Napoleon Dynamite is the poster-boy for dysfunctional American high school nerds. He lives with his grandmother and his chatroom-obsessed elder brother in the backwaters of the American Mid-West. But when Grandma ends up in hospital after a quad bike accident, he is left in the care of his ... Read review
Napoleon Dynamite is a new kind of hero, complete with a tight 'fro, sweet moon boots, and ... more
skills that can't be topped. Napoleon spends his days drawing mythical beasts, duking it out with his brother Kip and avoiding his scheming Uncle Rico. When two ...
He's out to prove he's got nothing to prove. From Preston Idaho comes Napoleon Dynamite ... more
(Jon Heder) a new kind of hero complete with a tight red 'fro some sweet moon boots and skills that can't be topped. Napoleon lives with his Grandma (Sandy Mar...
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Pulled from the hit film that made a hero out of a tetherball-loving guy with glasses and ... more
stellar dance moves the words phrases and speeches in "Napoleon Dynamite: The Complete Quote Book" capture the hilarious dialogue that worked its way into the hearts and mouths of millions of fans. Quirky comical and yet somehow perfect for any situation the lines included here are sure to inspire exasperated sighs bizarre conversations and awkward exchanges in homes schools and workplaces across the country. Sweet!
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Your wildest dreams just came true - here's a laugh-out-loud look at the world of Napoleon ... more
Dynamite in Like, the Best Special Edition Ever! This all-new 2-disc set is more fun than a barrel of ligers: follow your heart with two outrageous audio commentaries; feed your inner llama with behind-the-scenes footage; reach for the stars with brand-new documentaries and more!Meet the pride of Idaho. The man with no plan. A nerd undeterred. He's Napoleon Dynamite, and thanks to his special skills and new friends, Pedro and Deb, life at Preston High School will never be the same. Now if only he can survive life at home with his idiot brother, Kip, and scheming Uncle Rico. Are you ready to get your groove on? Yessssss!
Your wildest reams just came true - here's a laugh-out-loud look at the world of Napoleon ... more
Dynamite in Like, the best Special Edition Ever! This all-new 2-disc set is more fun than a barrel of ligers: follow your heart with two outrageous audio commentaries; feed your inner Ilama with behind-the-scenes footage; reach for the stars with brand-new documentaries and more!Meet the pride of Idaho. The man with no plan. A nerd undeterred. He's Napoleon Dynamite, and thanks to his special skills and new friends, Pedro and Deb, life at Preston High School will never be the same. Now if only he can survive life at home with his idiot brother, Kip, and scheming Uncle Rico. Are you ready to get your groove on? Yesssss!
Comedy - Director: Richard Boden, Mandie Fletcher, Martin Shardlow - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Hugh Laurie, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry, Brian Blessed, Tim McInnerny, Tony Robinson, Rowan Atkinson
Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring: Christopher Ettridge, Victor McGuire, Emma Amos, Nicholas Lyndhurst, Elizabeth Carling
Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Tessa Peake-Jones, Buster Merryfield, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst
Advantages: A fantastic central performance and lots of sly gags Disadvantages: Loses focus in the final half hour
Napoleon Dynamite is the poster-boy for dysfunctional American high school nerds. He lives with his grandmother and his chatroom-obsessed elder brother in the backwaters of the American Mid-West. But when Grandma ends up in hospital after a quad bike accident, he is left in the care of his barmy Uncle Rico. So he’s got more on his mind than the usual teenage pre-occupations of girls, time travel and dairy cows…
Writer/director Jared ... ...Ruell, who shows us what Napoleon threatens to become; a middle-aged man still living at home and only capable of having a relationship with a woman over the internet. His transformation from ultimate accountant type to gangsta rapper is one of the highlights of the film, mainly because it’s played so poker-faced.
Efren Ramirez plays Napoleon’s best (and only) friend Pedro like Speedy Gonzales on mogadon. A guy who’s so laid-back because ... more
Napoleon Dynamite is the poster-boy for dysfunctional American high school nerds. He lives with his grandmother and his chatroom-obsessed elder brother in the backwaters of the American Mid-West. But when Grandma ends up in hospital after a quad bike accident, he is left in the care of his barmy Uncle Rico. So he’s got more on his mind than the usual teenage pre-occupations of girls, time travel and dairy cows…
Writer/director Jared Hess has struck comedy gold with this cruelly comic tale of the ultimate loner striving for acceptance. Initially it avoids the normal high school movie pitfalls by making the titular hero very difficult to like and by causing the audience to laugh at him rather than with him. It runs out of steam somewhat after the first hour and falls back on the traditional prom night clichés, but there’s still plenty to enjoy here. Set in the madlands of Middle America, the film exists in a 1980s time-warp. All the girls wear big puffy-sleeved dresses to the prom and everybody drives a van or a pick-up truck. The whole place is populated by slack-jawed oddballs that makes “American Gothic” look like “Coronation Street”. These include farmers that shotgun cows in front of a busload of children, thrill-seeking, llama-farming grannies, members of the American equivalent of the Young Farmers’ Association who win medals for pointing out that a cow has an extra teat and fish-out-of-water Hispanic gangsters that cruise the plains roads in their low-rider. That the film is set in the director’s hometown of Preston, Idaho suggests he won’t be too popular with the locals when he goes to visit his family.
Jon Heder gives a pitch-perfect and scarily convincing performance as the eponymous Napoleon. He plays him as a slack-jawed, ginger afro’d chinless wonder, who barely opens his eyes and speaks in a flat monotone, regardless of how he feels. His explanation of what girls find attractive is hilarious because it’s so outlandishly wide of the mark. He doesn’t walk so much as shamble from place to place and doesn’t help his cause with his gravity boots and interchangeable airbrush art T-shirts. He has the standard teenage attitude – that life is crap, nobody cares and that adults don’t understand, which may be why he seems so damned furtive all the time. And to be fair, in his case he’s probably right. His relationship with would-be girlfriend Deb is as awkward as those first teenage romances are wont to be. It’s a refreshing change from the smooth-running, aesthetically perfect high school relationships we are usually subjected to.
Napoleon’s brother Kip is played with nerdy precision by Aaron Ruell, who shows us what Napoleon threatens to become; a middle-aged man still living at home and only capable of having a relationship with a woman over the internet. His transformation from ultimate accountant type to gangsta rapper is one of the highlights of the film, mainly because it’s played so poker-faced.
Efren Ramirez plays Napoleon’s best (and only) friend Pedro like Speedy Gonzales on mogadon. A guy who’s so laid-back because he hasn’t the energy to be anything more dynamic. He drifts into friendship with Napoleon and Deb just as he drifts into running for class president against popular girl Summer, giving the impression that he’s not that bothered about anything. His hangdog expression is constant as he sweats and slouches his way through his misadventures.
The object of the boys’ affections is played by former child star Tina Majorino, who has previously starred with seals and Kevin Costner. Deb is the sort of girl everyone ignores, being neither exceptionally pretty nor terribly interesting. She tries to make money for college by taking tacky portrait photos and selling keyrings door-to-door. She is the most human of the characters, seeming vulnerable and eager to please.
Jon Gries excels as Napoloen’s distinctly odd Uncle Rico; a man permanently stuck in 1982, who constantly films himself lobbing American footballs about in search of the perfect throwing action, makes a living from selling Tupperware from his orange minivan and is a constant source of embarrassment to his youngest nephew. It is a bizarre, yet riveting character study of a man unable to let go of the past, from the impossibly tight bri-nylon trousers to the porn star moustache, perma-tan and gold signet ring. And boy is he sleazy…
The soundtrack adds to the confusion about when the movie is set, by incorporating all manner of 80s tat, from “Time After Time” to “Forever Young”, some very 90s dance music and Jamiroquai’s “Canned Heat” in a sequence that will either have you squirming or cheering.
This is an enjoyable film that hinges on a great central performance from a latter day Adrian Mole figure. It is through Heder’s performance alone that the film overcomes its disappointingly upbeat ending to no doubt become another cult classic. He and the writers have created one of the most distinctive and strange heroes to have graced the big screen. And though he may not be the most likeable of chaps, you can’t help but root for him in the end. It’s an odd film that I liked, but for what precise reason I can’t explain. Suffice to say that if you can get your head around the mixture of slapstick and surrealism (Napoleon being hit in the face by a flying steak or being electrocuted by a bogus time machine) this is a film that will leave you perplexed, amused and strangely uplifted. It’s a short sortie into the hinterlands of the United States of the Absurd and one that’s worth the journey. Go with your sense of irony engaged and without your friends from the backwaters of America. They might not think it’s so funny…
Advantages: Gives you good warm feeling inside Disadvantages: Some of your friends will hate it
...story of a teenager called Napoleon Dynamite. He's socially awkward and probably a bit autistic and to be honest that's the film more or less in a nutshell. The film takes place over a short period of Napoleon's life while at school where everybody is socially awkward. There are some shots of a Jock as he gurns away which makes him just as geeky as Napoleon. Even the beautiful girls in the school show moments of insecurity and clumsiness. It shows ... ...the Mexican new student that Napoleon looks after and befriends is as socially inept as Napoleon, but does actually have a little success with women, because he'll take that extra step that Napoleon doesn't. But my hat goes off to Gries for playing the uncle who in his own words is still stuck in 1982. It's thins kind of quirky detail that makes this such an excellent film.
Napoleon lives in a fantasy world where he tells people that he knows dangerous ...
bumbybumbum 23.09.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Napoleon Dynamite (DVD)
Advantages: Some great and memorable scenes, great acting, very funny, the best dance scene ever Disadvantages: Takesa a couple of viewings to 'get in to it'
...and directed by Jared Hess Napoleon Dynamite was released back in December 2004.
****Story line****
Napoleon Dynamite (Jon Heder) is a typical teenage misfit. Because of his geeky appearance and dress sense, eccentric behaviour, love for weird things and fabricating his life style Napoleon is the least popular boy at school. Napoleon’s weird ways are hardly surprising given his home life. Napoleon lives with his (even more eccentric) grandmother ... ...arrives, Pedro (Efren Ramirez), and Napoleon takes it upon himself to help him run for class president. The pair have some strange encounters along the way and end up falling for the same girl, Debs (Tina Majorino), resulting in a bit of a love triangle.
Does Grandma recover and return home to look after the boys? Does Uncle Rico realise his life is going nowhere? Does Pedro make class president? Who wins the heart of Debs?
****Other characters****
...
yackers1 07.03.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Napoleon Dynamite (DVD)
Advantages: Quirky, interesting characters, some funny moments, good performance from Jon Heder Disadvantages: Not everyone will 'get' it/Wont appeal to everyone, the end is perhaps a little predictable
- Introduction -
Napoleon Dynamite is an MTV movie that was released a few years ago. Having seen shows like Daria before, I heard this was a similar thing, only a movie and that it was a bit of a cult movie, which made me interested enough to want to rent it, especially after seeing the main actor, Jon Heder, in the comedy Blades of Glory, which I've also reviewed. So I rented the movie, here's more about it and what I thought of it.
- Main Credits ... ...main acting cast) -
Napoleon Dynamite is all about a nerdy high school student (of the same name as the movie title), played by Jon Heder, and his somewhat quirky life, as he tries to fit in. When a new student, Pedro, played by Efren Ramirez, arrives, Napoleon shows him around and they become casual friends. Pedro then goes on to run for school president, going against the popular girl, Summer Wheatly (played by Haylie Duff, Hilary Duff's sister). ...
IzzyS 30.03.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Napoleon Dynamite (DVD)
Advantages: Many funny scenes. Disadvantages: Odd storyline
NAPOLEON DYNAMITE
"He's out to prove he's got nothing to prove."
Cert PG 89 minutes Rating: 4/5
DRESSED in the most awful clothes you can never imagine, Napoleon Dynamite is your average American high school geek. Have you ever wondered what life is like for a geek? Have you ever worn clothes that you will never wear again? Napoleon Dynamite does not care about what he wears or how he behaves. It is a just for laughs film; it's one of the funniest ... ...spit out your drinks.
Napoleon Dynamite is played by Jon Heder, who was also in the comedy Monster House. His behaviour and his actions are enough to make us laugh until we puke out a lung. Napoleon Dynamite was written by Jerusha Hess; Jerusha Hess brought us the smash hit comedy movie Nacho Libre, and like that film, it doesn't let us down.
The film follows the poor American geek living in a small town in America. He decides to help his new friend, ...
mrroyale 18.08.2008 (07.09.2008)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Napoleon Dynamite (DVD)
Advantages: Hilariously funny Disadvantages: The opening credits were a bit slow
...days of school we watched Napoleon Dynamite in our maths class, at first I was a bit sceptical because I didn't know what it would be like, but after we'd watched the first twenty minutes I thought it was hilarious.
”°º× Plot ׺°”
Napoleon Dynamite is about a tennage boy named, you guessed it, Napoleon Dynamite. When his grandma has to go to hospital his uncle Rico decides to pay an unwelcomed visit to look after him and his brother Kip while she's ... ...is also fast approaching and Napoleon still hasn't found a person to go with. Napoleon as a character is quite unpredictable and very unique, he enjoys drawing mythical creatures, eating tots, playing tetherball and he begins to take an interest in hip-hop dancing which plays an important part of the film later on. He stands out from the crowd and gets bullied by the other kids but he does stand up for himself without caring what anyone else thinks. ...
fashionista27 20.07.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Napoleon Dynamite (DVD)
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Advantages: Makes you realise that YOUR school days weren't that bad. Disadvantages: The humour isn't to everyone's taste ~ Uncle Rico made me cringe!
of a teenaged geek and his strange household learning that sometimes, just sometimes, some things work out!
Honorable mention MUST go to:
.....Tina, the llama, who is part of the Dynamite family
..... Deb, a student trying to earn money for college
..... the farmer and his cow
..... Pedro's presidential campaign "Skit"
..... The milk tasting
I have read several reviews on the LOVEFiLM website, by people who loved this film and people who loathed it; some of whom compared it to Marmite. The opening credits, hand delivered on quirky plates and school accessories were far more interesting than the final lists, in white on black.
I'm glad I always watch the credits all the way through, though.
The best scene was saved until last! Did YOU miss it?
NapoleonDynamite ~ 2004 (DVD release 2005)
86 minutes
Classification ...
Advantages: Unusual storyline Disadvantages: Not a bad film, but not amongst the greats
of those movies.
Reese Witherspoon and Mark Ruffalo are both great in their roles and work well together. All in all a nice addition to any collection off chick flicks.
Theres also an amusing appearance by Jon Heder (NapoleonDynamite, The Benchwarmers) as a psychic bookstore clerk.
DVD Extras:
Filmmakers commentary
Making of Just Like Heaven
Meet The Cast
Gag Reel
Deleted Scenes
Previews
Rated PG - contains mild language and sexual references
Run time: 1 hr 31 mins approx
Released in 2005 by Dreamworks
Directed by Mark Waters
This review may appear on other sites. ...
Jared Hess makes an unforgettable directorial debut with NAPOLEON DYNAMITE, a hilarious, tender, and original portrait of a truly eccentric character. Napoleon Dynamite (Jon Heder) is a high-school outcast in every sense of the word. More interested in playing tetherball by himself and drawing pictures of his favourite animal, the 'liger' (a combination of a lion and a tiger), Napoleon is ignored by everyone in his tiny hometown of Preston, Idaho. At home, things aren't much better. His uber-nerd older brother Kip (Aaron Ruell) and ultra-vain Uncle Rico (Jon Gries) are too busy with their own obsessions to give Napoleon the time of day. It isn't until a new student, Pedro (Efren Ramirez), arrives that Napoleon finds friendship and performs an act of brave defiance that makes him a true hero. Written by Hess and his wife Jerusha, NAPOLEON DYNAMITE brilliantly captures the awkwardness of high school without succumbing to condescension. Most of this can be attributed to Heder, who steps into Napoleon's moon boots with a jaw-dropping flawlessness. The rest of the cast is just as natural, underplaying their roles and letting the comedy unfold without forcing any of the jokes. Add a hilarious soundtrack of 1980s hits and you have an instant classic, a crowd-pleasing riot that has an undeniably universal appeal.
Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
PARAMOUNT HOME ENTERTAINMENT; TECHNICOLOR DIST. SERVICES
Commentary By Jared Hess And Jeremy Coon And Jon Heder, The Wedding Of The Century The Making Of Featurette, Deleted Scenes, Stills Gallery
Aspect Ratio
1.78 Anamorphic Wide Screen
Sound
Dolby Digital 5.1
Dubbing Sound
Dolby Digital 5.1 English German Spanish
Professional reviews
Review
One of the funniest things you'll ever see. (Matt Lucas, )
DVD Description
Jared Hess makes an unforgettable directorial debut with NAPOLEON DYNAMITE, a hilarious, tender, and original portrait of a truly eccentric character. Napoleon Dynamite (Jon Heder) is a high-school outcast in every sense of the word. More interested in playing tetherball by himself and drawing pictures of his favourite animal, the 'liger' (a combination of a lion and a tiger), Napoleon is ignored by everyone in his tiny hometown of Preston, Idaho. At home, things aren't much better. His uber-nerd older brother Kip (Aaron Ruell) and ultra-vain Uncle Rico (Jon Gries) are too busy with their own obsessions to give Napoleon the time of day. It isn't until a new student, Pedro (Efren Ramirez), arrives that Napoleon finds friendship and performs an act of brave defiance that makes him a true hero. Written by Hess and his wife Jerusha, NAPOLEON DYNAMITE brilliantly captures the awkwardness of high school without succumbing to condescension. Most of this can be attributed to Heder, who steps into Napoleon's moon boots with a jaw-dropping flawlessness. The rest of the cast is just as natural, underplaying their roles and letting the comedy unfold without forcing any of the jokes. Add a hilarious soundtrack of 1980s hits and you have an instant classic, a crowd-pleasing riot that has an undeniably universal appeal.
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