tyler s
Not for everyone, 100% for me
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
11/05/24
Full Review
Dean E
How can a movie be so simple, yet so hilarious. GOSH
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
10/30/24
Full Review
Steven E
A Quirky Slice of Life: A Review of Napoleon Dynamite
Basic Info:
The unusual and unconventional indie comedy Napoleon Dynamite (2004), which was directed by Jared Hess, became a surprising cultural hit. Napoleon Dynamite, a socially awkward high school student navigating life in a small Idaho town, is portrayed by Jon Heder in the movie. The film, which was written by Jared and Jerusha Hess and produced by Jeremy Coon and Sean Covel, has a cast of quirky characters, such as Napoleon's disillusioned elder brother Kip (Aaron Ruell) and his equally uncomfortable pal Pedro (Efren Ramirez). Napoleon Dynamite, a low-budget movie released by Fox Searchlight, had a significant influence on the independent film industry.
Story Description:
The movie centers on Napoleon Dynamite, a teenage boy who enjoys sketching weird animals, tetherball, and tater tots. He has to deal with his strange family, stay away from school bullies, and work to help his friend Pedro become the school president. Much of the humor in the movie comes from Napoleon's social incompetence, but his attempts to relate to those around him are also sincere. The plot concentrates on the ordinary, uncomfortable, and frequently humorous aspects of small-town life rather than the high-stakes drama that characterizes many high school comedies.
Production Highlights:
Napoleon Dynamite's unique visual and directing style is one of its most notable features. In order to create a universe that feels both ridiculous and real, Jared Hess combines deadpan comedy, oddball characters, and a purposeful lack of polish. Munn Powell's flat, very minimalistic photography goes perfectly with the unconventional tone of the movie. The film's emphasis on the everyday is emphasized by the use of long, still shots and uncomfortable silences, which let the characters' strange behavior rather than conventional comedy setups provide amusement.
The creation of the movie was also distinctive. Jon Heder played a similar part in Jared Hess' short film Peluca, which served as the inspiration for Napoleon Dynamite. Napoleon Dynamite, which was made on a shoestring budget of roughly $400,000, became a sleeper hit after distributors took notice of it at the Sundance Film Festival. Part of the film's appeal is its low budget style, which forgoes the glitz of popular teen comedies in favor of an honest, unvarnished depiction of its eccentric people and their small-town setting.
Social Change Aspect:
Napoleon Dynamite conveys a subliminal message of inclusivity and self-acceptance even though the movie may not directly address conventional social justice issues. Despite the fact that Napoleon and his buddies are outsiders who are frequently disregarded or ignored by their peers, the movie accepts and even embraces their uniqueness. Napoleon Dynamite promotes the idea that it's acceptable to be different in a society that frequently forces people to fit in. By doing this, it promotes societal change by questioning the conventional depictions of high school life in the media. The movie offers a subdued defiance of social norms and resonates to everybody who has ever felt uncomfortable.
Cinematic Devices:
Jared Hess's use of tone, tempo, and visual style sets Napoleon Dynamite apart from other commercial comedies. Aside from awkward pauses and a subdued color scheme, the film's slow, methodical pacing conveys a sense of disassociation from the glitzy, fast-paced vibe of Hollywood movies. In order to make the humor seem more natural, Hess also uses unconventional comedic timing, letting jokes build rather than delivering them with punchlines. The soundtrack, which combines indie rock and synths from the 1980s, contributes to the film's distinct feel and further distinguishes it from other teen comedies.
Overall Recommendation:
Napoleon Dynamite is a one-of-a-kind film that defies conventional expectations. It’s a quirky, understated comedy that revels in the awkwardness of everyday life. While it may not be for everyone, its charm lies in its simplicity and authenticity. The film offers a refreshing alternative to the polished, formulaic comedies of the early 2000s, and its celebration of individuality makes it a cult classic worth watching.
Conclusion:
To sum up, Napoleon Dynamite is a movie that differs from standard Hollywood fare by utilizing its unique directing style and low budget image. The film's theme of self-acceptance, together with Jared Hess's embracing of awkwardness and deadpan humor, made it a cult favorite for years to come. Its distinct approach to comedy and character makes it stand out as a picture that speaks to anyone who has ever felt like they didn't quite fit in, not simply as an independent hit.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
10/21/24
Full Review
Tyler C
“Napoleon Dynamite” is directed by Jared Hess and is a poignant film of awkward and socially isolated characters trying to get by. The film’s themes of awkwardness and loneliness are something that everyone can understand in their adolescence even if they weren’t the geeky nerd like Napoleon Dynamite.
One great pro of the film is that all of the characters seem to be played by “no-name actors” which makes sense given the film’s indie debut as a student film project. This really amps the comical awkwardness of its characters as you know deep down that the actors themselves were “nobodies” too, rather than seeing a big-name actor trying to “roleplay as a loser” which could leave a stinge of mental dysphoria in buying the premise of the movie that a big name actor could really be “a loser.” The social change that this film portrays is about nerd culture and the ostracization that they can feel and the loneliness and awkwardness that comes with it. In comparison to a film like “Do the Right Thing” by Spike Lee, Napoleon Dynamite reflects more on what it means to accept oneself over what it means to accept others even though both films are pop culture comedic films.
However, the greatest pro of the film that everyone has come to know and love is its humor and comedy, which takes on what I’d call “Second-hand embarrassment humor” and is one of the earliest pioneers of this style of humor that people have come to love in other media, such as “The Office” show series. The film is great at making you feel like you’re reliving your own awkward past as you relive it through Napoleon Dynamite. Beneath the awkward humor, the film is about accepting yourself and the final culmination of Napoleon Dynamite’s dance for Pedro’s election serves for this thematic message. I can appreciate this dual nature of the film as it’s not just cheesy and fun humor, but deep down the movie still has a message it wants to tell and I believe that’s why people have come to really appreciate this movie.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
10/12/24
Full Review
Oaklee D
An enjoyable film, but I found it nowhere near as funny as what people are suggesting.
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
10/05/24
Full Review
r r
The Hero Within: A Lesson from Napolean Dynamite
As a person who loves awkward comedy in movies, I am disappointed to say this was my first time watching Napoleon Dynamite. Although bewildering at times, this film is a certified masterpiece. This cult classic was produced by Jeremy Coon, Chris Wyatt, and Sean Covel, written by Jared and Jerusha Hess, and directed by Jared Hess. It was released in 2004, and I am embarrassed that I watched it for the first time 20 years later. This movie is so great because while it is hilarious, it also serves to teach about the hero within all of us.
This indie comedy is set in Preston Idaho during the early 2000s and follows Napoleon’s journey through the school year. Napolean (Jon Heder) is a quirky, awkward kid who befriends an equally awkward boy named Pedro (Efren Ramirez) who decides to run for class president. As the year goes on, we get to watch napoleons journey of nonconformity and remaining true to himself.
The lighthearted tone to this movie was perfect for the time that it was created. Being released a couple years after 9/11, it provided people with an escape from the serious and political films of the era. Giving people a laugh during a serious and stressful time is what helped turn this movie into a classic.
Not only is this film funny, but it provides a powerful message to spark social change. Watching Napoleons' journey taught me that anyone can be the hero, you just must remain true to yourself. In most films the underdog is usually smart, charming, or attractive setting unrealistic standards for life. However, with the release of this film, it paved the way for a new character type that more accurately reflects the world. In the end, this movie helped teach the lesson that anybody can be the hero of their own story.
The message of being accepting reminds me of Spike lees “Do the Right Thing”. Although that film did not end on the high note that Napolean dynamite did, it still pushes the message that we should be accepting of one another. With such a diverse array of characters, we see the direct effects of being different and not accepting of it. Down the road, it leads to violence, which is why it is so important to realize that we are all human.
The best part of the movie, to me, is their use of deadpan humor. This cinematic device was a smart choice from Jared Huss and is what makes the movie great. Seeing Napolean unbothered by bizarre situations or nonchalantly trying to flirt with deb is part of what makes the movie so funny. There aren't many movies that make use of deadpan humor, perhaps because it can be difficult to execute. However, this film did it perfectly, and I wish there were more like it.
At the end of the day, the greatness of this film is undeniable. This is one of my new favorite movies, and I can't believe it took me until today to see it. If you are like me and have been living under a rock, do yourself a favor and see this movie. I would rate it higher than a 10/10 if that were possible.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
10/01/24
Full Review
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