Napoleon Dynamite

Peach’s Picks Rating


Title:
Napoleon Dynamite

Production Information:
Fox Searchlight Pictures and Paramount Pictures in association with MTV Films
Director – Jared Hess
Producers – Jeremy Coon, Chris Wyatt, Sean Covel
Writers – Jared Hess and Jerusha Hess
Production Designer – Cory Lorenzen
Director of Photography – Munn Powell
Actors – Jon Heder, Jon Gries, Aaron Ruell, Efren Ramirez, Diedrich Bader, Tina Majorino, Sandy Martin, Haylie Duff, Trevor Snarr
Music – John Swihart
Rated PG for thematic elements and language

ISBN:
No identification number available

Copyright:
2004

Length:
95 minutes

Plot Summary:
Napoleon Dynamite is an unpopular nerdy teenage boy living in small-town Idaho with his grandmother and 32-year-old single brother, Kip, who might be a bigger nerd than Napoleon. Grandma goes away on a motorcycle adventure and asks their middle-aged, smooth-talking, scamming Uncle Rico to stay with Napoleon and Kip. Napoleon’s school days are friendless and miserable until he meets Pedro, the geeky new kid in school with the big mustache. Napoleon and Pedro also befriend Deb who is shy and unpopular. Napoleon tries to steer clear of Uncle Rico and his schemes. Kip spends his time in chat rooms cruising for babes. Napoleon just tries to get through the day without being pushed, shoved, and beaten by other high school boys and ignored by girls. Pedro decides to run for class president. In a hilarious turn of events, Napoleon saves Pedro’s campaign with a dance routine. The story wraps up well for all characters. Pedro wins the election. Grandma comes home. Uncle Rico resumes living in his orange camper. Kip and Lafawnduh, the woman he met online, ride out of town together on a Greyhound bus. Napoleon and Deb are last seen developing a bashful romantic relationship over a tether ball game.

Critical Evaluation:
This is a very funny movie that receives kudos for managing to be popular with teenage boys and still receive a PG rating. It is a universal story that any boy can identify with whether they are popular or an outlier on the nerd scale. As is typical in many teen stories, there is no caring parental figure to guide and protect the teens. The writers have done a fine job of creating over-the-top hilarious stereotypes of all characters, being offensive, but offending no one. The action moves quickly and surprises abound. Gag jokes border on offensive; for example, a farmer shoots a cow at short range in front of a school bus full of children. The violence is suggested by the look on the children’s faces, but the viewer does not see the killing. Scenes like this offer just the right amount of gross factor to hold teen boys interested, but keep the movie’s rating at PG. The DVD bonuses that interest viewers includes: commentary from the director and actors; Peluca, a short film by the same director; a wedding scene; deleted scenes.

Viewer’s Annotation:
Napoleon has a pocketful of tater tots and a life full of trouble. Watch the movie and you’ll find out why “Vote for Pedro” t-shirts are popping up everywhere.

Author Information:
None available

Genre:
DVD – comedy

Curriculum Ties:
None

Movie Talking Ideas:
Napoleon is a nerd turned hero who has a blonde fro and all the wrong moves.

Check out the nerdy needy side of Napoleon, laugh-out-loud when he tells the girl of his dreams “I like your sleeves”, cringe when tater tots get squashed in his pants pocket, and your eyes will bug out when you meet Lafawnduh.

Reading Level/Interest Age:
Ages 13-20

Additional works by Director and Script Writer:
Director, Jared Hess: Gentlemen Broncos (2009), Nacho Libre (2006), Peluca (2003)
Writer, Jared Hess: Gentlemen Broncos (2009), Nacho Libre (2006), Peluca (2003)
Writer, Jerusha Hess: Gentlemen Broncos (2009), Nacho Libre (2006)

Challenge Issues:
Sexual humor and language
Deal with challenge by having a challenge policy in place, selection policy in place (ALA policies). Meet with library administration if necessary. Provide positive review(s) from professional publications.

Why this work is included in Peach’s Picks:
This work is included in Peach’s Picks because the YA Librarian at the local branch of the public library recommended it, saying that the movie is very popular with teen boys. The movie is awarded five peaches for reaching the teen audience in a humorous manner and maintaining a PG rating.

Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/Napoleon-Dynamite/dp/B00186QBYE/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1272251807&sr=1-12

References:
IMDb. (2010). “Napoleon Dynamite”. IMDd. Retrieved March 29, 2010, from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0490822