Napoleon Dynamite (2004)

For such a small film, Napoleon Dynamite has certainly got a lot of hype. It’s a basic story, but people loved it so much it stuck around in theaters for quite a while, and was hyped unbelievably everywhere. So what is it about this geek with an odd name? Is he a star in the making, or is this just more hype (brought to us mainly by MTV) with nothing to back it up?

All of the actors in Napoleon Dynamite are basic unknowns. The lead goes to Napoleon himself, Jon Heder. He does a pretty good job of playing the geeky leading man – but it doesn’t seem to be much of a stretch for him.

If he’s really not a geek off-screen, the main props go to his attire in the film – they say geek all by themselves, even before he opens his mouth: a frizzy perm, winter boots, tight high-rise jeans and tucked-in 70’s t-shirts that seem a bit too small. Just picture that for a moment, and you’ll get the idea.

Jon doesn’t even have to say anything for the picture to be drawn. Then when he starts spewing out malarky about nunchucks and magic and wizardry, the picture is complete. Here stands the ultimate geek of high school – and he knows it.

In spite of the attire and dialogue, Jon still fails to keep the audience interested in anything he does in Napoleon Dynamite. The average viewer will most likely pity him, but would still cross the street if they ever saw him. He’s truly pathetic, and almost physically painful to watch. The other actors all give incredibly lackluster performances, hindering Napoleon even further.

The plot is basically non-existent. Napoleon Dynamite is just about a geek going about his everyday life. Sadly, even any twists and turns in the movie have been done before (and better) by earlier geek-shines films (Sixteen Candles, etc.). This film doesn’t deviate at all from any of the earlier films of it’s type, so doesn’t really throw anything new at the viewer. In the end, the viewer will be happier the film is over than they are by any turn of events that unfolds on screen.

So what is the drawing power of Napoleon Dynamite? You’ve got me. This is just yet another example of over-hype that reveals a rather pathetic movie behind all the bluster and hoopla. Sure, there are funny moments, but mostly you’ll be laughing at Napoleon, instead of with him.

The few funny moments (mostly shown in the previews, by the way) aren’t worth the hour-and-a-half plus that you waste sitting down to watch this.

Does it get our worst rating? No…but only because I’ll take pity on the geek (and the film) known as Napoleon Dynamite.