Napolean Dynamite

[MysticalMoose]

I am so confused on why so many people liked this movie. For a week I heard from all females "Oh my god! Did you see napolean dynamite?". My response: "What the hell is napolean dynamite?". So I paid my lost 6 dollars and saw the movie. For a comedy its a shame that a man rarely cracks a smile. My standards are set high of course, but honestly, does anyone else know that this movie even exists, and if so, enjoyed it?

[allthatglitters]

I was really hoping for an in-depth review :( I have had several friends tell me to go see it- friends who's opinions I greatly respect. I did know that it existed however and am looking forward to seeing it sometime in the near future with a few friends. What exactly was it that you didn't enjoy about it?

[AboveTheClouds]

I thought it was gold...

[MysticalMoose]

You want an in depth review, hard to do with a movie that has so little depth. Ha, it wasn't that bad really. If someone wants to ellaborate, be my guest.

[jrs]

Here's my review of Napolean Dynamite (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?t=7604&highlight=napolean+dynamite)

[projectMayhem]

I don't think there was a scene in this movie that I didn't laugh at. Some of the shots of those mountain ranges were incredibly well photographed. One of my favorite movies so far this year.

[MysticalMoose]

oops, sorry jrs, didnt realized you posted one. Everyone go to jrs' review, looks better, always does.

[casa]

im sorry guys but i thought the movie was awful maybe it just wasnt my type of humour but i can honestly say i laughed in that movie no more than three times

[Tazz]

im sorry guys but i thought the movie was awful maybe it just wasnt my type of humour but i can honestly say i laughed in that movie no more than three times

Napoleon Dynamite was really funny, i enjoyed it.

[dillskies88]

ive yet to see it but i really want to

[AboveTheClouds]

It's hilarious.

[Herod]

Napoleon Dynamite was a wholly soulless film, it had the emotional resonance of a wacky television commercial.
One of the worst films in recent memory.

[AboveTheClouds]

I have some advice for you... When you decide to go to a comedy.. LOWER your standards....

[jrs]

Animal _Mother I have some advice for you...try not to tell people how their taste of movies SHOULD BE. Sure you and I loved Napolean Dynamte but forcing others to (lower their intellect so it sounds) seems a little out of bounds don't you agree?

To each his own Animal Mother, to each his own.

[Herod]

I have some advice for you... When you decide to go to a comedy.. LOWER your standards....
So the burden is on me, the viewer, to make a film good.

I don't have to lower my standards for good comedies, ones with depth, so why should I do so for this one?

[MysticalMoose]

the anger... :D

[PimpDaShizzle]

Yeah, I find it helps a lot when you, the viewer, does all the leg work when it comes to making a movie good. I mean, what the hell are directors and producers for anyways?

[FrankTheBunny420]

I have some advice for you... When you decide to go to a comedy.. LOWER your standards....

I agree with you in a way, some of my favorite comedies are the most rediculous stories, such as any Farrelly Bro's movie, or Tom Green.

As a movie snob myself, lowering your standards just means not looking down your nose a movie, such as you normally would. Swallowing your pride to laugh alittle.

[FrankTheBunny420]

I am so confused on why so many people liked this movie.

I thought it was hilarious. The new fad, with entertainment, in my opinion is the lame-ness of a character. For example, look at how popular Adult-Swim has become. Three out of four of those cartoons (Aqua Teen, Sea-Lab, Home Movies) are all centered around characters with lame characteristics. I think this concept is hilarious, its been a long time since we've seen anything so refreshing in entertainment.

[Tomcattwist]

Hey, this is Tomcattwist. I have yet to see this film but feel like I have to. I live in Boise Idaho and was born in a place called Downey Idaho about 10 minutes away from Preston Idaho where this film was shot. I have been making short films for like 3 years now and this guy made this film for $400,000 and it has already grossed $39,000,000. This would have to develope some serious clout for this guy even if the film sucks swamp water I have to admire the effort. I am guessing that it has "Teeny Bop," humor with catch phrases that get into their heads. A lovable loser or losers, who even the snobbish people can get behind pretending that they would never be mean and nasty to a kid like Napolean. I think this movie has mined for and found a gold mine of a niche. I read the idea came from a short film he made and someone saw it and helped finance the feature. Pretty cool coming out of Idaho, I am proud of him no matter what I think of the film when I see it.

[AboveTheClouds]

I didn't see any Teenie boppishness in it..... I just thought it was an extremely entertaining movie.

[Tomcattwist]

Well, I guess I meant it may appeal more to the younger crowd, maybe 10-21. I see you saw Dog Soldiers, was that the one with werewolves and the cow that flew into the scene out of no where? That was a cool scene and the movie was pretty good.
Twist

[heidigrl43434]

I am so confused on why so many people liked this movie. For a week I heard from all females "Oh my god! Did you see napolean dynamite?". My response: "What the hell is napolean dynamite?". So I paid my lost 6 dollars and saw the movie. For a comedy its a shame that a man rarely cracks a smile. My standards are set high of course, but honestly, does anyone else know that this movie even exists, and if so, enjoyed it?
***************************

I liked ND because it was like watching someones real life. There were no special effects, no glamorous models, nothing flashy. For a while I forgot I was watching a movie and not someones real life.

Watching ND is like watching an autobiography if you were the nerd at school, or like watching the biography of the nerd who's life you made hell. And you actually see he's a nice guy and feel a bit bad for all the things you did to him.

Everyone likes ND cos it feels so real. You rarely get that feeling these days. Yes there were times I thought, 'Is there a point to this movie'? And really, there was no plot throughout the movie. It didn't follow the traditional 'build up/suspense/shock' rules. The point of the movie only becomes apparent in the last 10 minutes, and you walk away thinking, was all that really necessary to prove a mundane point...yet at the same time you walk away feeling.....did that just really happen (in an oh my god that was great kinda way)? I think it gives the latter feeling because it doesn't really end does it? And the song at the end is so classic it just leaves you with that feeling. I shed a tear at the end to be honest.

Im gonna go buy this now and sit all my friends in a row on the floor in front of the tele and make em watch it.

[Tomcattwist]

Heidigrl, that was a killer post. Very well put and I think you are right. Have Fun Twist

[Cyric the Mad]

Napoleon Dynamite.... the uniquely-funny, one of a kind, and virtually plotless movie that took 23-or-so days to film. For its short filming, this was actually a quite hysterical piece of work.
And even though one can get tired of the pointless quotes of Naploeon spreading through a normal conversation, the actor, John Heder, had the exact amount of Talent for the role.

[heidigrl43434]

Heidigrl, that was a killer post. Very well put and I think you are right. Have Fun Twist

Thanks very much. Im not good at doing reviews or getting my thoughts across, but I found it particularly easy on this one cos as I said, it was just very real...

It hasn't been released in the UK yet, I saw it on an airplane heading to America a few weeks ago. I cant wait for its release here...even if only on DVD....

[The Sarge]

Watched ND at the weekend.... thought the film was superb. laughed all the way through, especially at the part where the theme from The A-Team was playing.

[scissorhands85]

Can anyone tell me the name of the song Napoleon dances to at the end and who sings it, that would be super!

[2wrongs]

Wait!
Wasn't it a Micheal Jackson song? I can't remember...
Nope. It was Canned Heat, by Jamiroquai. Yep. After I looked it up I remember my mom saying that's who it was...

[scissorhands85]

Ya,i found out that it was Jamiroquai, thanks for the help though.

[scissorhands85]

I thought some of you might get a kick out of the fact that I am learning the Napoleon dance sequence for a party this saturday. It was not my choice to do this but I think it will be halarious none the less, IDIOT!

[DnyDko]

yeah, i loved the part when he was telling his brother... or whatever he was... ND was telling his girlfriend that he is learning to dance, and he just chuggs back the drink and spills it down his face... that image just made me laugh alone.

[heidigrl43434]

Can anyone tell me the name of the song Napoleon dances to at the end and who sings it, that would be super!


Its called The Promise by When in Rome - took me ages to find out!

Ta
H

[heidigrl43434]

Can anyone tell me the name of the song Napoleon dances to at the end and who sings it, that would be super!


Oops sorry, I thought you meant the one at the very end when he is doing the ball game with the girl.. yes its canned heat, jamiroquai

[scissorhands85]

thanks heidigrl, welcome to MoFo

[blibblobblib]

I saw this film when iw as in the States a couple of months back. We went in to watch it having no idea what it was about...and we were suprised. it was funny, but it felt like it could have been so much more funny as a comedy sketch or a show, not a feature length film. I also found it drained me a bit. Is this film a spinoff from a comedy sketch somewhere?

[2wrongs]

I also found it drained me a bit. Is this film a spinoff from a comedy sketch somewhere?
Not that I know of.
I thought it was very sincere and unique. It look like the writers of this movie are pretty new at this whole writing/directing thing and I'd say this was a pretty good start. I look forward to seeing more from them.

[blibblobblib]

Id check out another of their films...

[Ezikiel]

Napolean Dynamite was decent, at best. I thought many of Napolean's dumb characteristics weren't very funny, but I did find myself enjoying the second half of the film very much. It wasn't a great film by any means, but it sure was a fun film.

B-

[Mose]

Watched this one last night and thought I'd resurrect the old thread now that it's on DVD.

Jon Heder stars as the tether ball smashing, moon boot wearing, Napoleon Dynamite, a geeky individual who proves once and for all that every dork has his day and that life is difficult, especially for the tragically unique. Our hero’s life is composed of a series of quirky episodic adventures involving friends and family that can only be described as being unlike anything you’ve ever seen before and a must see for anyone looking for something a little different.

[PimpDaShizzle V2.0]

The movies begins by our hero ND throwing an action figure out of the bus' window. It doesn't get any funnier than that. This movie is pure opinion. You like it for some unknown reason or you can cut it up with groovey film lingo. ND rides up on his bike and gets hit in the face by a steak thrown by his uncle. It wasn't that good when I was watchign it but when I looked back I thought it was funnier than poo'.

[moviedvdfreak]

napoleon dynamite is a love hate movie,theres no in between,nobody thinks its just ok,you either love it or you hate it.I loved it,i laughed through the whole thing including a deleted scene on the dvd which i thought was so funny it should of stayed in the film,but my girlfriend was pleading me to turn it off after 30 mins cause she thought it was a horrible movie.im buyin it,its goin into my collection for sure. :furiousdevil:

[Contender]

I love the tired, dusty feel this movie has. You really feel like you're living in a small town in Idaho. Kip steals the movie in my opinion. My only complaint is that the commentary on the DVD is pretty boring.

[hazii82]

I bought the dvd the day it came out i wanted to go to the movies and see it but i never made it to the movies my nephews love that movie they watch it ever time they come over i havent actually sat down and watched the whole movie but what i did watch it was funny in a strange way

[The Taxi Driver]

i think this movie was one of the funniest movies to come out in a while. Napolian and Pedro definitly steal the movie. almost every line they say is hilarious even though its not a funny line just the way they say it is funny. anyone who wants to laugh hysterically i reccomend renting this movie

[Terminator734]

i expected this movie to be stupid and worthless piece of crap so i rented it for the sole reason to bash it but when i turned it on in my friends house i accually found it hilarious and laughed like crazy...



l8r

[GL2814]

I hated this movie. One of the guys raved about this movie. I guess my standards are higher than his. He does only listen to rap music, so that probably cause his low standards. My brother saw the first 30 minutes of it and stopped the movie. I thought it was sooooooo stupid.

[allthatglitters]

Maybe perhaps I liked it because I didn't go expecting a piece of cinematic art or anything. Or maybe because it has become the mantra of my class. Then I realize, Oh wait no...HOLY CRAP! That's how my friends and I talk!. My friend and I had a long discussion about it yesterday and how we feel it caters to a group of kids that are sort of tired of being entertained, and in stead liek to find the entertainment in the entertainment. We talk back to the movie, we randomly start humming theme songs, we make fun of everything! Watching Napoleon Dynamite was fun, because we were watching ourselves.

EDIT: Not to mention our English tecaher (THE BEST EVER) went and bougth a poster for the classroom. She's such a sweetie. We told her that she could drink whole milk if she wanted too.

[Monkeypunch]

I found this movie endlessly irritating. I kept expecting SOMETHING to happen, but it was just one bizzare and random incident after the other, and I just got annoyed. It kind of reminded me of Rushmore, but made by someone who just didn't understand why Rushmore worked. It took all my restraint to not turn this off.

[7thson]

It is kind of hard to explain why I loved this movie, but I will give it a shot. It definitely has an acquired taste, kind of like Okra or maybe fried tomatoes. I cannot really say I identify with anyone in the movie, but at the same time I understand them and why they do what they do; from Uncle Rico to Kip I love the simplistic nature in which the story evolves through the characters. I have heard a few people I know say that the movie tries too hard, but I think is does not try at all which gives it flavor for me. It is what it is, nothing more. The bland humor is wonderful and refreshing at the same time. I can watch this movie over and over again and find myself laughing at the stupidest things. What’s funny is that if you mention a scene in the movie it cannot really be considered a spoiler because to me the movie really goes nowhere, but yet it kindled my emotions in a peculiar way. I have five teenagers in the house and they all loved it, but my Mom didn’t last ten minutes into it and my girlfriend only said “are there really people like this?” I said,” God I hope so.” It is a refreshing story for me, one which proves that originality is not necessarily great, but it sure can be fun.

[LordSlaytan]

Great post, Se7en!

I can understand why you like it, and there's no way to argue with reasoning that is personal like that.

I liked it too and the ending is one of my favorites for its genre.

[Punker69]

One of the worst movies of 2004.Very dissapointing.

[MovieMaker5087]

One of the worst movies of 2004.Very dissapointing.

Heh, everyone has their opinions and everyone's a critic.

[Punker69]

I'm not a critic I just review movies :D

[Deckard]

NAPOLEAN DYNAMITE(8/10)

Napolean Dynamite is an exceptionally awkward teenager. Socially handicapped, with no communication skills and a homelife as eccentric as the film itself. He goes hungry while the rest of the family and even the Llamma eat hearty meals constantly.

Doe eyes that remain almost lifeless, the vacant expression on his face and monotone one word exclamations. Napolean is a well meaning adolescent who cannot express emotion & passion internally or externally.

That is until he discovers dance and finally his body flows and is fluid, emoting raw energy and emotion in its purest form. Expressing himself for the first time to the world and rising above average to show he is unique and special.

The film is itself, unique and certainly not to everyones taste. Minimalistic cinemtography, sound and story create an authenticity or psuedo realism both in what we see and who we meet. The characters dont always behave realistically but they sure as **** aren't the sort of charecters we usually see up on the big screen.

What really sold me though was how the film is all one giant "Anti-stereotype" and as a result every scene holds surprises.

Napolean is a nerd with an average IQ, not a genius. The younger brother beats up the older. Napolean never kisses the girl, the girl doesn't suddenly get a makeover at the end. Napolean is not suddenly popular at the end after he dances. Instead for the films finale (before end credits) we get a poetic indication of hope and that everything will work out fine.

The quirk riddled charecters reflect the different sides of the outsider mentality. Outsiders by circumstance or failure more than by choice. The film gives us all hope and for those with a perfect life (in a bubble) you can laugh at it rather than with it.

For the rest of those out there who didn't dig it thats cool. Me personally, I watch way to much celluloid and am happy to see something that atleast aspires to surprise and delight. Giving me a slice of life outside of what I've lived and at the same time highlighting similarities.

Whoa, that was a mouthful. Thanks for letting throw up verbally its been a while since ive had a chance to post....

[Holden Pike]

Whoa, that was a mouthful. Thanks for letting throw up verbally its been a while since ive had a chance to post....

Deckard! How the Hell you been, man? Glad to see you back, hope you can stay a while.

[Sedai]

Another old school MoFo returns from the ether....Welcome back man. :)

Glad to finally meet you.

[SamsoniteDelilah]

There were two messages in this movie that made it well worth seeing, to me:
1. Find what you do well and do it, no matter what it is.
2. Find the enjoyment in whatever you do.

This is a kid who is beat from the get-go by all recognizeable standards, yet he has a good time anyway. We like him, anyway. He is his "tragically unique" self and that's 100x more refreshing then the best impersonation he could do of someone cool.. or even normal.

[Mose]

There were two messages in this movie that made it well worth seeing, to me:
1. Find what you do well and do it, no matter what it is.
2. Find the enjoyment in whatever you do.

This is a kid who is beat from the get-go by all recognizeable standards, yet he has a good time anyway. We like him, anyway. He is his "tragically unique" self and that's 100x more refreshing then the best impersonation he could do of someone cool.. or even normal.

Wow... I'm being quoted now, and not just in a reply :) You see, I'm like that annoying song that gets stuck in your head... You just can't get rid of me ;)

As for Napoleon, what I loved about him is that he was an outsider who didn't care... As you say, he has a blast and doesn't try to fit in and be 'cool'. Now I just have to find a pair of moon boots :)

[SamsoniteDelilah]

Wow... I'm being quoted now, and not just in a reply :) You see, I'm like that annoying song that gets stuck in your head... You just can't get rid of me ;)

As for Napoleon, what I loved about him is that he was an outsider who didn't care... As you say, he has a blast and doesn't try to fit in and be 'cool'. Now I just have to find a pair of moon boots :)
That was an awesome phrase. :) A friend of mine uses the term "authentically different" for similar circumstances. Priceless.

[Mose]

Yeah, people always used to tell me I was weird until my aunt explained to me I was simply unique :)

Queue the Fight Club quotes (You are not a beautiful or unique snowflake)

[Deckard]

Thanxs for the love in the room..........I will try and be by more often...

[hazii82]

great movie

[LordSlaytan]

...I'm like that annoying song that gets stuck in your head... You just can't get rid of me ;)Moeee...STANZA!!!

I liked Napolean Dynamite quite a bit...I ain't no hater.

[trotskyist]

i for one loved ND. and kip is just hilarious. There seemed to be a pattern emerging whenever i watched this film. I watched a few times because my friends hadnt seen it and they all wanted to. But it seemed that those of my friends that have shorter attention spans really didnt last. while i and my other mates laughed our arses off.

[zebulon1]

The reason people who don't like Napoleon Dynamite don't like it is because subtlety has been destroyed for them entirely by a movie industry hell bent on feeding people a crack-cocaine form of filmmaking/product... they can't get "high" on anything subtle, they've burnt out their receptors for the subtle and sublime.

ND is the essence, if not a new manual, on subtle. Even though throughout the film one could argue that its rudaments are too exaggerated and blatant, that doesn't mean it wasn't subtle. ND had a collision of three factors at once -- lost culture, stagnant culture and no culture. Napoleon himself is like a life-seed of change (heck yes!) into a vaccuous Idaho hellhole of mediocrity and sameness. A lot of people thought this movie was set in the 80s. It's not. The opening DVD titles show Napoleons own school ID for the year 2004-5. Uncle Rico is "stuck" living in '82, psychologically. In fact, the whole town is stuck in the 80s. Napoleon represents the "Angus" (another good film) factor, the deformity in the midst of conformity that, if it fight back and refuses to be absorbed, can actually cause a super-culture to arise. All your wildest dreams will come true... if you vote for Pedro. Which is a vote for Napoleon, a vote for change, a vote for destroying mediocrity from within, by a germ process... however weak and unformed as it may be. However subtle it may be. Once Napoleon invokes the total black funk boogie dance into the bloodstream of this High School rotting away under the effects of "sameness" and status quo, the universe turns upside down and the wildest dreams come true (notice the difference in Deb's appearance at and post-dance). Pedro becomes president, and his eyes tell us his aspirations don't stop there. Uncle Rico gets is girl back. Tina finally gets fed by someone who loves her. Napoleon catches a delicious bass for Deb. Kip merges with LaFawnduh shattering all potential barriers.

I think ND is a lot deeper than people give it credit. People who don't want or like deep won't care anyway, both those who enjoy the analysis of film will see it, even if they aren't particularly enamoured with it as a movie. It's not a "great comedy," its not intended to be.

I doubt if the makers ever imagined people would be laughing to the point of tears over simple phrases like "Luckyyyyyy!" or "Eat your FOOD!" People are reacting to the tone in Napoleons voice more than what he's saying. That tone is something they can resonate with -- dissatisfaction.

Napoleon is utterly, tragically, painfully bored with everyday mundanity, and so are we. His sighs and moans of pain are quite real, and it's what we'd all do if we were as emotionally sound as Napoleon. I argue that ND is a superhero fantasy, where the super hero comes from out of nowhere to revolutionize life for himself and everyone else, with just a few simple modifications to the existing system. Just enough to where some of the happiness being horded by the status quo robots of the system gets more evenly spread around.

I think by and large the people that hate this movie are people who don't realize that what was missing in ND is what they've been spoonfed in every "alternative" film for the past 20 years and are now addicted to, and that's melancholy, defaming of a deity or corruption of innocence or purity, strings of profanity (profanity has its place, of course -- Glenn Gary Glenn Ross/ex), things exploding in 200 foot balls of fire, sick undercurrents of despair without resolution, maniacal vengence and maybe most of all, simple humanity.

There's a scene that sums it all up. Deb, Pedro and Napoleon are standing looking at the dance floor. They form a wall in pale blue light, totally still, against the contrast of the warm reds and yellows and movement of the people dancing. They are utterly cut off, in the darkness, though allowed, permissively, to participate. But they don't really belong there and they know it. And all that is about to change, with Napoleon Dynamite. He is dynamite that is set to go off and knock that wall down, and bring dynamic change.

ND is a masterpiece of filmmaking.
*PS: if you have a home theatre system for good sound, the DVD has excellent sound digitization. The musical parts just rip right out and your subwoofer will bounce like crazy, and yet, not at the expense of normal vocal sections like many DVD dolby implications. VERY impressive effect.

VOTE FOR PEDRO! :)

[PimpDaShizzle V2.0]

I'm getting the impression this film was so subtle it's allowed people to see what they want. Kind of like looking at a blank canvas which would allow you to see whatever you want. And calling the movie a masterpiece has got to be an overkill but to each his/her own.

I'll add that I really enjoyed this movie. Even more so when I smoke a big'ol'blunt wit' da' homies. Booya.

[zebulon1]

I'm getting the impression this film was so subtle it's allowed people to see what they want.

Yo Pimp. PRECISELY. By no means am I suggesting the filmmakers are supergeniuses who masterminded an epic comedy. I think they just made a simple film about a simple idea and simple people, and most can't deal with that. But many times when artists set out to do something subtle they find they've inadvertently tapped into a very pure stream of subconscious truths, symbolisms and archetypes... it takes on a sort of "Fisher-Price Jungian dialect" we call can speak -- but can't explain.

Absolutely, you can see what you want in it because its a plumbable movie. Sometimes when things are spelled out in sheer rudaments, the higher math of the thing is easier to extract. This movie has NO distractions from that potential.

And yes, smokin' a big spliff helps, too :) Now go make yersef' a dang Quessa'dilla and feed Tina!

[PimpDaShizzle V2.0]

But many times when artists set out to do something subtle they find they've inadvertently tapped into a very pure stream of subconscious truths, symbolisms and archetypes... it takes on a sort of "Fisher-Price Jungian dialect" we call can speak -- but can't explain.
I see what you're saying and I agree. I found myself filling in backstory and motivation when in fact there was no reason to. It's a movie that means something different to each individual that's willing to play along. To me it was all about friendship.
And yes, smokin' a big spliff helps, too :) Now go make yersef' a dang Quessa'dilla and feed Tina!
TINA come get your food!

[Mose]

I've watched this one three or four times now, mainly b/c friends haven't seen it yet and demand I put it in... It just keeps getting funnier every time I watch. It's amazing how often we quote this movie at work. Lately we've been using Kip's immortal "You're mom goes to college line" :)

[Shadow Otaga]

yea the movie keeps suckin me back in, i saw it by myself first, then with parents, then with brother, then with friend, then wit hfriends parent. And i gets better every time :)

[suppression]

The first time I ever saw this movie, I thought it was by far the dumbest, driest, least funny film I had seen in a long time. My room mate, who worships the movie (especially the opening credits), shoved it down my throat just after he moved into my dorm.

However, as he kept playing it over and over again, it got funnier and funnier each time (oddly, I had the same reaction to Oh, Brother Where Art Thou?). So, now I very much enjoy the flick, though I still have the same problem with it now that I did the very 1st time I watched it: I wanted to kill Napoleon!

Let me elaborate on that: Back in high school, I knew a guy who acted JUST LIKE NAPOLEON in that he was arrogant, he was always lashing out at people who made innocent comments to him, and was a social outcast. Now, most people wouldn't have anything to do with this kid, but, as I used to be something of a social outcast myself, had too much pity for the kid to kick him to the curve, and he proceeded to make HS a living hell. Watching Napoleon's behavior reminded me too much of my HS nemisis and made me wish I was meaner person.

[MysticalMoose]

Yeah I disliked it initially, but with that scene where napolean dances, awesome, I am starting to warm up to this movie.

[zebulon1]

Has anyone noticed the intense Mormon imagery and influence in the film? Not only was it made by Mormons, Jon Heder (Napoleon) is a mormon. I missed this entirely in my first 12 or so viewings. But now its very evident. In addition to the spartan environment and super-clean living surrounding Napoleon in this town, and the total lack of dirty words or sex in this movie, you never see anyone drink coffee or cola... only fruit juice and milk. There's never any even slightly risque clothing worn by anyone, even characters where it might work (Lafawnduh, for example). The most 'sexual' part of the movie is Kip and LaFawnduh playing "footsie" under the park bench while sharing a strawberry shake. Napoleon and Deb dance with the required "one whole person between them" distance as required by the church. When Uncle Rico and Kip go out to sell the super-polymer tupperware, they are dressed just like Mormon door-to-door missionaries. At the end, when uncle Rico gets his girl back, she comes riding up on a bike (no less... lots and lots of bikes in this movie) dressed in Mormon missionary attire -- white top, black skirt... likewise, out of the blue, Uncle Rico is wearing a white shirt and black pants, no longer wearing the tacky blue slacks and Lost In Space-style pullover top. Napoleon wears a Tshirt featuring the name of one of the largest Mormon universities in Idaho. I don't know if it's true or not, but someone told me the book of Mormon mentions "ligers" -- a cross between a lion and a tiger. Pedro appears to be the one real outsider in every way; mexican and super-catholic, even suggesting in his speech that the hallways of the school needed 'holy santos' (idols of the saints) to protect them. It's curious that the song Canned Heat by Jamiroquai -- which Napoleon dances to -- is religiously off beat, about a person going to hell...

"I used to put my faith in worship,
I let my chance for heaven slip,
I used to worry about the future,
But then I throw my caution to the wind,
I had no reason to be care free,
No no no, until I took a trip to the other side of town...
I feel the thunder see the lightning,
I know this anger's heaven sent...
Stuck between hell and high water
I need a cure to make it through...
Hey- dancing nothing left for me to do but dance
Off these bad times I'm going through just dance..."

[PimpDaShizzle V2.0]

Has anyone noticed the intense Mormon imagery and influence in the film? Not only was it made by Mormons, Jon Heder (Napoleon) is a mormon. I missed this entirely in my first 12 or so viewings. But now its very evident. In addition to the spartan environment and super-clean living surrounding Napoleon in this town, and the total lack of dirty words or sex in this movie, you never see anyone drink coffee or cola... only fruit juice and milk. There's never any even slightly risque clothing worn by anyone, even characters where it might work (Lafawnduh, for example). The most 'sexual' part of the movie is Kip and LaFawnduh playing "footsie" under the park bench while sharing a strawberry shake. Napoleon and Deb dance with the required "one whole person between them" distance as required by the church. When Uncle Rico and Kip go out to sell the super-polymer tupperware, they are dressed just like Mormon door-to-door missionaries. At the end, when uncle Rico gets his girl back, she comes riding up on a bike (no less... lots and lots of bikes in this movie) dressed in Mormon missionary attire -- white top, black skirt... likewise, out of the blue, Uncle Rico is wearing a white shirt and black pants, no longer wearing the tacky blue slacks and Lost In Space-style pullover top. Napoleon wears a Tshirt featuring the name of one of the largest Mormon universities in Idaho. I don't know if it's true or not, but someone told me the book of Mormon mentions "ligers" -- a cross between a lion and a tiger. Pedro appears to be the one real outsider in every way; mexican and super-catholic, even suggesting in his speech that the hallways of the school needed 'holy santos' (idols of the saints) to protect them. It's curious that the song Canned Heat by Jamiroquai -- which Napoleon dances to -- is religiously off beat, about a person going to hell...

"I used to put my faith in worship,
I let my chance for heaven slip,
I used to worry about the future,
But then I throw my caution to the wind,
I had no reason to be care free,
No no no, until I took a trip to the other side of town...
I feel the thunder see the lightning,
I know this anger's heaven sent...
Stuck between hell and high water
I need a cure to make it through...
Hey- dancing nothing left for me to do but dance
Off these bad times I'm going through just dance..."

What about when Uncle Rico is selling breast enlargers? What about Napoleon's fascination with mystical powers? That's a big no-no for mormons. I think you're focusing on the similarities and not looking at the big picture.

[zebulon1]

What about when Uncle Rico is selling breast enlargers? What about Napoleon's fascination with mystical powers? That's a big no-no for mormons. I think you're focusing on the similarities and not looking at the big picture.

Well, I may be really nuts, but I see Uncle Rico as a wayward sheep... he's 'backslidden'... and at the end, we see him dressed like a Mormon missionary with his girlfriend coming back to him. Mormons aren't perfect, they have a lot of strange holes in their religious culture -- and speaking of mysticism, Mormons are very involved in mysticisms. This is a bunch who believes they are all little 'Jehovah's' in the making and will someday create whole universes and rule over them. I just think there was ample mormon influence in the movie, and from the interviews I've now read with directors and Jon Heder, seems I'm right --- maybe not to the extent I'm speaking about, I might be seeing more than is there, but they say it definitely influenced the movie. This is their life/lifestyle and culture, there's bound to be a lot subsconsciously bleeding through and even they don't realize it.

[PimpDaShizzle V2.0]

Well, I may be really nuts, but I see Uncle Rico as a wayward sheep... he's 'backslidden'... and at the end, we see him dressed like a Mormon missionary with his girlfriend coming back to him. Mormons aren't perfect, they have a lot of strange holes in their religious culture -- and speaking of mysticism, Mormons are very involved in mysticisms. This is a bunch who believes they are all little 'Jehovah's' in the making and will someday create whole universes and rule over them. I just think there was ample mormon influence in the movie, and from the interviews I've now read with directors and Jon Heder, seems I'm right --- maybe not to the extent I'm speaking about, I might be seeing more than is there, but they say it definitely influenced the movie. This is their life/lifestyle and culture, there's bound to be a lot subsconsciously bleeding through and even they don't realize it.
I'll just say that you're right before your avatar sends me to hell.

Seriously though, if the creaters were mormon more than likely some of that would indeed come through in their content. Fo' Sho'.

[Sexy Celebrity]

I watched an hour of this movie today. It's funny in a weird way, which I like, but kinda pointless. I'll speak more once I've finished it.

[Piddzilla]

Yesterday I saw I Heart Huckabees which I kind of liked but it got me thinking that there's almost this genre of "Rushmorefilms". I first thought so as well when I started to watch Napoleon Dynamite but I let that go pretty quickly because I don't think the film is trying to be smarter than it really is. And unlike Garden State, for instance, I actually laughed at many of the things that were supposed to be funny. I also liked the characters who, although they're caricatures, aren't that unrealistic. Napoleon actually reminds me a lot of a friend of mine, or to be more precise, he's a mix between a couple of friends of mine (but especially one). At the same time I can understand that people don't like it, just like I didn't care much for Garden State that lots of people just love. I know Holden called it "hollow". I wouldn't say that. Simple in a way, but in a good way, but not hollow.

[Escape]

I paid 19 bucks for that movie and almost cried after viewing it. For my moula that is. :bawling:

[Iroquois]

Strange. So very, very strange.

[UrgeOverkill]

Napolean Dyamite is funny in a different way. It's the type of funny that comes from deep inside--ii's almost like a dry slapstick-- the movie is understated humor-which is harder to pull off that exaggeration.

[flann]

I am so confused on why so many people liked this movie. For a week I heard from all females "Oh my god! Did you see napolean dynamite?". My response: "What the hell is napolean dynamite?". So I paid my lost 6 dollars and saw the movie. For a comedy its a shame that a man rarely cracks a smile. My standards are set high of course, but honestly, does anyone else know that this movie even exists, and if so, enjoyed it?

I would have to agree with ya. I thought this movie lacked entertaining value. I thought it was so bad, I actually turned it off an hour into it.

[John_Doe]

I am so confused on why so many people liked this movie. For a week I heard from all females "Oh my god! Did you see napolean dynamite?". My response: "What the hell is napolean dynamite?". So I paid my lost 6 dollars and saw the movie. For a comedy its a shame that a man rarely cracks a smile. My standards are set high of course, but honestly, does anyone else know that this movie even exists, and if so, enjoyed it?
It is your fault for having high standards then goign to see a move with absouatly no plot and a waste of tim eand money

[Yoda]

It is your fault for having high standards then goign to see a move with absouatly no plot and a waste of tim eand money
It's not his "fault" at all. The film received mostly favorable reviews and had strong word-of-mouth.

[7thson]

That is because it was a good movie. Funnier than stale bread it is...:D :) ;)

[Austruck]

I still think it's just hilarious, so there. I didn't discover the whole last post-credits scene at the end till about the third viewing, so that was a fun discovery.

I found myself laughing most at some of the less obvious stuff. Subtle works well for me: the weird semi-'80s hairstyles on the girls, Uncle checking his biceps in the fast-food joint. Little touches like that just have me howling every time I watch that movie.

It might be a case of tastes, though. I know a few people who otherwise have great senses of humor (admirably so) who disliked or even hated movies like "Raising Arizona." That totally floors me, but I guess it's possible. I try not to hold it against them. :D

[moviemaker3191]

it sucked so0 many people kept saying that it was awsome and funny and that if you dont see it than your stupid and i still refused to see it and than my sister sat me down and made me watch it and it was awful i didnt laugh once it had no plot oh wait it did have a plot the plot was it had no plot and now their going to make a sequal god someone save me what happened to good movies

[Holden Pike]

it sucked so0 many people kept saying that it was awsome and funny and that if you dont see it than your stupid and i still refused to see it and than my sister sat me down and made me watch it and it was awful i didnt laugh once it had no plot oh wait it did have a plot the plot was it had no plot and now their going to make a sequal god someone save me what happened to good movies

Well, at least proper English usage and sentence structure are alive and well!

[SamsoniteDelilah]

Napolean Dyamite is funny in a different way. It's the type of funny that comes from deep inside--ii's almost like a dry slapstick-- the movie is understated humor-which is harder to pull off that exaggeration.
Bingo. It's a film about absurdity in real life. It's a very close look at a person most of us would blow past every day and never notice. And it holds up normalcy as something attractive, which is pretty rare at the movies. I thought it was very funny, but then I'm prone to appreciating absurdity. It's unavoidable, so you might as well enjoy it, right?

[Thursday Next]

Well, the first time I watched it I thought it was lame. My husband loved it, however, and made me watch it again, and I found it much funnier the second time. Yes, it's stupid, Napoleon is not an entirely sympathetic character and the kookiness is kind of self-conscious. But it is funny.

[Austruck]

it sucked so0 many people kept saying that it was awsome and funny and that if you dont see it than your stupid and i still refused to see it and than my sister sat me down and made me watch it and it was awful i didnt laugh once it had no plot oh wait it did have a plot the plot was it had no plot and now their going to make a sequal god someone save me what happened to good movies

I was just going to ask the same thing about good punctuation.

[thefreedvds]

I really thought this movie was awful. I don't see why people love it so much. I really hope that new movie they are coming out with flops.

[SamsoniteDelilah]

Hoping a movie flops?
Aren't you just a little ray of sunshine.

[thefreedvds]

Hoping a movie flops?
Aren't you just a little ray of sunshine.

Haha, sorry I just really thought that Napolean Dynamite was awful and I don't think i can stand another movie like it to become popular and hear everyone reciting the terrible lines from the movie

[7thson]

Why? Wouldnt it be better if more movies were good and you could try to make more money on a lame spam site?

[thefreedvds]

Wouldn't it be better if you just stopped following me around???

[jrs]

I really hope that new movie they are coming out with flops.

If you're talking about The Benchwarmers, it was alright.

Read my Napolean Dynamite Review (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showpost.php?p=163370&postcount=1)

[thefreedvds]

I was actually talking about Nacho Libre with Jack Black.

[jrs]

I was actually talking about Nacho Libre with Jack Black.
Oh, because when mentioning ND and then "the other movie", it made me think of the movie also starring Jarod Hess

[thefreedvds]

Yea, sorry for the confusion. Nothing against him as an actor. Just didn't like his or his brothers writing for the movie. I thought the jokes were all really lame.

[Captain Driftwood]

Napolean Dynamite is a novelty film, and soon that appeal will wear off. Some say it will go down as one of the great cult comedy classics of all time. That is complete BS. This mind numbing waste of 90 minutes should have been boycotted by those of us with taste and still functioning brain cells. John Heder is not the problem with this film. He is quite funny in his supporting roles in Just Like Heaven and The Benchwarmers. The problem with this film is lack of any motivation at all. It moves like a snail and the dry and depressing attempts at humor fall short of even recieving a snicker. You cannot relate to any of the characters in this film, because they do not represent anyone or anything. Napolean Dynamite will go down in history, as the least significant motion picture of all time. Brutal honesty, it is what I do best.

[Yoda]

Napolean Dynamite is a novelty film, and soon that appeal will wear off. Some say it will go down as one of the great cult comedy classics of all time. That is complete BS. This mind numbing waste of 90 minutes should have been boycotted by those of us with taste and still functioning brain cells. John Heder is not the problem with this film. He is quite funny in his supporting roles in Just Like Heaven and The Benchwarmers. The problem with this film is lack of any motivation at all. It moves like a snail and the dry and depressing attempts at humor fall short of even recieving a snicker. You cannot relate to any of the characters in this film, because they do not represent anyone or anything. Napolean Dynamite will go down in history, as the least significant motion picture of all time. Brutal honesty, it is what I do best.
It's a comedy. I don't need an emotional connection with Napoleon flippin' Dynamite. This isn't Hamlet; he doesn't need "motivation."

[Captain Driftwood]

Regardless of the genre, at least being able to relate to the characters a little bit helps and overall makes the viewing experience more satisfying.

[Austruck]

Boy, now I feel like a total nerd. I could relate to some of these deliberately-overblown characters. I won't even hazard a guess as to what that says about me. :)

[Yoda]

I found the viewing experience plenty satisfying in that it greatly fulfilled my desire to laugh. I think being able to relate to the characters in a given movie is, on the whole, a good thing, but there are certainly exceptions to this, and over-the-top comedies often qualify.

That said, I've spent some scattered bits of time in small, rural towns, and they certainly nailed the general feeling of idleness and the mild desperation for entertainment.

[Captain Driftwood]

I can certainly understand where you are coming from, I apologize if I came off sounding like an ass.

[Yoda]

Oh, no, nothing like that. You're perfectly entitled to your opinion. I just happen to disagree in this instance. No big deal. :) Don't let our style here throw you off; it often sounds more confrontational than it is.

[screentoclose]

an OKAY movie at best.

[Rockoutlaw]

i have too agree with mysticalmoose i had a bunch of my kids friends around talking about this and then they rented it. i have never seen a movie worse than this one and i have seen a bunch of them most people would agree are horrible. i wish i could sue the company that made this film for the loss of time that i wasted watching this when i could have been watching grass grow and enjoyed it more

[ross]

IMO, it's the worst movie ever! maybe cause it's so classic comedy or something!

[bleacheddecay]

I am so confused on why so many people liked this movie. For a week I heard from all females "Oh my god! Did you see napolean dynamite?". My response: "What the hell is napolean dynamite?". So I paid my lost 6 dollars and saw the movie. For a comedy its a shame that a man rarely cracks a smile. My standards are set high of course, but honestly, does anyone else know that this movie even exists, and if so, enjoyed it?

I heard so much about this movie being good. I saw the T shirts. I wondered.

So eventually when it was free I got it. The kids and I were pretty shocked at how bad it was. We all felt we had wasted our time.

This just goes to show what the public will pay for and rave about is not always or even usually what some of us care for.

I did like the dance sequence and one or two of the oft repeated lines but that was about it.

[Austruck]

I saw it before it was getting all the hype, and I was surprised in the opposite direction -- how hilarious it was. And, for me, it still is.

But, even while watching it, I thought of certain people I know who would NOT find it funny, despite the fact that we get along well and share similar senses of humor. My parents both have good senses of humor (which is where I got mine), but I know they wouldn't "get" this movie at all.

It is definitely a love-it-or-hate-it movie.

[Movie_watcher_18]

i love this movie!! its part of my dvd collection

there are only 2 ppl in my family who like it-me and my cousin (we also like Bubba Hotep)

Napolean Dynamite is a random movie-and thats what makes it so funny

[m0dern_pr0phet]

You have to look past the fact that the movie really doesn't go far in terms of plots and climaxes but really the characters in Napolean were so genius they were enough to gain interest and humour.

[Movie_watcher_18]

know why i like this movie----cuz its REAL

[bleacheddecay]

know why i like this movie----cuz its REAL

Thankfully, I can say it isn't real for me. If it were I'd be even deeper into fantasy than I already am.

[Movie_watcher_18]

what i mean is that its not like all Hollywood( the dance,it was in the gym, a hollywood movie they would like rent out a dance hall, spend lots of money etc)

[bleacheddecay]

what i mean is that its not like all Hollywood( the dance,it was in the gym, a hollywood movie they would like rent out a dance hall, spend lots of money etc)

Oh. That's not what I thought you meant. It's an interesting POV though.

[Movie_watcher_18]

its like taking a camera and filiming everyday people

the writers or whatever, when napolean and his brother fought, thats how the two writers fought(they were brothers

[Unbroken]

You wanted napolean to smile?

.....deadpan?


Naked gun?
Airplane?

Classics yes?

[Movie_watcher_18]

Haha, sorry I just really thought that Napolean Dynamite was awful and I don't think i can stand another movie like it to become popular and hear everyone reciting the terrible lines from the movie

what does i matter to if they make another 1

if U dont want to see. then dont watch it

simple as that

[hotmamabrew]

The first time we saw this movie, my husband and I had to force ourselves to finish the movie."Oh what a waste of time that was" we said....then we found ourselves quoting the movie and chuckling. So the next day we watched it again and absolutely cracked up. This movie has become quite a cult classic. I highly recommend watching it again...it's hilarious....

I am so confused on why so many people liked this movie. For a week I heard from all females "Oh my god! Did you see napolean dynamite?". My response: "What the hell is napolean dynamite?". So I paid my lost 6 dollars and saw the movie. For a comedy its a shame that a man rarely cracks a smile. My standards are set high of course, but honestly, does anyone else know that this movie even exists, and if so, enjoyed it?

[rockergyrl]

My old roomate in college made me see the movie a year and a half ago and at first I was like....wft! Then after I watched it with her more than once I actually started to laugh at it! It is funny

[legallyblonde]

Im sorry but i disliked that film. There was really no point to it. It was in some points funny but my brother even called it brainwash t.v.