Napoleon Dynamite Movie Review:


A big hit at the Sundance Film Festival and already entailing a prominent cult following, the indie comedy Napoleon Dynamite is still not for everyone. It is dry, winded, and oblivious, to where some may just find it nauseating. However, if you are a fan of such weird and character driven low-budgeted comedies like Ghost World and Rushmore, this is for sure a film for you to see.

The character of Napoleon Dynamite himself is a slice of ambiguous brilliancy. Played by Jon Heder, Napoleon is a high school nerd in Preston, Idaho that mutters frustrations through his menial voice, has belligerent curly red hair, a gangly walk, and a wardrobe anyone from the 1980’s would love; including moon boots. During his physical education hours at school he enjoys games of tetherball by himself. Napoleon lives with his grandmother and equally dim brother, Kip (Aaron Ruell), who is 32 years old and is looking forward to meeting his Internet girlfriend in the near future. However, once Napoleon’s grandmother injuries herself while riding a dune buggy, his Uncle Rico (Jon Gries) arrives to take care of them for a few weeks. Uncle Rico is a steak devouring failure that remains stuck in his high school football days of the early 1980’s.

Napoleon soon meets a soft-spoken new student from Mexico named Pedro (Efren Ramirez) and the two make an immediate connection by their similar quirks. The quiet and conformed portrait photography student Deb (Tina Majorino) also joins the two as a circle of friends and a love interest for Napoleon. Shortly after learning of the upcoming class president elections at Preston High School, Pedro decides to run against the most popular girl in school, Summer (Haylie Duff). With obstacle after obstacle ensuing, Napoleon takes it upon himself to help Pedro by any means necessary with the school presidential race.

Fresh out of BYU’s film program, writer and director Jared Hess co-wrote Napoleon Dynamite with his wife Jerusha Hess. The film has an extra dimension of interest with the atmosphere of the 1980’s that is truly added as a character, even though the film does take place during present day. The wardrobes, Napoleon’s continuos “Sweet!” references, and the production design all contribute to the 80’s theme. The best cut sequence of the film is in fact a homage to the popular 80’s television series The A-Team. There are many winks throughout the film towards the 80’s culture, which include a Dragonslayer poster in Napoleon’s bedroom.

The characters themselves are originally filled with tendencies that arise out of the complete blue. Some may find characters too indefinable or obscure, but you will feel for them to succeed. In contrast, they are similar to the likable characters of Revenge of the Nerds, except with more peculiarities. Though it takes awhile to come around, the theme of the film is of friendship and the underdog achieving. The inclination of the script could have easily derailed the characters to dealing with American Pie type of obstacles, but it doesn’t, the film is in fact rated PG.

Hess has terrific visional scope through the lens, which gives the film more texture and subtlety. However, he still lets the interactions and acting tell the story, and does a proficient job with his small budget.

Jon Heder delivers an eccentric and exalted performance as Napoleon Dynamite. His consistent delivery with the character is fabulous and he will for sure win some type of award this year for best dance sequence. Film veteran Jon Gries is also amusing as the shady Uncle Rico as is The Drew Carey Show’s Diedrich Bader as a aggressive Tae Kwon Do instructor named Rex Kwon Do. Also effective are Efren Ramirez as the slow muttering Pedro and Aaron Ruell as Napoleon’s older brother Kip. If you remember Tina Majorino as the little girl in When a Man Loves a Woman and Waterworld, she is back and admirable as Napoleon’s love interest Deb. Lastly, Hilary Duff’s older sister, Haylie, makes for an efficient “teeny-bopper” queen as Summer, who is Pedro’s competition for the seat of class president.

Depending on what you evoke as comedy, is whether or not you will enjoy Napoleon Dynamite. Some moviegoers are appalled by comedy of this dry nature, in which some may walk out of this film in disgust. However, if you are a fan of this unique comedic genre, Napoleon Dynamite is a winner.

Grade: B+

06/22/04
Joseph C. Tucker

Site Contents Copyright© The Z Review, unless used with permission.This site has no intention to infringe on the rights of the film owners of Napoleon Dynamite and intellectual copyright holders of the movies mentioned herein & hold copyright over the movie, characters, merchandise & storyline.