Napoleon Dynamite
I love this film; it’s funny in its own strange way. Napoleon is my favorite; he’s a nerdy kid with a dysfunctional family and that’s what makes him relateable. In high school, I wasn’t popular; I focused on being an individual and being unique, just like Napoleon. I also had to deal with a lot of resentment from other kids from being different, but I think that the trials of high school helped shape me into the person I am today. This film brought back memories of when I was in high school, with the ‘popular’ kids and the average kids and all the conflicts that accompany high school. I think that everyone should be able to relate to one of the characters in this film because it depicts a multitude of personalities. I also enjoyed this film because it was very comedic. The funny parts were somewhat lame and ridiculous, but that’s what I enjoyed. It was funny without being over bearing.
In the film Napoleon and Pedro are dealing with an external conflict, against all odds they are determined to win the class presidency. Napoleon and Pedro are trying to break the cycle, which is the popular kids winning, and they attempt this with some interesting tactics. This conflict within the film is a common issue that all kids deal with throughout high school. There will always be a struggle between the popular kids and the ‘weird’ kids. I think that Napoleon is also dealing with some personal internal conflicts. I think that throughout the film, Napoleon is trying to find himself and his identity. Napoleon feels as though he doesn’t fit in with his family and he struggles with that, but it’s obvious throughout the film that he builds and finds his inner confidence and becomes his own person.
All of the characters in this film are created to be unique and to depict a certain type of person. The characters are created through appearance, their dialogue, their actions and reactions. Napoleon Dynamite is the nerdy kid that no one knows or pays any attention to. He wears big glasses, has a messy red afro, he has buck teeth, he slouches, he’s monotone, and he wears old clothing, like his famous moon boots. When he speaks he sounds uneducated, monotone, and he has a slight lisp. He acts uncoordinated and clumsy. All of these aspects help shape his character. I think this makes the characters more interesting and more complex. Napoleon is not the only character that is put together to encompass the whole package of who he is meant to be, but all the characters are depicted this way.
This film has the stereotypical high school sub groups. Summer and her friends are the popular kids. They think they own the school, are more important, and privileged then the other kids. There are the outcasts, like Napoleon, who are invisible to everyone else and just get through high school by staying out of the way and keeping to themselves, while enduring the embarrassment of being the brunt of the popular kid’s jokes and pranks. Then there are the ethnical kids, like Pedro, who are shunned for being different and are ridiculed for their beliefs and practices. All of the kids in the film are what you would expect to see at any high school.
This film had some ironic scenes and character relationships. First, it was ironic that Kip, a middle aged, unemployed, scrawny computer nerd became involved with a voluptuous black female. Not only did they build an online relationship, but they met in person and unexpectedly things went well. Kip slowly transformed into a wannabe gangster, but this new identity made him comfortable with himself and it strengthened his relationship with LaFawnduh. It was also ironic that Napoleon and Pedro were able to win the class presidency. Against all odds, Napoleon’s solo dance number won over his peers and lead to his and Pedro’s victory.
I would not change a thing about this film, it was funny and it kept my attention. It allowed me to reflect on my past high school experiences, the good and the bad. It also allowed me to compare and contrast myself to Napoleon. I really enjoyed every aspect of this film, from the characters to the plot. My favorite part was the ending because it was a happy one. I enjoy happy endings because it gives me hope that we can all overcome the trials set before us. If we are dedicated like Napoleon, then we too can win our fights.
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