Milkduds

Napoleon Dynamite (8/10)

January 9th, 2005

What a throwback to the eighties!!! Napoleon Dynamite doesn’t really have much of a story to it, but has probably one of the most original and true characters I’ve seen in a movie. I seriously need to see Jon Heder interviewed because he has got to be like the character he plays in some way. I’ve noticed that there’s a lot of “you either love it or hate it” about this the movie, but I think the consensus is that it’s good. I sometimes have quirky taste in movies, so I always look to my wife’s taste to see if a movie is agreeable for the general public. Since she liked Napoleon, I think it’s a safe bet.

The movie is set in the 80’s (I think) and focuses on Napoleon, who is a very awkward teenager living in Idaho and trying to make the best of the situations he faces. It also has one of the best opening credit sequences I’ve seen in a while, by using different real backgrounds and doing close ups on different plates of food while spelling out the credits in some kind of sauce or condiment. The script was very well written, especially the dialogue between the characters and Napoleon’s mannerisms. There was also NO cussing, sex, or brutal violence in the whole movie, hence the PG rating, which is unheard of these days for an adult audience. And most important of all, it made me laugh a lot.

Now, one of the more controversial aspects of the movie is when it takes place. Almost everything looks like it should be in the 80’s, but there are a few things, especially one, that would prove otherwise. For one, Napoleon’s brother, Kip, talks about how he was chatting online or bought something online, which no one did in the 80’s. But, he was a real nerd, so it’s plausible. Also, in the opening credits, Napoleon’s school ID card says 2004 - 2005 on it, but that could have just been an oversight by the editor. Finally, there’s a part in the movie where a group of girls dance to a Backstreet Boys song, and that couldn’t have been an editorial oversight, unless it’s a serious error in the story or script.

If you want to see something original and funny, this is a good movie to watch. Don’t get ready to hear a great story or see awesome action and special effects. And it’s not funny in the sense of the cheap shots most of the SNL or teen movies take. It’s funny because everyone probably knew someone like Napoleon either by acquaintence or because you knew it would be social suicide to associate in any manner with someone like him. Also, this movie should be appreciated by fans of 80’s culture because this movie has some good 80’s artifacts floating around that most current movies set the 80’s don’t have.

Entry Filed under: Movies