Heck Yes, You Should like Napoleon Dynamite

At the time of its modest release in 2004, Napoleon Dynamite was a low-budget independent film. But it surpassed most expectations and struck mainstream gold by gaining huge popularity with viewers of all ages.

I admit that when watching the movie for the first time, it's a little puzzling. It's as if you're waiting for something else to happen, but it doesn't - it just is what it is throughout. But even where it's puzzling, it manages to be incredibly funny. I can say personally that I've never experienced a movie like this - before or since.

A majority of the viewers find the basic setting of the movie odd and difficult to date, as it revolves around life in a small rural farmland in the West. The town itself appears decades behind the times. And in the arena of high school, the kids considered most popular and cool would be at best widely overlooked in a more sophisticated social setting. But writers Jared and Jerusha Hess do an excellent job of familiarizing the viewer with this foreign way of life, then go beyond that to make us appreciate the very real quirkiness in the characters.

We are so used to movie characters not acting the way people really act, and this is one of the many differences that sets Napoleon Dynamite apart from the rest. In real life, people don't give profound speeches in causal social settings, or have a quick, witty response to every question. No, often times the people with which we associate speak in as few words as possible and do so with little animation. This is the type of genuine interaction you'll see between Napoleon and the other characters.

Napoleon Dynamite is the name of the main character in the movie, played by Jon Heder. He is a weird adolescent, obviously challenged in the areas of style and social skills - basically the epitome of a nerd. He is credited with some of the funniest quotes, as he communicates the only way he knows how.
The movie outlines this kid's life, and the people in it. His older brother Kip (Aaron Ruell) and uncle Rico (John Gries) are just older and different versions of weird, and what most would consider losers. Though they are also a great source of comedic value. Napoleon's only friend, Pedro (Efrin Ramirez) is another odd soul, which makes for an interesting friendship. They exhange some great dialogue.

The basic premise of the story has this young man dealing with common issues for someone his age: liking a girl, trying to make money, going to a dance, dealing with bullies, etc. Only the original way all this is relayed to the viewer is uniquely entertaining. I know that I laughed more watching this than I had in a long time. I've watched it several times, and will again. And while it may not be a factor for much of the audience, I'm so impressed with how clean it is. It proves that profanity, nudity and gratuitous violence is not necessary to achieve box office success.

There is no other Napoleon, and his character was brilliantly created. He will stay with you long after you meet him, and your life will be a little bit better for having experienced this strangely hilarious movie.