FILM ANALYSIS: Napoleon Dynamite (2004)

 FILM ANALYSIS: NAPOLEON DYNAMITE (2004)

dir. Jared Hess

BBFC PG , MPAA PG 

Opening Length: 5 minutes

Budget: $400k 

Box Office: $46 million

Theatrical Distribution: International

Production Company: Fox Searchlight Pictures, Paramount Pictures, MTV Films

Distributor: Fox Searchlight Pictures, Paramount Pictures

Synopsis: A listless and alienated teenager decide to help his new friend win the class presidency in their small western high school, while he must deal with his bizarre family life back home. (IMDB)

LINKS: wikipedia , imdb , boxofficemojo, art of the title

Trailer: 

Possible Influences For My Film: The opening titles as inspiration for my ident, the high school setting. 

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Idents: 

All three company idents are seen, which is a conventional amount for a film. The first two are part of the big 5, and their idents last 20 seconds each, while MTV Films' ident only lasts for 10 seconds. 

Titles:

This is the opening credit sequence for the film, which I am taking inspiration from for my own ident. I like the quirky element of having the food spelling out the names, as it is realistic and reflects the comedy genre of the film. 

The main title of the film is scribbled in cursive onto a school desk. This fits with the high school comedy genre of the film, and with the aesthetics of the title sequence. It is denoted as the main title, as the camera stays on it the longest while the music fades, and the remainder of the film continues, 

Opening shot: 

The opening shot is an ELS of the protagonist standing outside his house. The house is a stereotypical American detached suburban home, with a large front garden. The protagonist is presented as a stereotypical nerd, seen through his curly hair, his baggy shirt tucked into his trousers, and schoolbooks under his arm. 

This low angle MCU reveals the protagonist to be wearing large, clear thick glasses, and ginger hair, further anchoring him as a nerd. This is a long shot, and the camera follows the protagonist's gaze back and forth, which ambient sounds of birds are heard. A car is then heard approaching and stopping in front of the protagonist. 

There is a high angle ELS at a slight dutch angle, further creating a sense of awkwardness. A bus door is seen opening. 

The wide angle continues this awkwardness, and the protagonist's head touching the ceiling denotes him as "the odd one out", as well as being surrounded by younger school children. The setting of a school bus is also immediately relatable for the primary target audience of the film, and allows them to personally identify with the protagonist and situation. 

This shot shows the protagonists sitting in the back of the bus, which is unconventional for a nerd stereotype. The look he receives from the younger child also creates humour, and binary opposition (Levi-Strauss). 

The final shot of the sequence reveals a defeated protagonist. His awkward and large teeth anchor him as an awkward nerd. The background reveals large and vast fields, denoting a rural area. 

Sound: 

The soundtrack over the credits is the song "We are Gonna be Friends" by The White Stripes, which attracts the target demographic. It is upbeat, and serves as foreshadowing for the remainder of the film, which follows an unlikely friendship. There is upbeat synth music playing through the opening shots, and it fades out once the main title appears to signify the transition to the main film.