Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #418 in DVD
• Released on: 2005-04-25
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Formats: Anamorphic, Dubbed, PAL
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: Arabic, Bulgarian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hungarian, Icelandic, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish
• Dubbed in: German, Spanish
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 86 minutes

Synopsis
Jared Hess makes an unforgettable directorial debut with NAPOLEON DYNAMITE, a hilarious, tender, and 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 favourite 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.

Customer Reviews

Not Dynamite, Not Bad.
I always feel a bit awkward about giving out three stars- it can seem like you're ambivalent enough to not make it worth reviewing the item. It's just that I liked this film. Not in a 'laugh out loud' way, or in a 'watch it again and again' way, just in an occasional chuckle kind of way.

Jon Heder is a much, much better turn in Blades of Glory where he has Will Ferrell to 'bounce' personalities with. In this film he lacks that dynamic, meaning he can just come across as a weird loner, which can land as sad rather than funny depending on your sense of humour. However, it's not offensive humour, but it is very subtle and if you don't get it it doesn't mean you're lacking something. I do like subtle humour, but I must admit I do prefer something a little more demonstrative myself.

This is another 'try before you buy' one I think. If you've a friend who has it then try and get a lend before you choose to buy, because you do run the risk of finding it a bit bland. If you go into it with an open mind then you're giving it what it deserves, and if it fails to impress you then it's not your fault.

A weird film with a good heart, plus some good laughs too
The humour in this film threw me a bit, I've only discovered Jon Heder in the past few months, there's something about him that I really like, I personally think that both School for scoundrels and The Benchwarmers are both funnier and have more going on in them, plus Jon Heder is given more material in which to use his undoubted comical talent.

I guess the humour here is subtle and understated in many ways and as others have said you'll either get this or not and there's no real in between.

Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite) puts in a fine performance, using dry humour very well, Efren Ramirez (Pedro) whilst not given a huge amount of screen time also performs very well, with good support from the rest of the cast.

This film only cost $400,000 to make, but so far has taken over $158,000,000 worldwide, it's an enjoyable comedy, I did not find it hilarious, but I'm glad I purchased it all the same, definately an acquired taste, so maybe best to hire first to see if you get it or not.

Napoleon Dynamite.?
High school?
If you're the type of person who laughs at anything random, then you are bound to love this film. Napoleon has many friends, including, Kip, Pedro & the family Llama Tina. Kip thinks things are getting "Very serious now!" where-as Napoleon and Pedro run for the class president.
With no plot and silly catch phrases.

Jon Heder (Napoleon) takes the role of Napoleon into his own hands. Makes his own bits up which make the film very funny, and amusing to watch. With his bright ginger afro and his odd clothes, they way he stands will make you want to giggle. When we meet Napoleon he lives with his Grandma and soon she has to go away after hurting herself. So uncle Rico steps in, with his door to door sales.

Napoleon does not care what others think of him, he is a hero in his own mind. Pedro his first friend takes his "date" to the ball. Instead of going mad he thinks nothing of it. The friendship between Napoleon, Pedro & Deb is very sweet; they don't fit into any normal social group.

Some of the things they do involve trying to win there prom dates over by leavening them cakes, also napoleon spends three hours shading on a very unflattering picture for his prom date.


Nothing seems to change in the end of the film. Some people might not even find it amusing, some people do. It depends on what sort of person you are. I found it may have been a waste of 2 hours, but it was worth it. This is not the film you can sit with popcorn or coke. You will be laughing to much to be eatting or drinking.