Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
Average Rating: 6.3/10
Reviews Counted: 168
Fresh: 120 | Rotten: 48
A charming, quirky, and often funny comedy.
Average Rating: 5.9/10
Critic Reviews: 38
Fresh: 26 | Rotten: 12
A charming, quirky, and often funny comedy.
liked it
Average Rating: 3.3/5
User Ratings: 718,809
Movie Info
The directorial debut of filmmaker Jared Hess, who also co-wrote the screenplay, Napoleon Dynamite is a quirky, offbeat comedy set in the small Idaho town of Preston. Jon Heder stars in the titular role, a carrot-topped oddball with a decidedly eccentric family that includes his llama-loving, dune-buggy enthusiast grandmother. The story centers on the local high school's race for class president. Using some nontraditional means, Napoleon is determined to help his pal Pedro (Efrem Ramirez) run a
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Cast
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Jon Heder
Napoleon Dynamite -
Jon Gries
Uncle Rico -
Aaron Ruell
Kip -
Efren Ramirez
Pedro -
Tina Majorino
Deb -
Diedrich Bader
Rex -
Haylie Duff
Summer Wheatly -
Trevor Snarr
Don -
Shondrella Avery
LaFawnduh -
Sandy Martin
Grandma -
Ellen Dubin
Ilene -
Carmen Brady
Starla -
Emily Kennard
Trisha -
Brian Petersen
Lance -
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Napoleon Dynamite Trailer & Photos
All Critics (168) | Top Critics (38) | Fresh (120) | Rotten (48) | DVD (38)
For most of its length this delivers a steady stream of uncomfortable gut laughs.
It's a cast of brilliant caricatures, and as such recalls the films of Wes Anderson.
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.
The funniest film of the summer.
As slight as the picture is, though, its hero is an indelible creation.
An independent take on a Hollywood tradition, undermined by its cliches but saved by its performances.
For all its charm and its impeccable leads, Napoleon Dynamite is a modish exercise in anti-cool. Still, a strong debut for all its young talents.
One-of-a-kind high school comedy for the family.
Napoleon's climactic spaz-out dance is more than just a goofy gag. It's a payoff to a great buddy-system comedy and the idea that it's not high school's dreams and regrets that last, but the sometimes-bizarre friendships.
too odd to dismiss and often truly funny
Just incredibly mind-numbing and unfunny...
Napoleon Dynamite may not even be friggin' sweet, but it does have skills. [Blu-ray]
The characters are all weird and nothing much happens in Napoleon Dynamite, yet this droll and understated geek-comedy zings with truth.
Heder seems perversely bored, unable to hold his eyes open; was that a conscious acting choice, or was he simply reading his lines off the floor?
Writer-director Jared Hess tries for John Hughes by way of the Coen Brothers, but only comes up with one dull, unfunny non-sequitur after another.
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.
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.
As long as you don't mind making fun of the afflicted, there are some killer comic moments.
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.
I began to appreciate the neat reversals of expectations, slow pace and serene non sequiturs of the plot, the film's smart approach towards teen alienation, ludicrous ambition and impossible dreams.
Napoleon Dynamite isn't exactly the year's funniest film, but it does make for a memorable experience that can be enjoyed over and over again.
Leave this one for the dogs.
Functions like an excruciating episode of Jerry Springer.
Audience Reviews for Napoleon Dynamite
Super Reviewer
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- Deb: Is there anyone else here? I'm trying to save money for college.
- Kip: Your mom goes to college!
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- Napoleon Dynamite: I don't even have any skills.
- Pedro: What do you mean?
- Napoleon Dynamite: You know, like nunchuck skills, bo hunting skills, computer hacking skills. Girls only like guys who have great skills.
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- Trisha: [Trisha's dad] What's what in my driveway?
- Napoleon Dynamite: That's my ride.
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- Napoleon Dynamite: Stay home and eat all the freakin chips Kip!
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- Napoleon Dynamite: Tina, you fat lard, eat your dinner!
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- Napoleon Dynamite: I see your drinking 1%. Does that mean you think you're fat? Cause you're not. You could be drinking whole if you wanted to.
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October 16, 2012:
Jim Carrey in Talks for Loomis FargoHe could star in the upcoming heist comedy from "Napoleon Dynamite" director Jared Hess.
July 23, 2011:
Napoleon Dynamite Gets Animated in New TV ShowThe stars of Napoleon Dynamite reunited Thursday at Comic-Con International for a preview of Fox's...
October 2, 2006:
"Revenge of the Nerds" Remake Aims to Start ProductionEffortlessly proving that Hollywood has officially run out of new ideas ... production is about to...
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