It's a slow drawn-out type of humor that you can't explain. But I think it is more sincere than normal Hollywood humor. I know people like ND, they talk and act just like him; they act like every single thing you ask them is a pain in their ass, and blatantly lie about stuff, thinking that you believe it.
I love some mainstream Hollywood comedies, but they are Hollywood, bigger than life comedies. Even though Indy comedies are often surreal, they are grounded in telling a story about a character rooted in real life. Rushmore, Royal Tenenbaums, Life Aquatic, Swingers, Fletch, and Made (sorry I haven't seen bottle rocket) are like this too. The situation may be "out-there," but I know people like the characters in everyone of those movies.
My wife-to-be hates every movie I just mentioned and it drives me crazy. But some people just don't like this type of humor, I don't know if they don't identify with it or what, but some people just hate it. There is no use arguing...

The kind of humor that's funny if you're drunk, or just very easily amused.

Starting?

Well I'm not easily amused nor have I ever been drunk or high, yet I found this to be the funniest movie of the year, I even enjoyed it more than The Life Aquatic. I've probably watched it 10 times, and it has yet to get old, and in fact as only gotten better with each viewing. I keep finding little things here and there that I missed.

May I add, and I've probably said this before, that I see no real reason to compare this to Wes Anderson movies, other than they are all off-kilter with a bit of a retro look.

I think the movie is great, lots of dry humor, more realistic than many of the teen flicks that come out now-a-days.

that kind of logic is reassuring if you don't have the attention span required to wait for a good laugh that rewards you for the time spent, or you are shallow enough to only be amused by slapstick pie fucking or wrenches to the face. Not that i didn't laugh at those too, but it shows a lack of respect to criticize others for what they think is funny because you are unwilling or unable to see the entertainment of being amused while a story is being told instead of just seeing something funny for 90 minutes then it is over. these are films that are as much about telling a story as they are about making you laugh. If you don't like it fine, don't watch it. But to label it as "funny if you're drunk, or just very easily amused" is incorrect and shows you to be narrow-minded.
Atleast put an "I think" infront of your statement, then it is presented as opinion instead of stated as a fact discrediting those of us who enjoyed it...

i venture away from the Other forum to read about NP and i read this post! seems like i have been ALL the fun!

What the hell, ive been hearing all these rumors that the actor that played Napoleon died. Anyone heard these rumors.

He's up in heaven with Wallace Shawn and Audrey Seiler. May he rest in peace :(

What?!? Where did you hear that? :(

All my CoWorkers were saying it today and on Imdb under his name there is comments of the rumors.

Ummm he didn't die... whoever started those "rumors" is a frickin' idiot... Gosh!

One of the more pointless films I've watched in a long time. I mostly just sat there thinking "what the hell?". That can be a good thing in a movie like Donnie Darko or Rushmore, but for some reason the weirdness in this one just didn't resonate with me at all.

The emperor may have clothes, but I sure as hell didn't see them.

just saw this movie off a library copy. it was very - as chess put it - "what the hell?" I did laugh at various points in the movie but overall, I thought it was boring. I'm not quite sure I get it. I liked his dance moves on stage though.

I watched this on my flight back from Hawaii and had the same reaction.

"What the hell?"

What the hell was the point of this movie?

What the hell was supposed to be funny about it?

What the hell about it generated so much hype?

I guess it's a case of one person's trash being another treasure, but definitely in the trash heap for me.

1/5.

It all comes down to if you know or knew someone like Napolean Dynamite in your own personal life. Many people have known people just like the characters in ND. I knew a few myself in HS.

There was a kid or two like that at my high school (though not to that extreme), still doesn't make the movie remotely entertaining for me.

By that logic you'd have to know a serial killer to enjoy Se7en. :D

It obviously doesn't apply to everyone, but I've found that many who loved this movie, quote it, and just flat out enjoyed it knew people just like the characters in the film. Then on the other hand, I've found that many who hate it so much, just flat out never knew anyone like that, and to a point refuse to believe such people are "real".

Just my experience from asking tons of people what they thought of the flick.

Humor is subjective. People I know don't get humor like on Scrubs or Arrested Development either but that doesnt mean it isn't good. I just dont think some people get it.
It was So much better than most of the comedies released aimed at a target audience of 12.

I didn't think it totally as bad as you made it, but I had the same questions too, but I of course also didn't find Anchorman funny at the slightest either.

The movie was humorous, but that is about as far as ill go with it. I knew/know people like that, but the movie still didnt do much for me. The only real laugh out loud moment i had is when he got hit in the face with a steak. Other than that, it was rather blah.

In a funny-surreal-sick kind of way, I thought the funniest part was the cow scene.

I don't find stuff like Anchorman funny at all either. Comedies aren't my favorites by any means especially the "stupid funny" movies like that.

I thought it was funny - but I definitely think it's like Swingers or Office Space or The Office or Curb Your Enthusiasm in that it takes multiple viewings for many people to appreciate it. There are so many little things that just get more amusing each time you see it. Basically there are so many little nuances that you miss the first time around, and when you see them you laugh hysterically. The more you think about the film, and remember funny quotes, the more funny the film becomes. This type of humor is slow-acting, but is the kind that lasts. :)

I simply love this movie. Every time I put it on I find something new to laugh about. One of the best films from 2004

Great Character , mostly stupid movie. What do you expect from MTV flims.....

Clearly it could've been great, was funny at times. But to me it just seemed forced like it was trying way to hard to be some cool indie movie. MTV gerneration manufacturing pop stars, now they're trying to manufacture indie movies....how nice.

To be fair to the movie, MTV only bought into the distribution of the film, in partnership with Fox Searchlight and Paramount Classics. They didn't produce it or have any say in the script, casting, etc.

To me, it is a pure indie movie, because it doesn't care if it looks like or acts like other films out there. If you didn't like that, you are entitled to that opinion, but personally, I don't see how it was "trying too hard to be some cool indie movie:" it just was what it was.

One of the worst films of 2004. Not funny at all, and sure as hell not cool or hip that many are saying it is. Another 90 minute snooze fest.

Despite the fact that I wrote this 9 months ago, I would just like to point out that I was right, and Scott Shelton was wrong.

Go me. Oh yes, go me. ;)

I would say that anything mass marketed at Hot Topic is far from a "CULT" item. ;)

Okay, while Napoleon Dynamite is a hit with all the kiddies and teens, I still don't think the mainstream has fully embraced it yet. Let's see if FOX ever tries to lure Hess over with more money to make a follow-up of sorts.

[Now if there is a sequel and if it does like a $50 million weekend, then we can say the mainstream embraced it. :) Actually, I'd predict it make more than $50 million....]

And I'd like to argue that Donnie Darko is still a cult favorite, despite having products based off the film at Hot Topic. ;)

Same applies to Invader Zim. :)

I'm still hesitant to say anything that is in Hot Topic is anywhere near cult status. It just feels wrong to say it.

Besides, with a Fox Double dipping in the future and considering how many units it sold on dvd.. I'm pretty confident in saying the mainstream public accepted it very well.

The movie is like a joke with no punchline. It is mildly entertaining, but it is rather pointless. In spite of that, I catch myself quoting the thing from time to time.

I'm 40-years-old and this is one of my favorite comedies of all time. My senior citizen parents actually liked it as well (which honestly surprised me). Maybe you are right that more teenagers are into it, but it's not just for the tots (that would be kiddies, not taters).

I watched this for the first time tonight, and i'm not sure who produced or directed it but i'm thinking of suing then from wasting 1½ hours of my life. I kept waiting for it to get funny.. and waiting.. and waiting... i'm still waiting. :(

More proof that this movie is only funny to those people who weren't nerds in high school.;)

My next door neighbor is a pretty big weirdo/loser and he reminds alot of us of Napoleon. He watched it for the first time a couple weeks ago and hated it 'cause Napoleon reminded my friend of himself too much. So yes, for those who didn't like it, it MAY hit too close to home :)

I don't love it as much as the masses do, but it's definitely a good, unique, entertaining movie (for the most part). Office Space, Royal Tenenbaums, Swingers are much higher on my list.

Well you may be on to something there.. or perhaps it was just a really crappy movie! :D

Best movie ever!

I felt pretty much the same way when I watched it a few months ago. An utterly pointless, boring and dumb movie.