Napoleon Dynamite, the first major effort by director Jared Hess smacks of just that: one idea spun into a feature that drags on without much of a plot or thematic substance. It's like a pop song that just repeats the chorus over and over, with no...
- 17.September.2010
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- by: travtufts
- travtufts rated this movie
 0/10
Napoleon Dynamite, the first major effort by director Jared Hess smacks of just that: one idea spun into a feature that drags on without much of a plot or thematic substance. It's like a pop song that just repeats the chorus over and over, with no verses containing narrative.
The film has been compared to Wes Anderson's work in Rushmore, but where Rushmore is a dark comedy full of quirky characters and clever observations on human romantic liaisons, Napoleon Dynamite simply has the characters.
Don't get me wrong, the characters are fabulous. Much attention has been laid upon the lead and title role, but I would argue that the supporting cast is what kept me laughing throughout the film.
But an exceedingly strange cast full of funny gimmicks does not make for a great film. That fact was never clearer than when, as the film neared its conclusion, there seemed to be an attempt to wrap up all the characters with the concept of finding one's "soul mate." In some cases it was believable, in others it make no sense whatsoever.
Hess' camera does well to display the solitude of the outcast coupled with the seclusion of small-town life. His wider shots of empty roadways surrounded by crops certainly portray this feeling of being alone, but it's not enough to salvage a script based on an premise the length of a SNL skit and just as tedious at times.
The picture is certainly a cult favorite, to be sure, but not much in the way of a well-rounded film.
- 17.September.2010
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- by: travtufts
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If I had only one word to describe Napoleon Dynamite, it would be "overrated." Napoleon Dynamite wasn't a bad film, but I've heard so many good things about it that I thought it would be a lot better. The movie really didn't amount to much. Rather...
- 09.October.2009
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- by: Ethan Clapham
- Ethan Clapham rated this movie0/10
If I had only one word to describe Napoleon Dynamite, it would be "overrated." Napoleon Dynamite wasn't a bad film, but I've heard so many good things about it that I thought it would be a lot better. The movie really didn't amount to much. Rather than a plot, the movie was based around a series of events in the life of a high school kid from Idaho. Sure, the movie had some very funny moments, but overall there wasn't much substance. Did I enjoy the time I spent viewing Napoleon Dynamite? Yes. Do I have a burning desire to see it again? No. Do I recommend it? Maybe. If you're looking for an off-beat comedy that makes you feel sorry for just about every character in the movie, then Napoleon Dynamite might be just the ticket.
The DVD presentation was quite good for a low-budget movie like Napoleon Dynamite. The picture quality was decent. The picture was clean and free of dirt or scratches. I can't speak for how well the DVD recreated the look of the movie, but the colors were very bright and vibrant and looked very good. The Dolby Digital 5.1 track was not bad, but certainly wasn't too creative. The audio was mostly constrained to the front channels, with the exception of the music, which was occasionally audible in the surrounds. I had nothing to complain about, but the presentation didn't stand out either.
- 09.October.2009
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- by: Ethan Clapham
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Napolean Dynamite is one of those movies that defines the viewer. There is no middle ground~you either loved it or hated it. This was one of the BEST movies I've ever seen.
Napolean Dynamite is a social outcast who knows he's one, but doesn't...
- 18.April.2009
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- by: kimperry
- kimperry rated this movie
 10/10Must See
Napolean Dynamite is one of those movies that defines the viewer. There is no middle ground~you either loved it or hated it. This was one of the BEST movies I've ever seen.
Napolean Dynamite is a social outcast who knows he's one, but doesn't care. He remains true to himself and isn't afraid to do things that make him happy even if the viewer cringes while watching him make a fool out of himself.
I wish I could go back in time to experience it for the first time because it's just that unique of a movie. It's quirky, fun and has some amazing quotes like "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."
You must see this movie!
- 18.April.2009
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- by: kimperry
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I want my two hours back! This was a waste of time. A friend told me that this uproariously funny, stupid, but funny. I giggle twice. The rest was dross. Unsympathetic characters, wasted situations. The movie struck me as a script made up of all the...
- 10.April.2009
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- by: roodscreen
- roodscreen rated this movie2/10Bad
I want my two hours back! This was a waste of time. A friend told me that this uproariously funny, stupid, but funny. I giggle twice. The rest was dross. Unsympathetic characters, wasted situations. The movie struck me as a script made up of all the material edited out of a bad movie. Don't, I repeat, don't was a rental on this trash.
- 10.April.2009
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- by: roodscreen
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Napolean is the sterotypical nerdy kid in school who nobody gives attention to. His language and actions are hilarious in this instant cult classic. The movie could have dove even deeper into funny scenes and lines, but did a nice job keeping this...
- 07.April.2009
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- by: tpullis
- tpullis rated this movie8/10Great
Napolean is the sterotypical nerdy kid in school who nobody gives attention to. His language and actions are hilarious in this instant cult classic. The movie could have dove even deeper into funny scenes and lines, but did a nice job keeping this to a short 90 minutes with laughs the whole way through! Wonder if we'll get a part 2? Be sure to check out the deleted scenes on your DVD.
- 07.April.2009
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- by: tpullis
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This is the epitome of stupid and pointless, which says a lot about me, huh? Just with the first sequence, this movie gets me laughing and keeps me laughing until I need 1,000 stitches! I am glad my high school years were nothing like this, and that...
- 23.March.2009
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- by: Kristyn
- Kristyn rated this movie0/10
This is the epitome of stupid and pointless, which says a lot about me, huh? Just with the first sequence, this movie gets me laughing and keeps me laughing until I need 1,000 stitches! I am glad my high school years were nothing like this, and that my home life was not as dysfunctional, but I love this movie which portrays things that are still so common in school today, but twists it around into something so satirical and almost unreal. I know most people just find this movie to be totally dumb and not worth their time, so I won't try and force anyone into watching it, but, if you have a twisted sense of humor and like totally absurd movies, give it a shot! 1/31/09
- 23.March.2009
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- by: Kristyn
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What a throwback to the eighties!!! Napoleon Dynamite doesn't really have much of a story to it, but has probably one of the most original and true characters I've seen in a movie. I seriously need to see Jon Heder interviewed because he has got to...
- 23.March.2009
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- by: Jason
- Jason rated this movie8/10Great
What a throwback to the eighties!!! Napoleon Dynamite doesn't really have much of a story to it, but has probably one of the most original and true characters I've seen in a movie. I seriously need to see Jon Heder interviewed because he has got to be like the character he plays in some way. I've noticed that there's a lot of "you either love it or hate it" about this the movie, but I think the consensus is that it's good. I sometimes have quirky taste in movies, so I always look to my wife's taste to see if a movie is agreeable for the general public. Since she like Napoleon, I think it's a safe bet.
The movie is set in the 80's (I think) and focuses on Napoleon, who is a very awkward teenager living in Idaho and trying to make the best of the situations he faces. It also has one of the best opening credit sequences I've seen in a while, by using different real backgrounds and doing close ups on different plates of food while spelling out the credits in some kind of sauce or condiment. The script was very well written, especially the dialogue between the characters and Napoleon's mannerisms. There was also NO cussing, sex, or brutal violence in the whole movie, hence the PG rating, which is unheard of these days for an adult audience. And most important of all, it made me laugh a lot.
If you want to see something original and funny, this is a good movie to watch. Don't get ready to hear a great story or see awesome action and special effects. And it's not funny in the sense of the cheap shots most of the SNL or teen movies take. It's funny because everyone probably knew someone like Napoleon either by acquaintence or because you knew it would be social suicide to associate in any manner with someone like him. Also, this movie should be appreciated by fans of 80's culture because this movie has some good 80's artifacts floating around that most current movies set the 80's don't have.
- 23.March.2009
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- by: Jason
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This is the best independent comedy I have ever seen. The characters in this film fit the scenery to perfection, and they all are simply hilarious. From the way the actors dress, to how they dance and talk, it couldn't have come together any better...
- 22.March.2009
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- by: Matthew
- Matthew rated this movie10/10Must See
This is the best independent comedy I have ever seen. The characters in this film fit the scenery to perfection, and they all are simply hilarious. From the way the actors dress, to how they dance and talk, it couldn't have come together any better than this. Jon Heder is brilliant as Napoleon Dynamite, and there is no one that could have pulled it off better. His character is young, lazy and bored, and you can't blame him when you see where he lives. But no matter how bored the characters are portrayed in the film, you will not be bored while watching this. I will be quoting lines from Napoleon Dynamite for years to come. Please do yourself a favor and watch this low budget masterpiece!
- 22.March.2009
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- by: Matthew
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I'm looking forward to receiving my $10 from foolishmonkey, because this movie was very dreary. I watched with morbid fascination as I tried to figure out what the other reviewers found so hilarious.
This movie was pap, and I don't understand the...
- 19.March.2009
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- by: Tygger2512
- Tygger2512 rated this movie4/10Disappointing
I'm looking forward to receiving my $10 from foolishmonkey, because this movie was very dreary. I watched with morbid fascination as I tried to figure out what the other reviewers found so hilarious.
This movie was pap, and I don't understand the award nomination at all.
- 19.March.2009
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- by: Tygger2512
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True to life
Who didn't know a Napolean Dynamite in high school? This movie is hilarious because it's so true to life. Napolean is a nerdy outcast dealing with a dysfunctional family. He decides to help his new friend win the elections for class president and...
- 27.August.2008
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- by: spencer
- spencer rated this movie8/10Great
True to life
Who didn't know a Napolean Dynamite in high school? This movie is hilarious because it's so true to life. Napolean is a nerdy outcast dealing with a dysfunctional family. He decides to help his new friend win the elections for class president and hilarity ensues. Highly recommended. The actors were perfectly cast in this unique indie comedy.
- 27.August.2008
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- by: spencer
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