His girlfriend returns to him in the end of the movie. She had left him because he was living too much in the past and now his character has grown some and she comes back to him. The character of Napoleon grows too. He began as a frustrated loner except for his eccentric family who tolerate each other but show little effection for one another. As the movie progresses, an ill-tempered, frustrated, fantasy-filled, lonely Napoleon meets two other loners, Pedro and Debra, and develops friendships. As the friendships progress Napoleon depends less and less on lies and fictional friends and events to fill his life. He gets brave enough to ask one of the popular girls to a dance which unfortunately leads to a heartbreaking conclusion for him as she dumps him at the dance. Yet, his two friends step in and save the night for him by sharing the time with him, both boys sharing dances with Debra. As Kip changes due to his relationship with LaFawndah and Napoleon changes due to his friendships with Debra and Pedro a better relationship grows between Kip and Napoleon. Uncle Rico, does in fact, effect Kip and Napoleon’s lives by encouraging them to work and support themselves rather than living off of their grandmother. Both brothers make efforts toward that end. Napoleon and Kip learn that earning money is not as easy as they thought.
There is actually more growth of the characters than I’ve mentioned here but it takes viewing the movie in a different mind-set than you would many other comedies. But it is truly not a plotless movie, it is a movie revolving around the growth of loners who change their lives dramatically by finding friends. The plot is very simplistic and basic but it is a plot, none-the-less. While some might think this is a bad piece of writing I would disagree and say that in truth, it is a brilliant piece of writing. Upon deep examination of this movie you will find so many levels of information that it will prove this was not a flippant piece of scriptural work but one that was researched deeply. It, in fact, could be considered a cultural puzzle and actually both interesting and fun to discover all the intricate pieces it involves. Nearly every little tidbit in this movie has double meaning to it. To view it as a mere movie and nothing else causes the viewer to truly miss out on the concepts and educational value of this movie. There is more to this movie than first meets the eye.
afternote for LeeHarvey: I did not use spell check at all in my posting. I liked the movie and I am far, far, far from illiterate, my friend.