First, I think this is part of a new generation of movies , like "Welcome to the Dollhouse" and "Elephant" (Of course that one was no comedy) that are coming out of a whole new way of thinking about high school and the experiences of teenagers. Nothing like the John Hughes version of adolescence where the nerds were really just artsy and different and the rich kids spoiled, sexually active and seemingly without adult supervision. I was in high school in 1988 and I can tell you this is a more honest look at life at Bayside High in Queens than any John Hughes movie of the time. (Maybe everyone is just being more honest with themselves these days. That is why my kids are watching "Family Guy" while in the 80's we were watching "Smurfs.") This movie even looks ambiguous time-wise. Although the give away is the uncle who lives in 1982. Still, I can remember the guys who couldn't let go of the 70's and we snickered about their bell bottoms and velour shirts behind their backs. Same thing. Sooooo the guy who said people over 30 would not like this is deluded. Teenagers today have no idea how people my age relate to this stuff, we lived ND!! The movie is slow paced, yes. It is deliberate. You have to stop and watch a few times to get the jokes. I love that! It reminds me of the slow paced Mel Brooks movies that required more than one viewing to appreciate. Refreshing now that we are slowing down and examining things. This is part of the turning from the fast paced teen farce with quick edits and pervasive music that made it impossible to feel anything on your own. Music is used wisely here. The dance scene in the end is epic...and will make you want to run out and get Jameriqoi (spelling?) The love story underneath with the nerdy girl was very realistic. The popular girl Summer, marginally good looking, but blond and bitchy...realistic. The older brother who is of questionable sexuality and his girlfriend "Lawfunduh" who he meets in the chat rooms is really funny too. But this is really Jon Heder's movie. With the half open eyes and sarcastic delivery, he is like a kid with aspberger's. A geek with balls. He decides he is going to get his lethargic friend Pedro elected student body president. My favorite scene is when he asks the guy for one of summers (she is the most popular girl in school and also running for president) pins and then throws it down the hallway nearly hitting other students with it and then does that nerd exit (it's like an awkward dart out of every scene) Watch for the nerd exit after the climactic dance scene. *SPOILER* Make sure and stay after the credits for the wedding.
Review of Napoleon Dynamite
