 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
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 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
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Napoleon Dynamite
Common Sense Media says
Quirky, gross humor in animated series based on cult hit.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Napoleon Dynamite -- an eccentric animated comedy series based on the cult fave movie -- has more gross-out humor than its big-screen predecessor. While the jokes are extremely offbeat, the content itself rarely gets past the "ew" factor. Plus, the esoteric nature of the show's stories, coupled with occasional moments of sexuality and drinking, make the series most appropriate for teens and adults.
What's the story?
Based on the 2004 cult film of the same name, NAPOLEON DYNAMITE brings back the cast of the original movie as voice actors, returning to the unusual lives of Napoleon (Jon Heder) , his brother Kip (Aaron Ruell), their grandmother (Sandy Martin), and of course, their friend Pedro (Efren Ramirez). With the additional time and bigger budget of an animated series, the show expands into the world surrounding Napoleon's oddball bubble, revealing that the city and people in Napoleon Dynamite's universe are as unusual as the lead character himself. From Pedro's strange non-sequiturs to Grandma Dynamite's no-nonsense brutal commentary, the world of Napoleon Dynamite continues in animated form.
Is it any good?
Although Napoleon Dynamite was inspired by the movie, it seems to take more inspiration from another Fox animated show that's since gone on to the big DVD library in the sky: King of the Hill. Like that show, Napoleon Dynamite focuses on an exceedingly eccentric cast of characters living in a unique part of the country, chronicling their victories and disappointments along the way. Unlike King of the Hill, Napoleon Dynamite is strange -- almost too strange; the humor is so quirky and disconnected from reality that it's frequently hard to decide whether you're supposed to laugh or groan with disgust.
And yet, as a half-hour dose of animated comedy, Napoleon Dynamite is more watchable (for this reviewer, anyway) than the original film was. Perhaps it's absence making the heart grow fonder or just that 22 minutes of these characters is easier to digest than 90 minutes. Whatever the case may be, there are some strong laughs to be found here; the animation seems to help bring this unusual little universe to life more effectively than live-action. There's a distance created when you're laughing at an animated character who's covered in apocalyptic zits that makes it easier to find the humor than watching real zits on a real forehead.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about Napoleon Dynamite's occasional violence. Is it appropriate for the story? What would be the real-life consequences of the fighting seen on the show?
How are these characters similar to or different than other comedic characters on TV? What's the appeal of these characters? How would you describe the humor in this show?
How does the show compare to the movie? Have the characters changed? Which do you like better?
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- Teens & kids
Teen, 15 years old
January 15, 2012
AGE
Napoleon
movie show is entertaining and funny
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Kid, 12 years old
January 16, 2012
AGE
Yessssssss!!!
The new animated version of Napoleon Dynamite brings all the fun of the movie. Mild innuendo and swearing is no problem. It's as tame as The Simpsons.
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Kid, 12 years old
January 17, 2012
AGE
Napoleon Returns!!!
I love the 2004 movie, it brings out the nerd in all of us; when I heard that there was going to be an animated series made about it, I was all over it!!!
Napoleon's past and future selves are hilarious, Kip's "Fushigi" skills are "sweet", and Uncle Rico is side splitting funny! The only concern I have is the frequent use of minor swear words. Other than that, watch it!!!
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Kid, 10 years old
January 21, 2012
AGE
Hey
It shouuld be Ages 2-9 Off and Ages 10+ On. Im 10 and like this show. So Funny. -_-. LOL. SOS.
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Teen, 15 years old
January 16, 2012
AGE
Disappointing... Characters feel entirely different and are accompanied with unfunny jokes.
I was really disappointed... :/ This spinoff of the 2004 movie is definitely not as good (obviously, it wouldn't be seeing as it's a TV show), but in my opinion, the jokes are just bad and it doesn't even do the movie justice, despite the fact that it was created by the same people and has the same actors as the movie. The humor is gross and the characters don't have the same feel as in the movie, which I would expect in the least. It feels like an entirely different thing with the same quirky voices and oddball characters. I wouldn't bother... I'm trying not to let it screw up my favorite movie. The characters personalities seem off to me, not like the ones I've gotten to know from watching the movie a billion times. Also, at least the movie has a realistic indie feel, this is just unrealistic situations blown way out of proportion, unrelatable and with no essence of the underdog message the movie gives off. It's a shame, I was looking forward to this. Also... Where is LaFawnduh? I mean seriously... couldn't they be consistent with the story they have created? Dumping that character was also a miss. I hope it gets better than the two pilot episodes that aired last night. Main difference? The movie is funny. This is farthest from it.
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Adult
January 16, 2012
AGE
gosh
i loved the movie napolen dynamite and was excited when i saw there was going to be a series of the show and watched it last night and thought it was just pure stupid fun and really enjoyed my time with napoleon and the gang
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Teen, 16 years old
January 19, 2012
AGE
Tweens and Up.
Some drinking/ smoking, and mild language like d*mn, a*s, h*ll, but other than that OK for most tweens.
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Kid, 8 years old
January 23, 2012
AGE
not to bad
OKAY MOST PEOPLE ARE GONNA CALL ME IDIOTS FOR THIS BUT THIS SHOW IS FOR 8 YR OLDS AND OLDER
1. VERY LITTLE BAD LAUNGEDGE
2. VERY LITTLE BAD THINGS
3. GOOD MESSEGE
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Kid, 8 years old
February 1, 2012
AGE
good
it is the best show and it is kinda goofy cause napoleon tried to sneeze fart burp and yawn at the same time its on the 3rd episode
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Kid, 12 years old
January 21, 2012
AGE
Um, ew!
This show is really gross. I loved the movie, but this is just disgusting! And it's really corny, only makes me slightly smirk at its funniest.
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| Topics: | high school |
| TV rating: | TV-14 |
| Network: | Fox |
| Cast: | Diedrich Bader, Jon Heder, Tina Majorino |
| Genre: | Comedy |
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