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Review #155 of 365
Film: Nacho Libre [PG] 100 minutes
WIP™ Scale: $10.75
Where Viewed: Bellevue Galleria Stadium 11, Bellevue, WA
When 1st Seen: 16 June 2006
Time: 9:45 p.m.
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Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
Given the cult-classic status of his first major film, Napoleon Dynamite, there was a huge amount of pressure on write/director Jared Hess to repeat the feat. One can only wonder why he chose to focus his attention on semi-profesional wrestling in a small Mexican town and the orphan Friar who decided to make a name for himself in the wresting world as the red and blue-masked Nacho for his second film. Certainly, the subject is just as quirky, but, I would say, it's pretty tough to ever be as good again as your original unless you do something totally different. And, unfortunately, while Nacho Libre obviously has a much larger budget and more well-known cast than Napoliean Dynamite, the the story is very similar. A quirky, outcast orphan played by no one else other than Jack Black is forced by the church-run orphanage into servitude as the cook as he grows up. And, as he grows up, he is indoctrinated and intended to become a priest. He has quirky habits, and exaggerated facial expressions, and peculiar timing with the ladies—in this case, Sister Encarnación, played beautifully and effortlessly by Ana de la Reguera.
There are some really gross scenes in the movie, and there is a shade of impertinence or reduncancy to some others. Jack Black is hilarious, but in a smarmy kind of way. The script is funny, but drives as if it knows the destination and doesn't want to wait a moment longer to get there. The weaknesses in the film include many scenes that could have been edited down to essential elements, some redundancy in the motivations of the lead charactes, and a style too similar to its predacessor.
In the end, Napoleon Dynamite fans will not be totally disappointed, but nearly two hours of Jack Black in spandex was a bit much, and I don't think most will be happy to see the overlap or similarity between the two films. Most people that loved Napoleon D. did because it was unlike anything they'd ever seen. Probably, it would have been wise for Jared Hess to do something completely different. Don't get me wrong, Nacho Libre is a very, very funny film. And it has a lot of heart too. Even so, it is simply not as good as N.D.
When Ignacio/Nacho first sets eyes upon the glowing haloed vision of the nun, it is lust/love at first sight. He dreams of breaking his vows to be with her, and he schemes to win over her affection by making a lot of money wrestling and giving the money to orphanage. To help him in his quest, he enlists Esqueleto (Héctor Jiménez) who plays his role as a character sketch of Jon Heder's Napoleon Dynamite—in fact, either Esqueleto is the Mexican version of Napoleon, or Sr. Jiménez is the Mexican version of Jon Heder. It is difficult to tell which. One thing they both shared was an awkward sense of comedic timing which makes them both extremely funny characters. Unfortunately, Nacho and Esqueleto prove on thing: desire alone to be the greatest living wrestlers is not enough to make them the world's greatest. Far from it. They lose nearly every single match. They still get paid—even the loser gets a cut of the ticket sales, and Nacho uses his share mostly on food for the orphans--oh, and some white patent leather boots. Still, he grows in his discontent for not making a real name for himself in the world of wrestling, winning the heart of Sister Encarnación, and getting the orphans a bus so they can go on field trips."Dynamite fans will not be totally disappointed..."
There are some really gross scenes in the movie, and there is a shade of impertinence or reduncancy to some others. Jack Black is hilarious, but in a smarmy kind of way. The script is funny, but drives as if it knows the destination and doesn't want to wait a moment longer to get there. The weaknesses in the film include many scenes that could have been edited down to essential elements, some redundancy in the motivations of the lead charactes, and a style too similar to its predacessor.
In the end, Napoleon Dynamite fans will not be totally disappointed, but nearly two hours of Jack Black in spandex was a bit much, and I don't think most will be happy to see the overlap or similarity between the two films. Most people that loved Napoleon D. did because it was unlike anything they'd ever seen. Probably, it would have been wise for Jared Hess to do something completely different. Don't get me wrong, Nacho Libre is a very, very funny film. And it has a lot of heart too. Even so, it is simply not as good as N.D.
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Nacho Libre Review-lite [150-word cap]
Given the cult-classic status of Napoleon Dynamite, the pressure to repeat was huge for writer/director Jared Hess. This go-around, he focused on Ignacio, an outcast, chubby, Mexican orphan—irreverent Jack Black--who is forced by his church-run orphanage into servitude as their cook. While growing up, his peculiar habits, exaggerated facial expressions, and out-of-sync timing with the ladies aside, he gets inspired by the lovely Sister Encarnación (Ana de la Reguera) to don the costume of red and blue-masked Nacho, make it big in pro-wrestling, and earn enough money and respect to buy the orphanage a bus for field trips. A few gross, impertinent, or redundant scenes later, he and tag team partner, Esqueleto, are in the ring losing every match. While Jack Black is hilarious--in a smarmy kind of way—and the script is good--though directionless at times--the film needed something more to achieve a lasting following—you guessed it, Napoleon Dynamite!
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