Nacho Libre (PG, 2006)

common sense media says

A sweet, offbeat movie about caring for others.

parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know this movie contains a lot of comic action – including some training sessions where Ignacio gets splattered by food and attacked by bees -- and some violence in the wrestling ring (body slams, flying leaps, one character gets a corn cob in the eyesocket). Basically, the stuff 11-year-old boys everywhere will love with nothing to alarm the parents. Some of Nacho's opponents are quirky characters, including some feral dwarf wrestlers.

Positive messages: Lots of butt-jokes, including passing gas, buttcracks, sphincter-flexing, diarrhea, and feces; also, references to stealing, and even though Ignacio is helping the orphans, he goes against the church elders to become a wrestler.

Violence: A street fight and lots of action in the wrestling ring, including flying leaps, body slams, and "the Anaconda Squeeze" also, some "don't try this at home" stunts involving rocks, arrows, bees, fruit, and a bull. No blood.

Sex: Mild innuendo between Ignacio and Sister Encarnacion ("I was wondering if you would like to join me in my quarters this night…for some toast.")

Language: The Mexican accent is played for laughs, i.e. "Puppies" is pronounced "poopies".

Consumerism: Not applicable.

Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Mild references.

Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about the importance of helping others. Do you have particular gifts (i.e. music, art, ability to talk with others) that could be used to help others? Is it ok for Ignacio to become a masked wrestler, even though the church elders frown on it? Are his motives – helping the orphans – a good enough reason to become a masked wrestler? And how does the Lucha Libre wrestling bring the Mexican community together?

What's the story?

Ignacio (Jack Black) is a cook at the Mexican monastery where he was raised. But he just doesn't fit in. He cares deeply for the orphans he feeds, but the food is terrible. He decides to make money to buy better food for the kids, and while he's at it, impress the lovely Sister Encarnacion (Ana de la Reguera). When he discovers he has a natural talent for wrestling, he becomes "Nacho Libre," a masked wrestler who takes matches for cash. His training partner, Esqueleto (Hector Jimenez) puts him through his paces, but not without inflicting bodily harm during training sessions. A major flaw in Nacho's plan is that wrestling is strictly forbidden by the church elders at the monastery. So he's forced to lead a double life, concealing his true identity with a sky blue mask and painfully tight wrestling garb. For the first time in his life, Ignacio fits in and has something to fight for. He tries explaining this to Sister Encarnacion, but she tells him, "Wrestling is a sin. When you fight for someone who needs your help, only then will God bless you."

Is it any good?

Given the offbeat nature of director Jared Hess (Napoleon Dynamite), the star (School of Rock), and the writer (Mike White, who wrote The Good Girl and School of Rock), this movie is destined to go down as a cult classic, with lines you'll be quoting for years. It's funny and silly, with some of the best writing and characters around. Jack Black (who also produced the movie) is surprisingly agile in the ring, and Hector Jimenez is a scene stealer.

Even if you don't "get" this type of goofy humor, Nacho Libre is still a sweet movie with a good message about caring for others -- even if Jack Black in tight pants is an image you'd just as soon forget.

Movie themes & details

Themes

sports and martial arts, misfits and underdogs

Movie Details

Studio: Paramount Pictures
Director: Jared Hess
Cast: Ana de la Reguera, Hector Jimenez, Jack Black, Peter Stormare, Richard Montoya
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 100 minutes
Theatrical release: June 16, 2006
DVD release: October 24, 2006
MPAA Rating: PG
MPAA explanation: some rough action, crude humor, and language

This review was written by Jane Boursaw

Review It

What parents & educators say

Most useful reviews by all members

dsloanak
parent of 8 and 10 year old

No way would I let my children watch this.

I personally thought the movie was extremely weird. I think there are way to many sexual comments made to allow a child to watch this movie. I would not recommend this as a family movie.

Movie Details

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Genre

Nacho Libre (PG, 2006)

common sense media says

parents & educators say

What parents need to know

More on Nacho Libre

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

What's the story?

What's the story?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?

Movie themes & details

Themes

Movie Details

Review It

Review Nacho Libre

What parents & educators say

Most useful reviews by all members

No way would I let my children watch this.

Really funny!

AHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Lovable gross-out comedy

The only "family movie" my 10 year-old walked away from

So Bad, Not Just Lame But BAD

Nacho Libre Roxxxxxxxxxxxxx!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dumb, dumb, dumb!

Hilarious

ok

no title

PRetty nice

jack black`s best

Funny movie.

Hilarious Movie!

I don't like the plot but its a good movie.

Eh. Guy comedy.

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