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Napoleon Dynamite


USA 2004
Director: Jared Hess
Cast: Jon Heder, Efren Ramirez, Jon Gries, Tina Majorino, Haylie Duff, Aaron Ruell, Shondrella Avery
Rating: PG
Release Date: 17 January 2004
Running Time: 1 hour 36 minutes


The Movie Review

Napoleon Dynamite film still 1
Napoleon Dynamite film poster
NAPOLEON DYNAMITE
Storyline:4.5 stars
Cast:3.5 stars
Ending:3.5 stars
Overall:
3.5 stars

This movie should have come with a warning! After watching it and after you leave the theater, something from Napoleon Dynamite will make you do and think stuff involuntarily.... What stuff? Gaping. Not only because most of the time we only get to see Jon Heder's front teeth, but also for this movie highly "creative" storyline.

Before I start to lay out the storyline for you, I want to convey how I felt watching this comedy (for you to better conceive this movie) by adopting Napoleon Dynamite's storytelling technique into written form. So here it goes..

.....Napoleon Dynamite's storyline revolves around a high school student named, well, Napoleon Dynamite. ....He is a....geeky student who often bullied....and is having difficulty to get a date. ....He lives with his brother Kip Dynamite (Aaron Ruell) and....his uncle Rico (Jon Gries). ....Problems arise from Uncle Rico who disrespects....Napoleon and Kip (but mostly Napoleon) and jeopardizes Napoleon's relationship with....his sincere friend Debra (Tina Majorino). ....Napoleon (Jon Heder) befriends the new student from....Mexico named Pedro (Efren Ramirez) whose gaping mouth could only....be defeated by Napoleon. ....Napoleon and Pedro then try to compete with....the popular girl Summer Wheatley (Haylie Duff)....to be the class president....

Annoying eh? Same here, I almost gaped watching Jon Heder's "simply brilliant" acting. Moreover, at first I hated this independent film, but afterwards there was this contented feeling for having watch Napoleon Dynamite. For having watch a comedy that crosses the thick 'n fat line of clichés. It doesn't try to make you laugh out loud, and it doesn't blatantly take side on the protagonists, it's simply there, open-mouthed..., but it's there and it's different.

If nerds and geeks had a nation, then Napoleon will be the President, the Cult Leader, the Prime Minister, and Janitor. He rules the geek land and his body language is a darn guarantee that any geek will be shocked by his ultimate nerdiness. Good thing is that even though the movie's pace is rather slow, it presents us beautiful scenery of Preston, Idaho. The cinematography is just scenic, tranquil and delivers this relaxing feeling in watching Napoleon Dynamite. Preston is very serene and peaceful. And before I forget, as the credit roles, don't leave the theater or turn off your video player, at the very end of it there is a bonus scene that last for a couple of minutes.

Napoleon Dynamite is a silent bomb. It dares to be different and it will stay different for quite a time. It won't be that memorable, but it won't be easily forgettable either...

Napoleon Dynamite movie screenshot 2 Napoleon Dynamite movie screenshot 3 Napoleon Dynamite movie screenshot 4

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