Barnes & Noble

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. Bill Pearis

All Movie Guide

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. Matthew Tobey

Washington Post

Jon Heder in the magnificent Napoleon Dynamite, is one of the most winning movie creations in years. Stephen Hunter

Washington Post

I laughed. And I laughed primarily over Heder's hilarious performance. You ain't seen nothing till you've seen Napoleon attack that tether ball. Desson Thomson

Dallas Observer

It's charming. It's hilarious. It is perhaps the most beautifully crafted, lovingly rendered portrait of extreme geekitude ever to grace the screen. It's Napoleon Dynamite. Melissa Levine

Product Details

• UPC: 024543240433
• Source: 20TH CENTURY FOX
• Region Code: 1
• Presentation: Wide Screen
• Language: English
• Editions: Special Edition
• Time: 1:34:00
• Sales Rank: 4,624

This DVD is also available as part of a box set:

• Funny Guy Collection
• Fox Searchlight Spotlight Series, Vol. 1
• Fox Searchlight Spotlight Series, Vol. 3

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