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"This image is
funnier than the entire
movie." |
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Directed by Jared Hess - Written
by X Jared Hess, Jerusha
Hess and Mike White
Starring Jack Black, Ana
de le Reguera, Hector
Jimenez
Distributed by Paramount -
2006 - 91 mins - Rated
PG |
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Jacob Hall's
Review
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D+ |
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"Nacho Libre" should be the funniest movie of the year. |
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Jack
Black + the writer of “School of Rock” Mike White + Lucha Libre
wrestling + Black in tight pants prancing around a wrestling ring =
comedy gold.
The one factor not put into this equation is Mr. Jared Hess, whose
previous film, “Napoleon Dynamite,” somehow became a hit among the
other members of my generation. He attempts to bring his subdued,
innocent, and completely lame humor into a film that Black should be
allowed to let loose in.
There is SOOO much potential here, that the squandering of it is
simply painful. I don’t blame Black (he can’t do any comedic wrong for
me) or White’s…it’s solely Hess.
Take, for example, a scene where Black must climb a mountain in order
to eat an eagle’s egg and gain extraordinary powers…while he’s wearing
spandex and a red cape. Picture it. Funny right? Somehow, Hess manages
to drain any and all humor out of a scene that should be, by extents,
hilarious.
The plot should be hilarious: Black plays a priest who moonlights as a
masked wrestler to raise money for orphans. He is also lusting after
the new nun working at the orphanage. I recall first reading about
“Nacho Libre” many months ago…this plot alone had me dreaming of a
comedic masterpiece.
I was hoping for off-the-wall zaniness. I was hoping for laugh after
laugh. I got endless “funny” images of Mexicans and fart jokes.
Yes…FART JOKES. Haha, let me stop laughing before I rupture something.
I hate Jared Hess’ direction. I hate “Napoleon Dynamite.” I hate
“Nacho Libre.” I am growing to hate the cult that worships “Napoleon
Dynamite” as a great film and will probably say the same about this.
Despite this, Jack Black still rules. If not for him, I would have
seriously considered walking out. Even at 91 minutes, “Nacho Libre”
feels L-O-N-G. I kept myself going by watching Black’s facial tics and
funny vocals. Other than Black, there is only one funny gag…a gag so
outrageous that I wish it were in a good movie.
Jack Black’s next project is a Michel Gondry film…that’s a pair I
really, really want to see. The ghost of Brando could team with Hess
and I wouldn’t give a damn. Not after this. |
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© Written by Jacob Hall -
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TC Candler's Comment
n/a
Richard Propes' Comment
I agree
with Jacob on one very fundamental level. "Nacho
Libre" should have been the year's funniest
film. Jacob is, indeed, correct. "Nacho Libre"
is not the year's funniest film. Yet, what
remains is a quietly funny film with a good
heart and easygoing spirit. The worst gags,
including the aforementioned eagle gag and an
even lamer alley fight gag, still work on a
certain level. This is largely due to Jack
Black's channeling of his character with such
energy, such spirit and such authenticity that I
couldn't take my eyes off of him. Unlike Jacob,
I not only never considered leaving I could
barely keep my eyes off the screen. The
chemistry between Black and Hector Jimenez was
perfect, and Jimenez was as consistently
hilarious as Black throughout the film. Ana de
la Reguera is endearing as Sister Encarnacion. I
enjoyed "Nacho Libre" much more than I enjoyed
Hess's debut film, "Napoleon Dynamite." I
laughed more consistently and Hess tapped into
an emotional core that "Napoleon Dynamite"
seriously lacked. Yet, again, Hess struggles
with his sense of timing, and too often chooses
his laid back meandering humor when a scene
really called for a sort of "Wham! Bam! Thank
you, Ma'am!" humor. While "Nacho Libre" won't be
anywhere near my Top 10 this year, it's a nice
return to form for Jack Black and a solid
sophomore effort for Hess.
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