Napoleon Dynamite (2004)

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.

July 24, 2007 Full Review

J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

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

June 24, 2006 Full Review

Dave Calhoun

Time Out

Top Critic

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.

July 21, 2005 Full Review

Amy Biancolli

Houston Chronicle

Top Critic

The funniest film of the summer.

July 16, 2004 Full Review

Roger Moore

Orlando Sentinel

Top Critic

As slight as the picture is, though, its hero is an indelible creation.

July 16, 2004 Full Review

Rene Rodriguez

Miami Herald

Top Critic

An independent take on a Hollywood tradition, undermined by its cliches but saved by its performances.

July 2, 2004

Tom Long

Detroit News

Top Critic

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.

November 8, 2011 Full Review

Film4

One-of-a-kind high school comedy for the family.

December 26, 2010 Full Review | Comments (2)

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

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.

September 19, 2010 Full Review

Nick Rogers

Suite101.com

too odd to dismiss and often truly funny

August 22, 2010 Full Review

Jay Antani

Cinema Writer

Just incredibly mind-numbing and unfunny...

April 29, 2009 Full Review | Comments (4)

Felix Vasquez Jr.

Cinema Crazed

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

February 10, 2009 Full Review

Peter Canavese

Groucho Reviews

The characters are all weird and nothing much happens in Napoleon Dynamite, yet this droll and understated geek-comedy zings with truth.

October 18, 2008 Full Review

Urban Cinefile Critics

Urban Cinefile

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?

August 7, 2008 Full Review | Comments (4)

Jim Lane

Sacramento News & Review

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.

December 27, 2007 Full Review

Joe Lozito

Big Picture Big Sound

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.

November 2, 2006

Mary Lasse

Christianity Today

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.

May 26, 2006 Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

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

April 1, 2006 Full Review

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.

March 20, 2006 Full Review

Ross Anthony

Hollywood Report Card

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.

January 17, 2006 Full Review

Philippa Hawker

Sydney Morning Herald

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.

July 5, 2005 Full Review

Jason Zingale

Bullz-Eye.com

Leave this one for the dogs.

June 21, 2005 Full Review | Comments (4)

Bill Clark

FromTheBalcony

Functions like an excruciating episode of Jerry Springer.

May 4, 2005 Full Review

Nick Schager

Lessons of Darkness

• 1. Deb: Is there anyone else here? I'm trying to save money for college.
  2. Kip: Your mom goes to college!
  – Submitted by Cody H (3 months ago)
• 1. Napoleon Dynamite: I don't even have any skills.
  2. Pedro: What do you mean?
  3. Napoleon Dynamite: You know, like nunchuck skills, bo hunting skills, computer hacking skills. Girls only like guys who have great skills.
  – Submitted by Cody H (3 months ago)
• 1. Trisha: [Trisha's dad] What's what in my driveway?
  2. Napoleon Dynamite: That's my ride.
  – Submitted by Shen S (8 months ago)
• 1. Napoleon Dynamite: Stay home and eat all the freakin chips Kip!
  – Submitted by Jacob H (9 months ago)
• 1. Napoleon Dynamite: Tina, you fat lard, eat your dinner!
  – Submitted by Baran K (12 months ago)
• 1. 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.
  – Submitted by Domenica D (12 months ago)

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