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Movies / On DVD / Napoleon Dynamite
Napoleon Dynamite

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Napoleon Dynamite (2004)

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Reviews Counted: 157

Fresh: 111

Rotten:46

Average Rating: 6.3/10

Consensus: A charming, quirky, and often funny comedy.

Rated: PG [See Full Rating] for thematic elements and language

Runtime: 1 hr 35 mins

Genre: Comedies

Theatrical Release:Jun 11, 2004 Limited

Box Office: $44,478,018

Synopsis: Jared Hess makes an unforgettable directorial debut with NAPOLEON DYNAMITE, a hilarious, tender, and utterly original portrait of a truly eccentric character. Napoleon Dynamite (Jon Heder) is a... Jared Hess makes an unforgettable directorial debut with NAPOLEON DYNAMITE, a hilarious, tender, and utterly original portrait of a truly eccentric character. Napoleon Dynamite (Jon Heder) is a high-school outcast in every sense of the word. More interested in playing tetherball by himself and drawing pictures of his favorite animal, the "liger" (a combination of a lion and a tiger), Napoleon is ignored by everyone in his tiny hometown of Preston, Idaho. At home, things aren't much better: his uber-nerd older brother, Kip (Aaron Ruell), and ultra-vain Uncle Rico (Jon Gries) are too busy with their own obsessions to give Napoleon the time of day. It isn't until a new student, Pedro (Efren Ramirez), arrives that Napoleon finds friendship and performs an act of brave defiance that makes him a true hero. Written by Hess and his wife, Jerusha, NAPOLEON DYNAMITE brilliantly captures the awkwardness of high school without succumbing to condescension. Most of this can be attributed to Heder, who steps into Napoleon's moon boots with a jaw-dropping flawlessness. The rest of the cast is just as natural, underplaying their roles and letting the comedy unfold without forcing any of the jokes. Add a hilarious soundtrack of 1980s hits and you have an instant classic, a crowd-pleasing riot that has an undeniably universal appeal. [More]

Starring: Jon Heder, Aaron Ruell, Jon Gries, Efren Ramirez

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

Director: Jared Hess

Director: Jared Hess
Screenwriter: Jerusha Hess, Jared Hess
Producer: Jeremy Coon, Sean Covel, Chris Wyatt
Studio: Fox Searchlight Pictures

[See More Credits]

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    Napoleon's Bike Jump
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    Napoleon Dynamite Trailer
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  • Napoleon Dynamite - Behind the Scenes Clip
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    Napoleon Dynamite - At the Dance Clip
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    Napoleon Dynamite - Rico's Portrait Clip
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Release:

May 12, 2009

[DVD Details]
 
 

DVD Features:

  • Region 1
  • NTSC
  • Keep Case
  • Dual Side

Audio:

  • Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
  • Dolby Surround - Spanish
  • Subtitles - English, French, Spanish - Optional

Additional Release Material:

  • Audio Commentary: Jared Hess - Director; Jon Heder - Star; Jeremy Coon - Producer
  • Disc 1/Side A: NAPOLEON DYNAMITE - Widescreen Version
  • Widescreen - 1.85

Additional Release Material:

  • Deleted Scenes: (5) With Commentary

Interactive Features:

  • Hidden Features: Easter Eggs

Text/Photo Galleries:

  • Stills/Photos
  • Disc 1/Side B: NAPOLEON DYNAMITE - Full Frame Version
  • Full Frame - 1.33

Additional Release Material:

  • Behind the Scenes: Making of the Wedding of the Century

Trailers:

  • 1. MTV On-Air promos
  • 2. ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT
  • 3. Product Trailers - Soundtrack Promo
 
 
 
 

Reviews for Napoleon Dynamite

  • T-Meter Critics
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1 - 20 (sorted by date)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 >> >|
Arrange By: Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Cinema Crazed | comment Comment
04/29/09
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Cinema Crazed

Napoleon Dynamite may not even be friggin' sweet, but it does have skills. [Blu-ray]

Full Review Source: Groucho Reviews | comment Comment
02/10/09
Peter Canavese
Groucho Reviews
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
10/18/08
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Sacramento News & Review | comment Comment
08/07/08
Jim Lane
Sacramento News & Review

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Big Picture Big Sound | comment Comment
12/27/07
Joe Lozito
Big Picture Big Sound

For most of its length this delivers a steady stream of uncomfortable gut laughs.

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
07/24/07
J. R. Jones
Chicago Reader
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

If you have an indie film sense of humor -- and those of you who have it know what I mean -- you'll probably enjoy this flick.

Full Review Source: Christianity Today | comment Comment
11/02/06
Mary Lasse
Christianity Today

too odd to dismiss and often truly funny

Full Review Source: Perihelion Journal | comment Comment
09/11/06
Jay Antani
Perihelion Journal

It’s a cast of brilliant caricatures, and as such recalls the films of Wes Anderson.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
06/24/06
Dave Calhoun
Time Out

Seething with teen-angst irritability and an obstinate blind ignorance to just how much of an outcast he is, Napoleon Dynamite may be the biggest dork in the history of high school movies.

Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
05/26/06
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid

As long as you don't mind making fun of the afflicted, there are some killer comic moments.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
04/01/06
Empire Magazine

Delights in deadpan %u2013 celebrates nerd. And is a testament that beauty can be found everywhere. A charming, albeit quite odd cinematic piece. Harold and Maude -lite.

Full Review Source: Hollywood Report Card | comment Comment
03/20/06
Ross Anthony
Hollywood Report Card
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Sydney Morning Herald | comment Comment
01/17/06
Sydney Morning Herald

Napoleon Dynamite may be forcefully weird and intermittently humorous, and you might not know what the heck to make of it, but there's nothing shocking about its screenplay.

Full Review Source: Houston Chronicle | comment Comment
07/21/05
Amy Biancolli
Houston Chronicle
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Leave this one for the dogs.

Full Review Source: FromTheBalcony | comment Comment
06/21/05
Bill Clark
FromTheBalcony

Functions like an excruciating episode of Jerry Springer.

Full Review Source: Lessons of Darkness | comment Comment
05/04/05
Nick Schager
Lessons of Darkness

A Roschach test of viewer empathy… while I respect the concerns of those who find the movie cruel, I have to side with those who find it ultimately endearing.

Full Review Source: Decent Films Guide | comment Comment
05/02/05
Steven D. Greydanus
Decent Films Guide

'March to the beat of your own drum,' the movie may say, 'but we will laugh at you.'

Full Review Source: Window to the Movies | comment Comment
02/03/05
Jeffrey Chen
Window to the Movies

É recheado de estereótipos dos mais ofensivos, mas torna-se agradável e divertido graças ao apelo de seu personagem-título.

comment Comment
01/18/05
Pablo Villaca
Cinema em Cena

It’s honestly kinda sweet and moving -- the blissed-out celebration of the lurking outcast inside all of us.

Full Review Source: Now Playing Magazine | comment Comment
12/28/04
Brent Simon
Now Playing Magazine
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 >> >|
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