Movie Review: Napoleon Dynamite

Napoleon Dynamite (Jon Heder) is a teenage underdog, who is comfortable in his own skin. He's a colorful and cockeyed character with an overbite, large glasses, frizzy red hair, irritation with people who annoy him, and throws frequent temper tantrums. This very interesting and creative boy is from Preston High School, Idaho. He spends his free time sketching "ligers," which is a cross between a lion and a tiger, perfecting his tether-ball game, judging cows with the Future Farmers of America, performing sing-a-longs with the Happy Hands Club, practicing his moves with D-Qwon's Dance Grooves, feeding the family Llama, and working at the chicken farm for a dollar an hour. Director John Hess has come up with a story that challenges us to put ourselves in his characters' shoes as we return back to those high school halls where all sorts of pain and humiliation await us, again. His film of high school society in a small town is relatable to almost everyone, making it so popular for today's generation. With its combination of light humor, unemotional characters, and a carefree plot, viewers can't help but laugh at the film's uncomfortable moments.

Napoleon lives with his grandmother (Sandy Martin), who secretly lives a crazy lifestyle riding ATVs on sand dunes with her boyfriend; as well as his 32-year-old brother Kip (Aaron Ruell), who spends a majority of his time attempting to train for a future career as a cage fighter and chatting online with "babes", especially one in particular, LaFawnduh (Shondrella Avery), who he refers to as his soul mate. When their grandmother is injured in a spill at the dunes, their Uncle Rico (Jon Gries) moves in to look after them. Though Kip and Uncle Rico start a business together selling Tupperware and herbal breast enhancers, Napoleon doesn't care for his Uncle too much. Uncle Rico lives in a twilight zone of his glory days back in 1982, when he was denied the chance to become an MVP quarterback just when his team needed him most; so he purchases a mail-order time machine with Kip's help in order to attempt a do-over to make up for his unsuccessful life of get-rich-quick schemes.

Joining Napoleon on his underdog journey through puberty and high school are his friends Pedro (Efren Ramirez), a Mexican newcomer who runs for class president, and Deb (Tina Majorino), a shy, sweet photographer, who Napoleon develops somewhat of a crush for. The three work together to help Pedro beat Summer (Haylie Duff), the school's most popular and attractive girl, in the election for Student Body President, soon after she turns down his invitation on a cake to go to prom with him. Though her catchy slogan: "With me, it will be summer all year round," and little dance number with the Happy Hands Club, intimidated her opponent, Pedro's promise of making "Your wildest dreams come true", along with Napoleon's standing ovation for his unforgettable dance earned Pedro the title of Student Body President. This movie is a celebration to Dorks and outcasts everywhere, proving to each and every viewer that we all have a little underdog inside us somewhere. Napoleon Dynamite will have you laughing out loud and bringing up your favorite quotes in casual conversation. I would rate this film as "flippin sweet", so go out and rent it today "idiot, gosh."