NAPOLEON DYNAMITE
Starring:
Jon Heder, Jon Gries, Aaron Ruell, Efren Ramirez, Diedrich Bader and Tina
Majorino
Director:
Jared Hess
Running:
82 mins
Out to buy on DVD 04/12/06
"It's a time machine"
Alienated by the rest of his fellow students at High School, Napoleon (Heder) has regressed into his own little world. He is consumed by his art, his own sense of style and getting a date for the dance. His new friend is Pedro, a new student who is drawn into Napoleon's world but the two of them come up with a play to increase their popularity and make them the talk of the school dance.
Once in a while a movie comes along that is destined to become a comedy cult classic. 'Napoleon Dynamite' is one of those films.
The strange and bizarre world of Napoleon and his family and friends is place that you will be instantly drawn into. Time machines bought from EBay, making videos of yourself, internet dating, disco dancing and Uncle's throwing steak at his nephew, this is a world that is on the verge on insanity but you will be intrigued by everything that goes on. This is laugh out loud stuff that you can not help but be tickled by.
Bringing this strange world to life is an excellent ensemble cast. Jon Heder is exceptional as uber-geek Napoleon. With his extreme fashion sense, his weird hear and a voice that tries to sound more intelligent than he actually is, Heder creates a character that is an instant classic. Co-writer/director Jared Hess and Jon Heder take this creation and instil him with some classic dialogue and physical comedy that is just a joy to watch. Napoleon is destined to become a cult classic character.
His supporting cast is also very good and just as hysterical as Jon Heder as Napoleon. Jon Gries is fantastic as Uncle Rico. His weird videos, his passion for steak and his continual embarrassment of Napoleon are extremely funny but you definitely wouldn't want an Uncle like him. Aaron Ruell is also brilliant as Kip, Napoleon's older brother who is looking for the perfect woman on the internet. Efren Ramirez is excellent as Pedro Sanchez, Napoleon's new best friend and the guy determined to take the most popular girl in school to the dance.
With a brilliant cast and a story of the uber-geek geek trying to get noticed with a really bizarre twist, 'Napoleon Dynamite' is a comedy cult classic in the making. With so many quotable lines and laugh-out-loud scenes, this is a comedy that will soon be a repeat watcher for your collection.
PICTURE & SOUND
Presented in Widescreen 1.85:1 Anamorphic with a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack, the transfer is good.
BONUS FEATURES
Disc 1
The Wedding of the Century: Making of featurette (3.48 mins)
Stars Jon Heder, Efren Ramirez, Aaron Ruell, Tina Majorino and Shondrella
Avery take you behind the scenes of the bonus scene at the end of the
credits.
Deleted Scenes
Entitled 'Second locker room scene', 'Pedro's holy chip', 'Flash back',
'Extended thrift store scene and La Tienda Lotto ticket' and 'Kickball
scene with Pedro and Napoleon', these hilarious deleted scenes have optional
commentary from director Jared Hess and producer Jeremy Coon.
Commentary by director/co-writer Jared Hess, actor Jon Heder and producer
Jeremy Coon
The trio provide a chatty and informative commentary that reveals how
the original ideas for the characters. Moving on from 'Peluca', they reveal
how the characters and script developed and what it was like returning
to Preston. They also talk about were the stories come. This is a good
commentary that offers an insight into low budget filmmaking.
Cast commentary by Aaron Ruell, Efren Ramirez, Jon Gries and Tina
Majorino
The actors that played Kip, Pedro, Uncle Rico and Deb come together to
provide a very funny and chatty track. The group talk about working with
Jon Heder and director Jared Hess and reveal many behind the scenes stories.
This is an extremely good group commentary track.
Disc 2
On Location: Napoleon Dynamite (41.20 mins)
Entitled 'Halls of Academe', 'Steaks toss', 'Cage fighter', 'Nap Dance',
'Grandma on the Dunes', 'Sweet jumps', 'Neck meat/Time machine', 'Gold
bracelets and tiny sea horses' and 'Odd job', this is behind the scene
B-roll footage that allows you to watch the cast and crew of 'Napoleon
Dynamite' work.
World Premiere: Jared Hess (43.46 mins)
Filmed during and during the run up to the 2004 Sundance Film Festival,
we follow co-writer/director Jared Hess as he prepares to show his film
to the public for the first time. Shot in a non-linear style, we see Hess's
apprehension and nerves before the screening and what he though after.
This is a fascinating insight into a filmmaker making their debut.
Extended/Alternative and Outtakes Scenes (10.40 mins)
Entitled 'Current event', 'Chapstick', 'Nupoint fibre-woven bowls', 'Time
Machine', 'Kip love poem', 'Outtakes montage #2' and 'Lord of the dance',
these scenes are just as much fun as the main film. Napoleon fans should
rejoice.
Casting Napoleon Dynamite
Casting director/executive producer Jory Weitz introduces the audition
videos for Tina Majorino (Deb), Efren Ramirez (Pedro) and Haylie Duff
(Summer).
Peluca (8.47 mins)
Watch the 2002 short film, which inspired Napoleon Dynamite, with optional
commentary by director/writer Jared Hess, actor Jon Heder and producer
Jeremy Coon.
Napoleon Sightings
Watch Jon Heder's appearances and other Napoleon impressions during 'clips
from TRL', 'Tankman begins clip from 2005 MTV Movie Awards', 'Opening
SNL with Jon Heder', '2004 Teen Choice Awards: Napoleon Dynamite and Nicole
Ritchie play tetherball', '2005 Teen Choice Awards: Hissy Fit Award',
'Spelling Bee' and 'Utah State Fair Ads'.
MTV On-Air Promos (7.34 mins)
Watch the TV spots from MTV entitled '3 Easy Steps (Napoleon 1 & 2, Pedro,
Uncle Rico and Deb), Fishing, Liger vs. Tigon, Rez Dogs and Nightclub
(1, 2, 3, 4 and alternative version)
Stills Gallery
View behind the scenes and publicity images from Napoleon Dynamite
OVERALL
The special edition two-disc set of Napoleon Dynamite is as much fun as the movie. The commentary tracks are extremely good and the extra features on the second disc really complement the film and its tone. This is the DVD package that Napoleon Dynamite fans have been waiting for. Lets hope a sequel is on the cards.
DVD
The Usher Home | Hush, Hush... | The Big Story | The Usher Speaks
Stuck @ Home | Coming Soon | Links | Contact the Usher
2004