Nachoooooooooooo!

I enjoyed this movie! I just checked rotten tomatoes and I’m seeing low ratings and I think the problem is people are expecting Napoleon Dynamite. Now that would be a fair comparison if the movie were called Napoleon Dynamite Dos or something, but it’s not. I think because director/writer Jared Hess along with his wife are mostly responsible for the humor and style of the movie (and also they are the reason why we have a Napoleon Dynamite) is the cause for the comparisons to ND.

Also it’s hard to judge a style after two movies but you can begin to see Jared’s style and I love it. I feel the same way I felt the same when I first saw Bottle rocket and then Rushmore. Hess creates another awesome *world* by immersing the viewer deep into local the community and creating characters we can both relate to, sympathise, laugh at, love and thoroughly enjoy. The music (can you say ELF-MAN!) and cinematography are similar to ND and the use of creative plating in food (and I guess the one time someone uses chap-stick!). Beyond stylistic / look issues (and the fact both are comedies and silly) the two movies are not intended to be the same.

Jack Black! It’s no secret I’m a huge JB fan. Nacho wouldn’t be the same movie with out him. He adds his much of his flare to the character while keeping it within the PG / Hess guidelines. For me, Nacho is a more natural JB compared to the repressed school of rock JB (but no where near the Mr Show/Tenacious D, JB). Along with his fantastic voice and clever song writing JB is able to punctuate a scene (and often push laughter over the edge) by over acting, using his facial expressions, rapid eye movements and awkward stances (which often play up his normally unappealing physique). Believe me when he’s unmasked (no spoiler!)… you’ll thoroughly enjoy the face! Jack Black is simply amazing and his energy is over the top while keeping it PG.

I’d have preferred this movie was released as Indie rather than wide as it’d probably get better reviews and not just be a quick buck for the studio trying to capitalize on the success of ‘school of rock’ with ‘the director of ND.’ The theater was full of middle school / high school aged kids who were there to see Napoleon Dynamite 2 because I’m sure MTV told them to go and enjoy (which many didn’t seem to get it fully anyway, they were quite antsy). I also predict that next weeks box office numbers will go down quite a bit once the big secret is let out (you see it’s really not Napoleon Dynamite 2!)

I’m mostly concerned because don’t want to see pop culture, fame and promises of fortune to ruin a good director/writer like Jared Hess (and wife Jerusha) because I am becoming a loyal fan and I can’t wait to see the next movie. We need more directors like Wes Anderson and Hess, they add a great style you can look forward to and enjoy when it is delivered (yes I do enjoy the life aquatic quite a bit!)

PS The new Aardman/Dreamworks venture looks to be interesting, saw the trailer, immediately recognized the eyes and was intrigued to see a little Aardman logo at the end. Will they be able to help Dreamworks reach Pixar quality? We’ll see!