Napoleon Dynamite [WS] [Blu-ray]

Director: Jared Hess Jared Hess

Overview

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 winning campaign and defeat popular girl Summer (Haylie Duff). Also starring The Drew Carey Show's Diedrich Bader, Napoleon Dynamite premiered at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival.

Product Details

Release Date:	02/03/2009
UPC:	0024543563594
Original Release:	2004
Rating:	PG
Source:	BUENA VISTA HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround, DTS 5.1-Channel Surround Sound]
Language:	English
Time:	1:30:00
Sales rank:	825

Special Features

Outtakes and deleted scenes wothj commentary by Jared Hess, Jeremy Coon and Jon Heder; "Peluca" original short film; Audio commentary by director/co-writer Jared Hess, producer Jeremy Coon and actor Jon Heder; Cast commentary by Aaron Ruell, Efren Ramirez, Jon Gries, and Tina Majorino; The making of "The Wedding of the Century"; On Location: Napoleon Dynamite; World Premiere - Jared Hess documentary; Napoleon Sightings; MTV On-Air promo spots; Still gallery

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Jon Heder	Napoleon Dynamite
Jon Gries	Uncle Rico
Aaron Ruell	Kip,Girl on Bike
Efren Ramirez	Pedro
Diedrich Bader	Rex
Tina Majorino	Deb
Sandy Martin	Grandma
Haylie Duff	Summer
Trevor Snarr	Don
Shondrella Avery	LaFawnduh
Bracken Johnson	Randy
Carmen Brady	Starla
Ellen Dubin	Ilene
J.C. Cunningham	Jock No.1
James Smooth	Jock No. 2
Brian Petersen	Lance
Brett Taylor	Nathan
Tom Lefler	Principal Svadean,Principal Svadean
Elizabeth Miklavcic	Renae
Scott Thomas	Sheldon
Loria Badelli	Shoney
Emily Kennard	Trisha
Jamen Gunnell	Vern
Nanette Young	Corrina
Walter Platz	Cashier
Nano De Silva	Cholo No. 1,Cholo No. 2
Pat Donahue	Farmer
Dale Critchlow	Lyle
Tom Adams	FFA Judge No. 1,Farm Boy No. 1
Eldean Holliday	FFA Judge No. 2
Arlando Larsen	FFA Judge No. 3
Mary Heers	Teacher
Jake Visser	Farm Boy No. 2
Brady Stokes	Farm Boy No. 3
Thedora Peeterborg	Secretary No. 1
Becky Demke	Secretary No. 2
James Stevens	Jock #2,Actor
Loria Badali	Shoney
Emily Dunn	Trisha
John Swihart	Composer

Technical Credits

Jared Hess

Jared Hess	Director,Screenwriter,Screenwriter
Jeremy Coon	Producer,Executive Producer
Sean C. Covel	Producer,Producer
Jory Weitz	Casting,Executive Producer,Producer
Chris Wyatt	Producer
Matt Davis	Sound/Sound Designer

Editorial Reviews

Oddballs and underdogs are common fodder for comedies, but audiences had never seen a hero quite like the title character of this quirky indie hit from first-time filmmaker Jared Hess. Another newcomer, Jon Heder, delivers a truly unforgettable performance as Napoleon, a social outcast with a wild 'fro who lives in a state of constant exasperation at a world that just doesn’t understand him; his protracted sighs are consistently amusing. Napoleon lives with his freewheeling grandma and his even nerdier older brother, Kip (Aaron Ruel), in the rural town of Preston, Idaho. He endures constant torture from bullies at his high school, and he gets no sympathy at home from Kip, who spends most days "chatting online with hot babes." When his grandmother takes ill, Napoleon's uncle Rico (John Gries) is sent to take care of the boys but spends most of his time hatching get-rich schemes and reliving his '80s salad days. The film itself, though set today, seems to be stuck culturally in the Reagan years. Life takes a turn when Napoleon meets two fellow outsiders: desperately shy Deb (Tina Majorino), and transfer student Pedro (Efren Ramirez). Spearheading Pedro's bid for student body president against snobby cheerleader Summer Wheatley (Haylie Duff, sister of Hilary) may be just the thing to give Napoleon the self-confidence he needs. What Napoleon Dynamite may lack in narrative, it more than makes up for with little moments of hilarity: an action figure dangled out of a school bus on a string; Kip decked out in gangsta rap attire; Napoleon's triumphant solo dance number. But the biggest laughs come from the highly quotable dialogue, which eschews profanity in favor of "gosh" and "darn." The deliberately flat line readings only add to the film's quirky charm. If all this sounds a little too ironic -- à la Todd Solondz -- it isn't. Hess likes his misfit characters and injects the film with a healthy dose of heart. Napoleon Dynamite gets funnier every time you see it, and repeated viewings are almost a given.