So many people have commented here on what a masterpiece this movie was that I finally saw it. Thank goodness I didn't pay any money. It was O.K. It wasn't "Oh my God, that was so excellent!" The end redeemed it for me, but for about half the movie I just wanted to see the guy shot & put out of his misery. Perhaps that was the point . . . ?

I actually thought it was a very funny, well-written, and original movie. The highlight wasn't really Napoleon himself, but rather all the assorted kooks around him. The uncle was spot-on and hilarious.

I think this movie suffered from over-hype, mainly because the myspace crowd and 13 year olds latched onto it so much. Which in hindsight, is much better than them making some cult movie out of a Lindsay Lohan or Hilary Duff vehicle. At least they are smart enough to recognize a truly original film and give me some hope for the future.

But yeah, it gets to the point where, with a movie like that, you finally get around to seeing it and figure it'll be some huge life-changing event and you're like, that's it? That's what all the fuss is about?

The same thing sorta happened last night to me. I finally rent 'The Departed' on DVD and I enjoyed it, thought it was a good movie, but for all the critical hype, Scorsese still scored better in my book with Goodfellas and Casino. I even thought that his meticulous historical recreations in Gangs of New York and The Aviator made for superior films to The Departed. Just my opinion - don't kill me people.

I came very close to turning Napoleon Dynamite off after about 40 minutes.  It was so so difficult to summon any sympathy for the main character.  I was hoping someone would come along and bash him silly then take him to a barber to get a decent hair style. 

I have to admit though that the characters kind of grew on me.  And yes, I liked the uncle character.  He was quite funny.  I've met people sort of like him.  There is also a scene later in the movie with Napoleon's "girlfriend" & the uncle that totally took me by surprise. 

If I were reviewing it I'd give it 3 cookies.  I wouldn't rave about how totally amazing it was . . . because it wasn't.  It was clever & the characters around Napoleon were interesting.  The laughs are more like chuckles.  I did laugh out loud once though during one exchange between Napoleon and his uncle. 

I used to call Leonardo di Caprio Leonard duh Crappio.  Ever since I saw The Aviator though I have had a different opinion of him.  I think he is much improved.   I haven't seen Blood Diamond, but I would like to.  The one bit of advice I'd give to Leonardo is to lay off the accents.  Whether he's doing Irish or S. African it always comes off as an affected.   

Napoleon dynamite was enjoyable in hind sight. While watching it I don't think I laughed out loud once, but then if you take the movie as a whole and reflect on it, it makes me chuckle pretty good. I think that and it's quotability is what made it such a resounding success. I'd agree with the A-Man and give it 3 cookays....



..... A-Man doesn't stand for Assman.

It's a love it or hate it movie.

Either you understand it, or you don't.

I can totally understand that many people hate it. I could do the same if I had a different mind set.