Napoleon Dynamite – Like, The Best Special Edition Ever

 

Picture: C+     Sound: B-     Extras: B-     Film: C+

 

 

Instead of being a flash in the pan, Napoleon Dynamite (2004) has become a major long-term fan favorite.  It seems to be especially enjoyed by a younger demographic, but its appeal of a loner oaf trying to have a better life despite incoherence and no common sense seems to reflect a society currently in a bad situation internationally and internally.  Jon Heder no doubt nailed the title role and here is a new double DVD set dubbed Like, The Best Special Edition Ever and will also turn up as the extras on the inevitable HD Blu-ray disc; a single disc at that.

 

If you do not like the film, you will wonder why a set of extras would be put together to being with, but

 

 

Disc 1:

 

Commentary by Director/Co-Writer Jared Hess, Actor Jon Heder and Producer Jeremy Coon, Deleted Scenes with commentary by Director/Co-Writer Jared Hess, Actor Jon Heder and Producer Jeremy Coon, 2nd Locker room scene -- :45, Pedro Holy Chip Flashback -- 1:09, Extended thrift store scene and La Tienda Lotto ticket -- 3:21, Kickball scene with Pedro and Napoleon montage -- 2:43 and Still Gallery (50 stills)

 

Disc 2:

 

"Peluca" Short Film w/optional commentary by Director/Writer Jared Hess, Actor Jon Heder, and Producer Jeremy Coon, Chugger - alt scenes of chugging sports drink, The Wedding of the Century! featurette, MTV On-Air Promos and outtakes featurette,

MTV On-Air Promos:

3 Easy Steps Napoleon 01

3 Easy Steps Napoleon 02

3 Easy Steps Pedro 01

3 Easy Steps Uncle Rico 01

3 Easy Steps Deb

Fishing 02

Liger vs. Tigon

Raw interstitial tapes from shoot/outtakes, The Real Napoleon Dynamite - New Documentary, behind the scenes

Napoleon Sightings: Various ND clips:

ESPN clip - 2005 Scripps National Spelling Bee Clip

Clips from TRL

Clips from MTV Movie Awards

Opening of SNL with Jon Heder

Cartoon Network-Napoleon Bonomite

2004 Teen Choice Awards-ND & Nicole Richie Play Tetherball

2005 Teen Choice Awards-Hissy Fit Award

New outtakes and deleted scenes

Sweet Jumps-Nap on the bike outtakes

Lord of the Dance-freestyle dance of ND filmed during Peluca

 

 

 

Jon Gries from the great 1985 teen comedy Real Genius gets to have this one under his belt, but the humor is one-note, which is the point for fans.  Otherwise, this is an acquired taste, but fans will want this version over the old single DVD reviewed elsewhere on this site.

 

The anamorphically enhanced 1.85 X 1 image is still a little softer than you would want for a new film and the low budget has nothing to do with it.  Cinematographer Munn Powell is one of the heroes of this film and reasons for its success in shooting the comedy with visual impact with director Jared Hess.  It will be interesting to see them take on different comedy material.  You would think the new edition would have DTS, but we get the same old Dolby Digital 5.1 mix, making this no different than the old DVD, which you can settle for until you decide whether this film is for you or not.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo