Pedro Sanchez and Napoleon Dynamite

Let's assume that the movie world is our very own Solar System. The sun is the place where the blockbusters are and Pluto is where the obscure and failed ones are. In between them is where the rest falls in. Once in a while, some foreign object, like an asteroid or a comet from the outer space will unexpectedly enter the system, causing havoc and put the astronomers in a blissful excitement. One such foreign object is Napoleon Dynamite.

Okay, let's forget about the metaphorical explanation, Napoleon Dynamite is one mind-blowing movie. The story has no definitive plot, but a series of subplots that forms the story of a high school student in Preston, Idaho named Napoleon Dynamite. It's unconventionally interesting and funny, with the type of humor you would find in some independent films. The story centers around the adventures of the main protagonist, Napoleon (played by Jon Heder), an eccentric and socially-inept kid and also his equally-eccentric friends and relatives. Napoleon is the type high school kid living in the fantasy of his own world, minding his own business until something comes in and change the course of his life. Reminds me a lot of some of the people I meet back in school.

To me, the type of humor used in this movie may not cater to most people, the stupid and strange behaviour the characters show will have many viewers thinking "What the f*** was that all about??". Coupled with an easy-going and somewhat cheerful soundtrack, it's paced at a speed that allows you to digest the bits of the story easily. Napoleon's demeanor will make you think that this guy is dumb or really need some serious psychiatric help, but who cares, its just great to see Napoleon and the rest go about their lives dealing with mundane things like friendship, love, reality and self-improvement. They're all smart in their own ways. One thing that I find interesting about the characters in the movie is that most of them are not afraid to do what feel like doing, eventhough they will only end up embarrasing themselves, which is the fun part. The dialogue itself, although slow, is the highlight, simple and funny.

Anyone reading this should give this movie a go. Freaking unusual but it's those movies that only comes out once in a blue moon, just like the comets in our Solar System. And it's family-friendly too...