100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 140: Napoleon Dynamite

Director: Jared Hess

Genre: Comedy
Runtime: 92 minutes

Year: 2004

Starring: John Heder, Aaron Ruell, Jon Gries, Efren Ramirez, Tina Majorino, Diedrich Bader, Sandy Martin, Haylie Duff

Description: The listless and alienated teenager Napoleon (John Heder) decides to help his new friend Pedro (Efren Ramirez) win the class presidency in their small western high school, while he must deal with his bizarre family life back home.

Review: When you think about nerds you often picture teenage boys with greasy hair, glasses, white socks and the wrong choice of clothes. In movies they are portrayed this stereotypical so they win over you sympathy. The main character, Napoleon Dynamite, is also a nerd. If we look at the previous characterizations, he checks all the boxes, but he’s not a complete stereotype. Napoleon is a big pain in the ass. That’s why “Napoleon Dynamite” isn’t a standard high school comedy.

“Napoleon Dynamite” is slow paced and you hardly see an actual story. But the movie is very entertaining and funny. The character of Napoleon is a breath of fresh air in the genre. And the retro eighties feel is perfect.

John Heder is great as Napoleon. With his weird look, the way he walks and his view on the world, he actually manages to create an almost iconic character. One you would recognize within seconds. I especially like Napoleon’s dance to Jamiroquai’s “Canned Heat”.

“Napoleon Dynamite” is an enjoyable movie. It has a lot of fans, who think this movie is genious. I wouldn’t go that far, but it’s a fun film.

Rating: 3,5/ 5