A very overrated comedy!


I've watched this movie 2 times in the past and I think it's an overrated, I didn't even laugh once. It just looks like a stupid boy movie about a nerd with a very boring life and very bad acting story and cinematography. Its way to over rated;this movie might as well be called life of a boring nerd!

reply

I hate the term overrated. You're basically saying "a lot of people like this movie but I dont so they shouldn't like it as much as they do" or "I don't agree with the majority so im going to discredit the movie instead of realizing that my opinion doesn't actually represent the quality of the movie". I personally think this movie is hilarious and it has never failed to make me laugh since it first came out.

reply

Yep. Not everyone likes or hates the same things.

A lot of people get what the makers of this film were trying to accomplish. Since the profit for this film was extraordinary, it's beneficial for people who don't get it -- particularly if they're future filmmakers -- to at least attempt to understand what its appeal is.

reply

[deleted]

How is this film funny? There's barely any humour or acting and every character acts like they're so bored with life not to mention no perkiness.

reply

Define humor... what you find funny might not be funny to me, and vice-versa. This movie did not try to hard to be funny, but it was in its own way. So, you might find Scary movie 3 funny, or Vampires Suck hilarious. I did not. Parodies does not have to be stereotypical. I find the humor in ND to be low key and very subtle. I agree it is not a movie for every one. I know a lot of people who found it unbearable, at the same time I know many others who love this movie and if they find the movie on cable they cannot help it but stop and watch it... Very enjoyable piece of film-making.

Are you not entertained? Are you not entertained? Is this not why you are here?

reply

I don't know what the point of the movie is

reply

[deleted]

There may be some humour in this film. But it is not brilliant.

reply

Read your comments in this thread of yours and it basically comes down to:

- I don't know what the point of the movie is.
- It's not funny.
- Movie is overrated.
- Don't know why people find it funny.

You're definitely a very intelligent person and I praise you for it. 

reply

The only kind of people who wouldn't find a film like NP, and there is no other film like NP, are people like Summer & Don. People who walk around with things going over their heads all the time.

People like this exist in the real world and apparently you're one of them.

reply

The only kind of people who wouldn't find a film like NP, and there is no other film like NP, are people like Summer & Don. People who walk around with things going over their heads all the time.
Don laughed at the same things the audience did, such as Napoleon being in / performing with the Happy Hands Club. He also found Napoleon's reactions and absurd made-up claims funny (Napoleon being oblivious to his own absurdity is what makes it so funny), which is why he liked to egg him on, such as in the hunting wolverines scene. If the Don character were real, he would find this movie hilarious.

I don't dance, tell jokes or wear my pants too tight, but I do know about a thousand songs.

reply

It's called comic irony. Look it up.

reply

Yeah this movie is grotesquely overrated. It's not funny it's just random. Which people sometimes mistake for being funny

reply

Yeah this movie is grotesquely overrated. It's not funny it's just random. Which people sometimes mistake for being funny


Random in what sense? And how can someone mistake something for humor?





All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.

reply

[deleted]

Ur stupid

reply

I've watched this movie dozens of times since it came out. I like a lot of different styles of comedy and this happens to be one of them. The only argument I can make to why this movie is funny is because of how Napoleon exaggerates things, and in his reality, he's the hero/cool guy. Or maybe it's that he isn't aware that he isn't those things and is just himself. Either way it makes for a very quotable movie.

"How was school today Napoleon?"

"Worst day of my life, what do you think."

Also, it's a unique kind of film. There's no good guy or bad guy. There's really not much of a plot of story. But in the end you get to see a person who makes the most of their shortcomings and is able to come through for his friend. He's not the best person in the world. There are no moral dilemmas. Even the people Napoleon is up against are not seen as antagonists. Don and Summer aren't bad. Uncle Rico ends up with a woman in the end. It's just a movie where a normal person got his way. I think it's great in this sense.




All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.

reply

I love this film and while it does make me laugh the thing I love the most is its quirkiness. I don't think it's intended to be a split your sides laughing comedy, so if you watch expecting that you would be disappointed.

reply

i'm not a fan of comedies, but this is one of the few i happen to like. i love the setting and the basic plot.

reply

OVERRATED? it's 6.9.... i'd say severely under-rated.

reply

In my opinion it deserves 4 or 5 rating.

reply

Your opinion is wrong.

We're from the planet Duplon. We are here to destroy you.

reply

I disagree. What do you have to do to understand the humor in this movie?

reply

That's been a mystery since the beginning of comedy. If there was an answer to that, there'd be a lot more rich comedy writers. Comedy, like any other art form is subjective and personal. I almost busted a gut when Rico threw Kip's steak at Napoleon!!

I don't love her.. She kicked me in the face!!

reply

I agree it's pretty bad. It wouldn't have taken a whole lot of skill to write the script. Another example of dumbing down and people buying that it's great comedy.

reply

Well then why don't you jot down a quick script and see how it does?

I don't love her.. She kicked me in the face!!

reply

I could cook something more delicious and nutritious than Macdonalds but it wouldnt get a fraction of their clientele to eat it. That must mean Macdonalds is really good for us eh??

reply

You say you can. Talk is cheap.

I don't love her.. She kicked me in the face!!

reply

So the merit of this movie comes down entirely to whether you think I can write a better script. That's about as intelligient as the movie itself.

reply

Where did you get an idea like that? You said it wouldn't take a lot of skill to write the script so I challenged you to see what you could come up with. Also, this is light hearted comedy. Why take it as something more?

I don't love her.. She kicked me in the face!!

reply

Where did you get an idea like that? You said it wouldn't take a lot of skill to write the script so I challenged you to see what you could come up with. Also, this is light hearted comedy. Why take it as something more?

I don't love her.. She kicked me in the face!!

reply

Like I'm going to write a script for some shmuck on imbd. You like the movie. I can appreciate that. I think it sucks. You just need to deal with an opinion you don't appreciate.

reply

Like I'm going to write a script for some shmuck on imbd. You like the movie. I can appreciate that. I think it sucks. You just need to deal with an opinion you don't appreciate.

reply

Like I'm going to write a script for some shmuck on imbd. You like the movie. I can appreciate that. I think it sucks. You just need to deal with an opinion you don't appreciate.

reply

What's happening?

...then whoa, differences...

reply

Like I'm going to write a script for some shmuck on imbd. You like the movie. I can appreciate that. I think it sucks. You just need to deal with an opinion you don't appreciate.

reply

So you're not getting it. I don't care one iota whether you like the movie or not. You criticized the script with the attitude that you can do better. Like I said, talk is cheap. Degrading yourself to name calling is also cheap.

I don't love her.. She kicked me in the face!!

reply

So you're not getting it. I don't care one iota whether you like the movie or not. You criticized the script with the attitude that you can do better. Like I said, talk is cheap. Degrading yourself to name calling is also cheap.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yes you do care that I don't like it. You'll pick an argument with anyone who criticises. I simply agreed with the OP that it's boring and unfunny. And yes, the script wasn't labored over because there isn't too much dialogue - just a lot of dopey looks with long moments of silence with nothing funny happening.

reply

No more name calling?

You'll pick an argument with anyone who criticises.


Really? Can you please back that claim up? I haven't argued with anyone other than you regarding this film and there's A LOT of criticism.

Yes you do care that I don't like it.


Nope. I'm taking exception with you acting as if you know about the writer's skill/talent/ability etc. and/or how much was or wasn't "labored over". He could have spent YEARS on it and thought out every syllable for all you know. Whatever the case may be, it's one of the most profitable low budget movies of all time. On a $400.000 budget, it grossed over 46 MILLION DOLLARS. That's a 5,667% return. I'd say that says something about the writer.

Watch "3-Iron (Bin-jip)" if you think dialogue is indicative of a what make a good writer. The main character doesn't say one word and his love interest says three words. It is a powerful, moving story.

I don't love her.. She kicked me in the face!!

reply

Really? Can you please back that claim up? I haven't argued with anyone other than you regarding this film and there's A LOT of criticism.

You challenged the OP with an argument, which would be a raging one like this by now if he dared to continue opposing your views. He just let it go. You've picked an argument with me over a casual comment about the script issuing me an order to write a better script!!??. It's a public forum pal and anyone is entitled to post a differing opinion, but when you come on with a big sense of entitlement like that - well expect an insult.

Whatever the case may be, it's one of the most profitable low budget movies of all time. On a $400.000 budget, it grossed over 46 MILLION DOLLARS. That's a 5,667% return. I'd say that says something about the writer.

So your reasoning is something is good because everyone else likes it. If it makes money that assures its quality. The Kardashians and Paris Hilton are genius than. (You didn't seem to get the earlier Macdonalds comparison)

Watch "3-Iron (Bin-jip)" if you think dialogue is indicative of a what make a good writer. The main character doesn't say one word and his love interest says three words. It is a powerful, moving story.

Film, like music, doesnt need to have every space filled with sound provided it's done with style. It's pointless, awkward silence that I don't like. I did stipulate 'long moments of silence with nothing funny happening'. And this is a comedy.

I can accept that you think this movie is funny. You won't accept that I don't.

Get over it.

reply

My only communication with the OP:

That's been a mystery since the beginning of comedy. If there was an answer to that, there'd be a lot more rich comedy writers. Comedy, like any other art form is subjective and personal. I almost busted a gut when Rico threw Kip's steak at Napoleon!!


How is that a challenge? He asked a question and I answered it with what can be summed up as "I don't know".

I never even stipulated that it was "good" only that it's success is a reflection of the writer.

I have not uttered one word about you not liking the movie. YOU need to accept THAT!

I don't love her.. She kicked me in the face!!

reply

That's all you've argued about! You're trying beat me into liking this movie. FFS

reply

Example please.

I don't love her.. She kicked me in the face!!

reply

Show me where I said anything of the sort, or about it even being a good movie. I have discussed the writer. That's it! You have so far, had no argument whatsoever or even addressed my questions. You just keep beating on a dead horse saying I'm trying to get you to like it, which is a total lie.

I don't love her.. She kicked me in the face!!

reply

Everyone can do better, and those who actually write scripts, have done better a thousand times since this film came out. I have only recently seen it since it was highly rated on IMDB, but I only laughed a bit at the scene where ND's brother breaks the plastic bowel while testing it.

I think this film is truly dull and not funny.

reply

Where did you get an idea like that? You said it wouldn't take a lot of skill to write the script so I challenged you to see what you could come up with. Also, this is light hearted comedy. Why take it as something more?

I don't love her.. She kicked me in the face!!

reply

I like light hearted comedy. That's why I watched it. To me it's brain dead comedy. I don't like it. I think the jokes/writing are poor. Any movie you don't like and criticise?

reply

Absolutely but I don't pretend to know anything about the writer(s) etc. I always hear things like "lazy writing" and other such nonsense. Now really, does that even make sense? The movie industry is one of the most competitive businesses in the world. What kind of writer (especially a struggling one) would say: "You know, I'm just gonna be a lazy slacker in my writing but I sure hope I can produce a blockbuster." I'd bet that the vast majority try REAL hard.

I don't love her.. She kicked me in the face!!

reply

The fact that one of the two writers in this is also the director speaks for itself. And while this is not uncommon for these teen dork flicks, Napolean Dynamite is really cashing in on Bill & Ted, Dumb & Dumber, Road Trip and a host of others. The directors who double as writers know they don't have to bust a vessel with the script as such because there is (or was) a market. They can do it more with good obviously good Direction, Casting, Cimematography, closeups on facial features, Locations, Music etc. Those are all crucial anyway but the writing isn't top of priorities like it would be in other genres. And while I can appreciate the silliness of those mentioned, I just didn't find this funny.

reply

I totally understand and I don't begrudge you for it.

I don't love her.. She kicked me in the face!!

reply

Napolean Dynamite is really cashing in on Bill & Ted, Dumb & Dumber, Road Trip and a host of others. The directors who double as writers know they don't have to bust a vessel with the script as such because there is (or was) a market. They can do it more with good obviously good Direction, Casting, Cimematography, closeups on facial features, Locations, Music etc. Those are all crucial anyway but the writing isn't top of priorities like it would be in other genres. And while I can appreciate the silliness of those mentioned, I just didn't find this funny.


I suppose it is to your credit you didn't "laugh your ass off" at this movie as for the others you mentioned. But Napoleon Dynamite is not really, in its essence, a comedy. For you to put it in the same genre as Bill and Ted or Dumb and Dumber demonstrates you do not really understand this film or the main character.

reply

The steak to the face was hilarious! I too love this movie. As a previous poster mentioned, this movie has a lot of subtle humor which I'm sure just went right over a lot of people's heads. Like that huge block of cheese that kip is shredding over his nachos when Napoleon calls him from school. That had me and my kids rolling. Another scene that had us laughing was Napoleon feeding Tina casserole. Llamas eat casserole? He calls her a "fat lard" then scoops up big spoonfuls of the casserole and splats it on the ground. Lol! I love this kind of weird/awkward humor. Reminds me of some kids I went to school with that everyone thought was awesome because of how awkwardly hilarious they acted.

reply

"this movie has a lot of subtle humor which I'm sure just went right over a lot of people's heads" Oh no, I can completely guarantee you that it did not go over my head. I fully understood the "attempts" at humor. I simply did not think those attempts at humor succeeded.

"Reminds me of some kids I went to school with that everyone thought was awesome because of how awkwardly hilarious they acted" So would ask during what time period you attended school ?

I enjoy clever comedy, there is nothing clever here. It's basically as you mentioned "awkward" events designed to get a reaction out of the lesser intelligent sector of humanity, which unfortunately represents 90% of United States society.

reply

[deleted]