Show, Don't Tell: Napoleon Dynamite  

Just a note to people mentioning the awkward cutting of the audio at certain parts, I couldn’t use actual audio from the film and RU-vid’s algorithm decided to copyright strike it in those parts, and it was my sloppy way of fixing it for it to stay up. :/ sorry about that friends

The movie's script is surprisingly cleverly constructed. I didn't notice until about my fifth viewing that the 3 principles in the Rex Kwon Do scene foreshadows Napoleon's character growth: "Use the Buddy System" (friendship with Pedro), "Discipline Your Image" (thrift store outfit), "Learn Self Respect" (the election dance)

The Dons and Summers and Uncle Ricos of the world don't like this movie. The Napoleons and Debs and Pedros of the world love this movie. It is a subtly clever and indicative measure of empathy, self analysis and identity within Western society.

I'll always love this movie. Every time I watch it, I feel something inside myself.

One of the best examples is when the movie never explicitly explains Pedro's panic attack. Or even states exactly what happened. The movie instead just shows it to you and if you have ever experienced the same thing you just know.

This isn't a movie for just a limited age group. Everyone no matter how young or old can relate to some character in this movie. if your honest with yourself and that will remain forever in our hearts. Thanks Napoleon 🤗

Napoleon Dynamite is truly a movie that evokes such a calm nostalgic feeling within the soul. It’s such a solid relaxed film that doesn’t take itself too seriously, but doesn’t leave everything as a meaningless joke. It’s the perfect middle of the road film, for a middle of the country audience.

Great video analysis. I can't believe I missed this film (released 2004) I had my first viewing with my girlfriend this past weekend (2020) who had already seen it. The next day I rewatched it and there was an entire scene after the credits that we didn't watch. I'm a huge film lover with about 300+ DVD and Blue-Rays. This is already top 3 for me, I look forward to watching it 100+ more times.

Good video. Showed up on my recommendations after searching a bit for it the day before. The movie was complex, and I couldn't really analyse it. This video touches many points. You should do more videos like this one.

Aw man i absolutely adore your writing, your very down to earth delivery too. Totally feel that influence Napoleon had on you. Truth be told, i didn't quite understand Napoleon Dynamite the first watch, but the way you broke it down really motivated me to give it another watch some time soon.

From start to finish, I really enjoyed your video analysis of this wonderful movie. The story telling and its structure, the direction, the acting, the music and the tiniest details work on so many levels. I especially love how Napoleon is introduced to us as a super hero action figure bouncing around on a gravelly road beneath the wheels of a school bus.

A wonderful and heartfelt analysis of my all time favorite film. Thank you.

Very well done. It's funny, my teen sons kept telling me to see it and I had zero interest in watching this movie. Then they showed me the action figure/bus scene and I was hooked. It was so stupid - and so accurate and relatable when you recall the ridiculous things you used to do at that age. Every character showed the inner nerd that we all have.

I always thought the fish stuff was an homage to Deb's role in Waterworld.

@JoeBanks...it's so beautiful how you described the entire movie in 10 minutes. Your explanation of this movie is why I think there are far more worthy low budget films worth watching than, say, big budget superhero movies. I love Napoleon Dynamite and have seen it countless times and will continue watching it. I am Napoleon Dynamite and he lived my life growing up in high school. Thank you.

It's a masterpiece

There will never be a movie like this

I was one of those "middle ground" kids in high school. I wasn't pretty or popular by most standards yet I had lots of friends and likely would have been friends with Napolean. In fact the cast reminds of my actual friends. We didn't know we weren't cool. My hubs won't watch it because he says it hits too close to home in a sad way to his high school days, whereas I find it heartwarming for the same reasons.

The line “I caught you a delicious bass” confuses most people. I’m here to dissect. To dumb it down, it means he caught a bass for Deb. He is carrying it around right after he gives his outstanding performance and he has the fish laying in the ground next to the tether ball pole at the end of the film. He literally caught a bass fish for Deb.

What a fantastic commentary! Thank you so much! I have seen this movie (masterpiece) more than 30 times, if not , much more. Your perspective is right on the money. This movie is as genuine as it is brilliant. I can identify with (almost) every character in this movie, in one way or another. Every time I watch this film I notice a different detail, each time, subtleties which makes it even , either more inane, and yet at the same time, much more profound. Thanks for your angle. Vote for Pedro, and all your dreams will come true.

Excellent work! Love the movie and the relationship between Napoleon and Deb, much like my life....

Thank you so much for this review! It’s exactly the one I’ve been looking for, no one seems to appreciate Napoleon Dynamite and I’m so glad you did and did it this well!

Definitely one of the best examples of this principle in a film. The whole movie does this. Huge part of what works so well about the movie.

Thank You for this.I Love this movie.

I always crack up at the delayed reaction kick he throws at the guy who pushes him into the locker LOL....the guys is LONG gone by the time he swings the kick. Reminds me of one night I was at the local pub with my friends when we were about 18-19 years old (we were dorks) The conversation had gone into 2 of the guys making wise-cracks about each other's mothers. Ricky nailed Dermot with some comment about his mother and we all laughed out loud. Dermot had no comeback and a few mins passed. Then Ricky got up and went to the washroom and Dermot, thinking out loud, say "Right....what will I come back with" Oh man...we all died laughing...the moment for a comeback had WELL passed by them LOL

the way this is the best video on Napoleon and it doesn't even have 50k views. Every other video essay I see only talks about how it's representative of a small town community, no ones been saying the realness ab it.

One of a very select few movies I can watch again and again.

This is my all time favorite movie....years ago when i wss sick ..I literally watched it at least six times lol Great review of movie and thoughts ... It does have some of the best lessons about human nature and people

My initial reaction was "the tragedy of the fatherless." But now? "You don't have to follow the alpha crowd to end up happy."

I dig your passion for this movie. It's exactly how I feel; you really GET this iconic film. I've recommended to MANY people to watch this movie when they tell me they've never seen it---whaaaat? I love talking about Napolean and hearing feedback. I feel this is a "love it" or "hate it" kinda film. Kinda like black licorice; you strongly feel one way or the other about it and no one will convince you otherwise. And when someone tells me they hated Napolean Dynamite, I just think to myself ...okay, that person has zero sense of humor & I stand there dumbfounded at their disdain for such a fantastic movie. I've seen Napolean sooo many times. I still have my Vote For Pedro shirt and wear it proudly. You did a great job of capturing the true essence of one of my top favorite movies ever. 'Peace out'.

At 4:10 I LOVE the school picture of Napoleon on the wall...I remember when the use to make pictures like that, and it's got a golden frame. HAHA!

its easy to say it's relatable 17 years later in retrospect. i was in 8th grade when it came out and everyone i knew hated this movie

A beautiful take on a beautiful movie. Thanks for sharing. :)

When this came out I dismissed it as a dumb kids' film and never watched it. This year (2023) just shy of my 70th birthday, my son wanted us to watch it. Even before it was over, I realized that something important was going on. This is now one of my all time favorite movies. If asked what Napoleon Dynamite is about, I would have to say "loyalty".

Napoleon was named Seth in the original short, I'm guessing the writers said "let's give him the most exciting name ever"

This was great! By far my favorite movie, too!

I thoroughly enjoyed this short documentary. Make more!

this movie is perfect. John heder and Tina did so good.

Beautifully narrated.

Thanks Joe.. This might be a perfect description of Napoleon Dynamite film's. And such a beautiful example to describe how I feel about it. Love this movie!

I think that the movie is based in a rural community these cool people would be treated that way in a more urban center . Don and Napoleon are similar in personalities . Its more about family finacial status . Its such a well thought production with goid acting appicable to the scene . No big special affects . Simple story lines . Masterful job how the characters interconect .

Such a shame that the company did the copyright thing on you. It is such a strangely endearing film and you've helped me appreciate it even more.

Gotta watch it 5 more times for more in depth details. Great video and movie.

Have you thought about doing more of these? Good video and I love your voice.

This was really good

😅for 10 minutes I was transported away to small town IDAHO

I'm sure nobody at that dance was thinking "cheesy 90's prom," they were just thinking "cheesy prom"

such an underrated video !!

This movie was and is a classic.

You can never lose that dorky part of yourself! LOL! I enjoyed your commentary. One of the best movies of all time! The only one to touch on this! Which is life! ;) Are you searching for the answer to life? Watch Napolean Dynamite! :)

This is a really good video. Keep it up!

Its not what its about, its how its done

Napoleon Dynamite is the embodiment of the Nietzschean ubermensch.

"Geeky Midwestern teen"? I think Ryan Hamilton has a joke about people thinking Idaho is in the Midwest. I thought the joke was funny because it's a ridiculous thing to think, but apparently it's more common than I was aware.

Well thought out. Thanks for the video.

Great review. I love this movie.

The cast is perfect. Like Withnail&I.

Nice vid Joe

Loved it. Thanks.

hey what is the name or links to the background music you are using in a this video??? it is beautiful. so beautiful. please!

this needs more views

well you got my sub

This movie says, no matter how weird or strange you are, as long as you are genuine and authentic, you will make quality relationships. Birds of a feather flock together! Everyone is worth being valued.

Great job bud

Fantastic Narrative!!👍👍👍

I wish they’d make a Part 2 showing them experiencing the eccentricities of the adult world in their awkward authentic sense of expression. Like the work world is NOT what I expected & I wonder if Kip is holding up better in Detroit than I am in right now lmao

how does this video only have 8k views wtf

I just love telling people that the movie is about nothing and everything at the same time. Edit: I think those boots he wears are actually ski boots the ones you put on prior to fitting feet in the ski. 😂

Is Trisha here?

Great video and commentary, but ... 360p in 2018?! C'mon, Joe 😔

well done.

I really quote uncle rico the most

10/10

Have to jump in with an immediate thought about the character "Don" who was compared to Biff from "Back to the Future," one of the "bullies" who might be the one exceptionally bad character in "Napoleon Dynamite." I don't think ANY of the characters were shown as being completely unsympathetic. Don beats up Napoleon after Napoleon tells him, after being asked what he did over the summer, that he went wolverine hunting in Alaska. Napoleon lies here. I don't really think less of Napoleon for that kind of lie because it is not an evil lie and is not a consequential sort of lie. It DOES show that Napoleon is a little dorky if he expects the lie to actually be believed. Actually I find the lie to be amusing and in keeping with Napoleon's half-fantasy/half-aspirational view of who he would LIKE to be, and so I find the lie to be endearing in a way. But Napoleon was not being authentic here and Don beats him up. Do I think Napoleon deserves that? No. But Don does not beat him severely or viciously, OR give the impression that he intends to beat him up again. In a way Don is trying to teach him a lesson, and does no serious or lasting harm, so I can't hate/despise Don.

you have 189 subscribers? ya ok buddy. i could fall asleep to you voice. (in a good way) so gurantee you within a year if you keep the grind you will get to 50 k

Was the action figure dragging behind the bus actually symbolism for how Napoleon felt about his life?

Bravo. Was good.

I mean I also adore the film

Excited about the series! Can you give us a hint about what’s next?

Nice beat

I NEED TO KNOW THE NAME OF THE SONG AT 7:30!

Can you make another video like this please?

At the risk of sounding petty, I just must note a correction, in that, Idaho is not the Midwest, it's the Pacific Northwest. Aside from that, enjoyable video.

Literally nobody at my SCHOOL never seen Napoleon dynamite even the teacher!(plz don't reply to this :( plz and try)

tha action figure is rowdy roddy piper

Midwestern?

song name at 7:30?

Idaho is not in the midwest. Nor are any of the other mountain states. Thank you.

I have never seen this movie but so many people ask me if I have. I saw this guy on Letterman show up with an atalatal. Maybe I spelled it wrong but it's an ancient device for throwing a spear He and Dave threw a couple of them.

music at 2:42?

Check out Conan O'Brian he's on there said he was playing a video Game & some guys on the interwebs noticed his voice funny.I am.lol

Wolverines

I see you drink 1% milk is that coz your think you're fat?

How is Idaho the Midwest?

👍

Thank you for shaming us for not seeing the movie or explaining what the video is about in the title