Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
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| Pic by http://fanpop.com |
Director: Jared Hess
Writers: Jared Hess & Jerusha Hess
Cast: Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite), Efren Ramirez ( Pedro), Jon Gries (Uncle Rico), Aaron Ruell (Kip), Diedrich Bader (Rex), Tina Majorino (Deb), Sandy Martin (Grandma), Haylie Duff (Summer Wheatly), Trevor Snarr (Don), Shondrella Avery (Lafawnduh), and Emily Dunn as Trisha.
Films today have so many themes, especially the High school themes that made the box office, some either fell off the face of the earth or created an underground network of avid followers. So does Napoleon Dynamite, make the top underground film of all time, yes. What i mean, when i say underground, this film is a sleeper hit, it won awards, Teen Choice Awards (2005), MTV Movie Award (2005). What do i consider an underground sleeper hit; A film that breaks all bounds in plot, comedy, and ambiance, not forced type of comedy. Another example of films like these are Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986), Happy Gilmore (1996), Gentlemen Broncos (2009), and Wayne's World (1992). These films all have low budgets, and conquered in the box office, making enormous amounts of money. Films like the one's i mentioned are all funny, they go beyond the main plot, and some have an ending that really makes no sense, but does it. The film is really about the main character, a non forced laughing moment that creates a comedic situation. These movies are not forced, there focus is on the moment.
"I told you! I spent it with my uncle in Alaska hunting wolverines!" -Napoleon Dynamite-
The life of Napoleon Dynamite (Jon Heder), a young man with some issues, but are all in fun, especially when you chuck an action figure outside the window of a school bus, the figure is attached to a fishing line. The action figure jumps, rolls, bounces about, as the bus continues to the next pick up, just before school. Napoleon sits and watches in awe as the action figure does his thing. The boy sitting next to him, looks at him like if there was a nuclear blast, or something has just whacked him with a bat. A facepalm moment, but yet Napoleon just did his thing, in delight, the thing that defines him is his face, never able to tell whether he is serious or joking. The gaze he gives are strong, but almost like he is in deep thought. The boy stares at him, wondering what just happened. The action figure, just bounces, and Napoleon continues to stare at the boy sitting across from him.
In school Napoleon talks about hunting a wolverine with a twelve gauge, somewhere in Alaska. Loves the game, Tetherball, but as the day usually goes by, he gets bullied. His head is pounded, kicked, but Napoleon goes about his day, like nothing has ever happened. He then calls home, his brother Kip (Aaron Ruell) is making some nachos, the nachos are stacked mountain high, cheese, sprawled over them, the phone rings, Kip answers. Napoleon asks him to bring the chapstick, his lips are dry, chapped, he needs some, and isn't feeling good, because a bully had punched him in the stomach, and kicked him. Kip wants him to go to the nurse and ask her for some chapstick, Napoleon recognizes the issue, in anger hangs up and continues his day.
Review: The day and life of the iconic Napoleon Dynamite, a young man that has a really big heart, despite his weird antics. Imagine what that guy, yup, the boy getting his butt beat by that cruel bully. What if that very person is the next computer genius, or maybe the CEO of a huge company. Guys like Napoleon have an imagination that could be bigger than life, and yes i just might be going off on rants from another planet, but you know i'm right. A film like this is all about the main character and his point of view. The world of Napoleon Dynamite, a vast world that only Pedro can come close to understanding the antics, and the world he is used to. The film brings life to so many great characters, granted Pedro, and Napoleon are the ones that get the most screen time, but as a whole this film is really good at character concepts. The movie really puts you in the life of Napoleon Dynamite, a young man that wants life to recognize him for who he his.
"I see you're drinking 1%. Is that 'cause you think you're fat? 'Cause you're not. You could be drinking whole if you wanted to." -Napoleon Dynamite-
The direction of the film was done well, it is funny in a goofy, weird way, because again the world is Napoleon's and that is what makes the film so good. Couple days ago my fellow co-worker had told me this film was bad, sucks, no plot, everything you could think of, he had mentioned. I highly disagree with him; Everyone has an opinion, but as far for this film i give it two thumbs up, it's a wonderful film that families can enjoy. There is some scenes that might be a bit offensive to some folks, but it is mild, everything in this film is mild, so with that being said, no worries, it's funny all the way through the film. Great music as well, "The promise," performed by When in Rome, written by Farrington, Floreale, and Mann. "Time After Time," written by Rob Hyman, Cyndi Lauper; Performed by Cyndi Lauper. and last "Forever Young," written by Marian Gold, Bernhard Lloyd, Frank Mertens; Performed by Alphaville. Granted this film was out in 2004, it had an 80's feel to it, it's the way i really feel about this film, the nostalgia will always be there, especially towards the end of the film, a typical 1980's movie, the feel, story, and even direction was all there.
"What gun did you use?" -Don-
"A freakin' 12-gauge, what do you think?" -Napoleon Dynamite-
Successful films like this one is a reason for directing, writing, all the good pieces of filmmaking, it establishes the key components of a film. This low budget film is a gem among many films, not because of the money, because if it were about that it probably would've never soared the way it did in the box office, the effort and detail that it projected by the creators was the main reason for it's incredible success. The movie's characters have connections, each have a unique issue, a non forced issue which is funny. Uncle Rico with his Football QB problem. You know he sucks but in a funny way. Pedro is quiet, but a cool nerd on the inside, Pedro has really great qualities, his running for President is funny, especially the pinata scene. The scene when Uncle Rico hits Napoleon Dynamite in the face with the steak. I laughed so hard, it's a great scene, it establishes the connection with each other. You really feel bad for the guy, but instead it makes up the whole world of Napoleon Dynamite. The success in this film is the cast, they make up the world, they're more established than you think. The heart and passion in the direction of the characters are definitely noted, the director did a wonderful job, just one of the key areas that make a film. Everyone had a set path, yes even Summer, she had her dance in front of a audience in school, but when Pedro delivered his speech and Napoleon did his dance in front of everyone, afterwards the applause, everyone went crazy over the dance spot. Another moment that is memorable in the life of Napoleon Dynamite.
The main reason for films like this one to succeed is simple equation; All the characters in the story are relatable. Rico the over confident older man, thinks he knows the way the world works, but in reality is in a hole bigger than the people he gives advice to. Pedro, the silent but when put to a test he can do really big things. Napoleon a guy who nine times out of ten is misunderstood, why? Because that's him, one hundred percent. The guy just is, he is something special in his own way, and the character works, he is developed to be like all young people who gets picked on, or bullied in this case. A great overall misunderstood dude; Beneath all of it, he is a kind, gentle young man wanting the things everyone else has, normalcy. And last we have Kip, the dude can handle himself, or so he thinks; Underneath it all is a guy who wants to be that cool, get the girls kinda dude. Kip is very different, but funny in his own way. Kip likes to keep things together, and overall this guy is the cool. of cool. Look he has a girl, which he nailed by communicating online. The expense was astronomical, but cool. Kip is the man.
The Napoleon Dynamite film is an underground sleeper hit, yes, a great film with characters we all could relate to. The dynamic is awesome, the way the characters communicate, and funny at all times. There isn't any moment in the film that you just don't laugh. The Kip scenes were all good, Napoleon scenes were all together, amazing moments which make you wonder sometimes. The supporting cast was good as well, i love Summer (Haylie Duff) the popular girl in the school, great character. Rex (Diedrich Bader) the Judo, Karate, instructor with an attitude. Don (Trevor Snarr) the cool kid in the school, also Summer's boyfriend. Deb (Tina Majorino), a quiet young lady, another character we all could relate to. And last we have Trisha (Emily Dunn), and Lafawnduh (Shondrella Avery). Those two gals had a short scenes, but memorable. Lafawnduh and the Kip scenes were very good, and funny. Trisha scenes with Napoleon were very good; The nerd trying to get the girl scenes, although if Uncle Rico wasn't involved Trisha would've never even talked Napoleon, the dance and picture he drew would've been another failure for him. The point here, own this movie, it has so many great memorable scenes that make up a classic, underground film. The low budget movie it is, but the story is good, it has so much to offer, musically it merges with the film well, all in all if you don't have the film, go but it. Much better than the garbage out in theaters now.
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