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A nostalgic look at classic music, video games, TV and films asking the question: "Does it hold up?"
Each episode features a different host that brings a fresh take on a film, TV show, video game, or music album of their choice. What can we discover? Do old favorites have a shelf life? Will the classics hold up? “The Classic Hold Up” is an AudioVideoLand production by Digital Storytelling students of Michigan State University in collaboration with Impact 89FM.
Welcome to the classic hold up, where we analyze media from the past. Each episode features a different host that brings a fresh take on a film, TV show, video game, or music album of their choice. Do old favorites have a shelf life? Will the classics hold up?
Speaker 2:Welcome back to the classic hold up. My name's Sarah Cherry. I'm a digital storytelling student at Michigan State University. As a senior with post grad looming, one thing I love doing to escape thinking about my future is watching comedy movies. One of my favorite comedy movies you know what?
Speaker 2:Scratch that. One of my favorite movies of all time is the movie we'll be talking about today, Napoleon Dynamite. Napoleon Dynamite is a coming of age comedy movie that came out in 2004. Written by Jared and Jerusha Hess and then also directed by Jared Hess, the movie was filmed in the 2003 in Idaho. Napoleon Dynamite is a socially awkward 16 year old who lives in middle of nowhere rural Idaho.
Speaker 2:Set in the early two thousands, which is when it was also released, we follow Napoleon as he navigates small town high school. We meet plenty of unique characters throughout the film that each bring their own elements of comedy. I feel like in order to get the vibe of the movie, we kinda need to talk about and introduce some of these characters. First, we've got Kip, who's Napoleon's equally awkward older brother who's been e dating his girlfriend Lafonda from Detroit. Napoleon's Uncle Rico brings in some laughs as a washed up door to door salesman who claims that he could have gone pro if Coach didn't take him out of the high school football game.
Speaker 2:The only reason that Uncle Rico is even and Kip's life at the moment is because their grandma, who normally takes care of them, breaks her coccyx dirt biking in the sand dunes. The kind of love interest girl next door of the story is Deb, one of Napoleon's classmates who seems to be working multiple jobs to afford college. Some of these jobs include selling GIMP keychains and doing glamour shots, which is very 2 thousands. Last but not least, we have Pedro, Napoleon's sidekick in the movie. Pedro is an immigrant from Mexico who is finally adjusting to life in The States.
Speaker 2:Both kind of match each other's awkward and build a beautiful friendship throughout the movie. Napoleon Dynamite is one of those movies that you watch and you aren't really sure what the plot is. Instead, we watch Napoleon and the characters go through many situationally funny events and some pivotal high school ones. Kip and Uncle Rico team up to do shady door to door sales. Napoleon and Pedro try to get the most popular girls in school to go to the dance with them.
Speaker 2:Debbie sells keychains and headshots to several characters, even and gets harassed when uncle Rico tries to sell her on one of his latest get rich quick products. One of the more central plots of the film is Pedro's campaign for class president. We kinda get to watch him build this campaign throughout the whole film. Unfortunately, he is running against the most popular grown school, Summer Wheatley, who's kind of wants every day to be Summer. The climax of the film comes when during the election assembly, Pedro finds himself in trouble.
Speaker 2:He didn't know that he had to come up with a skit in addition to the speech he had prepared. Luckily for him, Napoleon had been practicing his dance moves. In what is probably the most well known part of the film, Napoleon performs a dance to Gandhiat, which narratively is supposed to be a mixtape from Lafonda's cousin. The whole school applauds, Pedro wins the election, and we finally see Napoleon get a little bit of acceptance. The film ends with Napoleon and Deb playing tetherball after kind of having an on and off, will they, won't they throughout the whole film.
Speaker 2:This film is now considered a cult classic and has gained a loyal fan base, yet still has some haters in the crowd. My dad showed me this film for the first time when I was in middle school. I think at first, I thought it was a little weird and off putting. It wasn't until I was much older that I think I finally started to enjoy the humor. Rewatch after rewatch, you start to pick up on more.
Speaker 2:Jokes that maybe went over your head the first time are mannerisms from characters that you never notice. Did you know that the mountain of shredded cheese on the nachos that Kit makes gets higher and higher until reaching a ridiculous height every time the shot changes? Little things like that make this movie golden. I think another thing that contributes to this too is the commitment of all the actors. Even if their roles are cringey, they maintain that character, live in the awkwardness, and deliver some great comedic performances.
Speaker 2:I used to work on a pick your own farm, kind of like an apple orchard for many years. We had guest musicians in on the weekends. One day, a solo act with a guitar started singing We Are Going to Be Friends by The White Stripes. After a long and chaotic morning since fall weekends were always so busy, I could not place where I had heard this song. It was driving me nuts.
Speaker 2:Me and my coworkers pondered this for at least, like, twenty minutes. It wasn't until my very soft spoken, very shy, 15 year old coworker Heather said in the loudest I had ever heard her speak, Sarah, oh my gosh, it's from Napoleon Dynamite. Then the mystery was solved. The idea that you never know who is gonna be a fan of Napoleon Dynamite until little moments like that happen, I think it's kind of awesome and I think that shared community is something that makes enjoying the movie a little bit more fun. Welcome to the Classic Hold Up, Jonathan Urban.
Speaker 3:Thank you so much for having me. It's a pleasure to be here. For those of you who don't know me, my name is Jonathan Urban. I'm a senior in the film studies major with minors in acting, fiction, filmmaking, and screenwriting. If it isn't obvious, I love a good movie.
Speaker 3:And one of the best comedy films of all time is Napoleon Dynamite. Utilizing a blend of indie filmmaking and awkward coming of age circumstances, it helped create Jared Hess's magnum opus, a cult comedy classic from o four. So I never watched this film until high school. I've always heard about it growing up, but then I finally sat down and watched it with my family. And I loved it, my brother loved it, but my parents hated it.
Speaker 3:My mom hated this film. And I was like, what the heck dude? It's awesome. So we can unpack that later. But my brother and I occasionally love a good rewatch.
Speaker 3:It's typically like an probably like an annual watch for me Mhmm. At this point. And it has permanently altered my vocabulary. So
Speaker 2:See, we love a good movie, like a good quotable movie.
Speaker 3:Absolutely. No. Truly especially for comedy, essential. You need those those classic lines. And Napoleon Dynamite is full of them.
Speaker 3:So thank you for having me, and I can't wait to unpack this classic.
Speaker 2:Okay. So first, we need to talk about how the content was viewed, like, on its release. So Napoleon Dynamite came out in 2004, and it debuted at Sundance, which is something that I didn't know before I researched this.
Speaker 3:That's crazy.
Speaker 2:And then so I guess what we wanna talk about first is, like, what about the February kind of, like, made that movie a success?
Speaker 3:Yeah. I mean, from I also did a little bit of digging and I found out that a lot of its promotion was through, like, MTV. Like, got picked up and oh, MTV. And they also ran a lot of free screenings, encouraging rewatches and handing out merch and that kind of thing.
Speaker 2:Okay.
Speaker 3:So I think to add to the allure, one, in terms of the film's comedy, it's very different from a lot of like the mainstream comedy in that like post American Pie era of comedy that was coming out of Hollywood specifically. But Napoleon Dynamite was encouraging, hey, go see this, take your friends, see it again, take your friends, go again. That kind of rewatch ability that was like the main force of go see this film. I thought it really is a really interesting angle and it also fits the film perfectly.
Speaker 2:I think that the the rewatch kind of aspect that you were talking about is something that makes this unique, especially with we didn't have a lot of streaming services Yep. In the February. So people had to go to the movies and they had to see it. Yeah. And with the rewatch I mean, I kinda talked about this briefly earlier, but you kinda notice more details every single time you watch it that maybe you didn't notice, like, the first time.
Speaker 3:Absolutely.
Speaker 2:And it just kinda makes it, like, more enjoyable. And something that was interesting that I also wanted to discuss was it had a $400,000 budget, but it grossed 46,100,000.0 in the box office.
Speaker 3:That's crazy.
Speaker 2:Which I never thought of Napoleon Dynamite as, like, a box office, like, movie that did well.
Speaker 3:You know
Speaker 2:what I mean?
Speaker 3:Because it has such, like, a cult status and, like, such a niche following almost that it feels like something that slipped under the radar. Mhmm. But, no, it was like a craze It
Speaker 2:was which
Speaker 3:is super interesting. And I think another thing that adds to it is that early two thousands era of like the home video release. Like you have these rental stores and like the DVD release and stuff. So to add to that rewatchability, if you go home and you buy the film after it initially comes out, you can watch that forever. It's like the film was born to be viewed
Speaker 4:Viewed multiple times Forever.
Speaker 3:Over and over. You know? Mhmm. That's crazy. So yeah, I think obviously to go along with its kind of oddball humor, I think that kinda campaign of release really helped in that era to be like, oh, you gotta see Napoleon Dynamite.
Speaker 2:I think with that, like, because we're still in the movie theater era. And again, with Blockbuster coming out and all of those that kind of movie rental Yeah. Because it's such a polarizing movie, I think that definitely helped their sales as well because some people love it, some people hate it. Mhmm. So kind of that idea of, like, you have to go see it whether you like it or not.
Speaker 2:Whether it was such a bad movie that you're like, dude, you gotta go see it. Or one that's like, I loved it so much. Go buy it. That definitely helped with that two thousands era.
Speaker 3:Yeah. Either way, everyone was watching it, which is like that's kinda like an evil corporation thing, you know? Like, no matter what, you're giving it money. But yeah. No.
Speaker 3:I definitely definitely a slam hit in that o four era.
Speaker 2:So we covered how it was viewed in 2004, but it's 2025 now. It just turned 21. It's officially legal, it can drink on its own.
Speaker 3:Absolutely. How
Speaker 2:is it looked upon now? Because we we consider it a cult classic, which means it's gained, like, a following, I guess, over the years. Mhmm. But how do people view it now?
Speaker 3:So at least for our generation, I do feel like we were a lot of us, not me specifically, but a lot of people were raised with this film. Like, like, growing up, this film that's so centered in that adolescent era with its themes of, like, connection and friendship and, like, just taking place in this high
Speaker 2:school of age movie.
Speaker 3:Yeah. I feel like in a similar vein that, like, we love those wimpy kid movies. Mhmm. Because like they were literally us. I think Napoleon Dynamite occupies that similar space.
Speaker 3:At least for how our generation views it. And I do think in this in our current landscape of comedy, in like the vein of like, and I Think You Should Leave, which is just blowing up. That show is huge. It's everywhere. I do think like that kind of shift away from like punchline focused comedy and more situational absurdity
Speaker 2:Mhmm.
Speaker 3:Is like all the crazies these days. And Napoleon Dynamite was doing that
Speaker 2:Back back
Speaker 3:twenty years ago. Yeah. Yeah. So I do think in a really interesting way, the magic of that film is extremely relevant in, like, what we want to see now.
Speaker 2:So looking at, like, today's youth, I guess, do you think that deadpan humor in that slower pace is still something that they'll enjoy? Like, because we talk about doom scrolling and TikTok and just constant, like, being, like just having so much media thrown at you.
Speaker 3:Stimulated twenty four seven. Do we
Speaker 2:think that, like, Napoleon Dynamite would still do well if you were would were to show it to, like, a middle schooler right now.
Speaker 3:I think if their brain is not too far gone, I think so. Because I to your point, I do think it's slower pace
Speaker 2:Mhmm.
Speaker 3:Could kind of be a hurdle for some younger viewers in this era. But at the same time, it's themes and it's comedy. I don't think I don't think are
Speaker 2:I don't think they'd be entirely lost.
Speaker 3:Yeah. They're not too obscure to like not appeal to someone growing up. And I to your point, I feel like if you showed this especially to someone in high school, they'd be like they'd be chill with it. You know? Mhmm.
Speaker 3:They I think I think there's something for everyone in Napoleon Dynamite.
Speaker 2:I do think that so, like, at least for me, like, my roommates will not watch this with me just because they get so much secondhand embarrassment from it. Yes. I think to, like, the extent of, like, if you're someone who's going to like it, you're gonna love it. Yes. And I think that that still applies with today's youth where it's obviously not for everyone.
Speaker 2:But what movie is everybody's cup of tea?
Speaker 3:Absolutely. And this is kind of different topic. Another film that recently came out was Tim Robinson's Friendship Yes. With a lot of Tim Robinson coming up here. But that's I feel like that's what's pop what popular comedy is kind of looking like, at least from my angle right now.
Speaker 3:And that film was divisive. Is it funny? Is it not? It's super awkward. What's even going on?
Speaker 3:There are no jokes.
Speaker 2:It's kinda similar to Napoleon Dynamite with the plot where it's not really like a there's no plot throughout the whole thing. There's a lot of events.
Speaker 3:It's just things happening to these characters. Like, I don't know. It's there are parallels there. I just it's really interesting to have a film like that release in this landscape and also be polarizing when we dealt with this twenty one years ago.
Speaker 2:Napoleon Dynamite. So if we're gonna talk about how this film would do today, we do have to look at Pedro's character. So some critiques may be that Pedro's character is a blatant stereotype. Do you think that that character would fly in today's time? Or do you think it'd have to be changed or toned back?
Speaker 2:Like, are your thoughts on that?
Speaker 3:So I think that's a great question. I think if it were to be released today and written for today, I don't think that character would exist the way he does in the film. Mhmm. However, in terms of the film holding up and when it came out and how it can be viewed today, I don't think I don't think it's problematic. I have I have some reasons.
Speaker 3:Okay. Have some reasons. So this is kinda stepping back. But his cousins, you know his cousins. They drive the low rider.
Speaker 2:Oh, absolutely.
Speaker 3:That's also like, okay. This there could be some stereotyping going on here. But if you think about the film itself, the only reference it ever makes to his identity is through the evil competitor class president runner Summer Wheatley. Because she makes a comment about no one wants to elect you because you're gonna feed us chimichangas all year. Yeah.
Speaker 3:So the villain of the film or its its stance on race has nothing to do with the identity of its other characters or the film itself. But if anything, it's just rooted in Summer Wheatley's awful. She's this horrible character. No one makes light to his ethnicity
Speaker 2:except This side Summer Wheatley Yeah.
Speaker 4:In front of the whole school, by the way.
Speaker 3:Absolutely. So to me, I feel like at least in regards to the film specifically and not grander culture, what it's doing with Pedro is not problematic. If anything, it's an underdog story.
Speaker 2:Mhmm.
Speaker 3:And yes, he's this extremely shy kind of, I don't know.
Speaker 2:He's moved into a new country.
Speaker 3:Yeah. He's he's kind of an underwhelming character, an underwhelming force. But at the same time, do you not love to see him win?
Speaker 2:You do love to see him win.
Speaker 3:That's what I'm saying.
Speaker 2:Part of, like, the climax of the movie is him winning this class election. Yeah. So it kinda builds like a space for us to root for him the whole time.
Speaker 3:Absolutely. And sure, you may I I fully I fully understand the lens that, okay, this is a stereotyped character and this exists in that space. However, I feel like what the film is doing with it, that is not the intention.
Speaker 2:So Jonathan, how do you think that this content may be perceived, like, in the future? I know we kind of already touched on, like, kids' attention spans and stuff like that. But, like, what are your thoughts?
Speaker 3:Yeah. I think, like, because it already occupies the space as, like, this cult, indie, oddball, quirky film, I don't think that'll change too much. I mean, the generation before us, it's more in their public lens, and it's kind of been passed down to us. But I feel like with a film like Napoleon Dynamite, where it's kind of birthed from this like indie scene and kind of cultivated by just like die hard fans. I feel like it's not it's not gonna go away anytime soon.
Speaker 2:I like to think about how many films are more than twenty one years old and we still hold them to the same like degree.
Speaker 3:Oh, absolutely. You think like Some Like It Hot is like revered as one of the greatest comedies of all time. And like that is an old film. But film is moments captured and you can watch them as many times as you'd like. And I feel like those moments regardless of time still either hold up or they don't.
Speaker 3:And just like Homer's epics in the far years of the past, and classic stories have been told from generation to generation through Vikings and ancient things. I feel like our culture is going to send Napoleon Dynamite down the line.
Speaker 2:I mean, I'll be showing it to my kids for sure.
Speaker 3:They'll That's have to watch what I'm saying. It will last forever as long as the fans are still there.
Speaker 2:I think yeah. The fan following is so strong. They're gonna pass it on. I don't think we need to worry about it dying out. Yeah.
Speaker 4:My name is Kaylee Martins. My name is Erin Naksu. My name is Allison Kelly. When I complete my degree, I want to be a film and TV editor. I want to work in the animation field.
Speaker 4:I want to work as a live director. My name is Kaylee Martens. My name is Arnak Su. My name is Allison Kelly. And I am a ComArts Start your journey at comartsci.msu.edu.
Speaker 2:Okay, Jonathan. We've got some questions from the audience to go over.
Speaker 3:A tear them.
Speaker 2:Is this film too cringey? Did the movie become so cringey in its humor that it is no longer satirically funny?
Speaker 3:That's an interesting one. To me, what makes the film so polarizing more than anything is its form of comedy. How do we approach jokes here? Are there jokes here? What is even going on in this film?
Speaker 3:This film has no story. I feel like I hear that a lot. Mhmm. Is the film too cringey? I think maybe, yeah.
Speaker 3:But like that's also why I love it.
Speaker 2:It's like you find the humor in that cringe.
Speaker 3:Yes. It's like it moments can be hard to watch or like what is going on? Why what is the point? What is the point? What is the point of Napoleon Dynamite?
Speaker 3:But I feel like that's where the life is found. But if someone on the other viewpoint would be like, no. This film is devoid of anything at all.
Speaker 2:See, my roommates again, I mentioned they won't watch it with me. It's because they get so much secondhand embarrassment Mhmm. That there's no there's almost no payoff. And I think it's because you could look at it the viewpoint of, like, this character of Napoleon is so cringe that I can't even relate to him. Mhmm.
Speaker 2:I don't need him to succeed. So then it's like, there's no payoff to the second hand embarrassment, especially with there being no plot.
Speaker 3:Yes.
Speaker 2:Really? I can see how that would be kinda tough for people. Do we think that it's over the line, though?
Speaker 3:Over the line?
Speaker 2:Cringey. Like unredeemable? Unredeemably cringey.
Speaker 3:I do not think so. I because to your point of like, I can't even root for this guy because he has too many sick skills and he's asking if the chicken have talons. Like, all I'm saying is that I feel like there's a part of him in all of us. There's a there's a part of him in all of our adolescence. There's that phase.
Speaker 3:We all had that phase. And I feel like he is that phase. So I feel like, yeah, is it arguably awful to watch sometimes? Absolutely. However, I don't think it ever crosses a line where I need to turn this off.
Speaker 3:Yeah. I think it's almost like it's the hand that's guiding you through this wonderful world.
Speaker 2:I would I would argue that in order to not think it's too cringey, you gotta be in the you have to have that kind of humor. Everyone thinks different things are funny. Mhmm. You definitely need to be okay with, like, a drier, more deadpan sense of humor Mhmm. Than, like, different humor types, I guess.
Speaker 3:Yeah. No. I can I can fully agree with that? So, yeah, I don't think I don't think it's too cringe.
Speaker 2:Alright. Next question from the audience. Can you tell that the film is low budget? I like, I'm gonna share my take on this first real quick. I think I can't tell from a, like, a film production standpoint.
Speaker 4:Mhmm.
Speaker 2:It's solid tech wise. It doesn't look like it was it doesn't have sound issues, video issues. It doesn't look low budget in that sense. I do think the low budget look of middle of nowhere Idaho is kind of what adds to that story and the charm. And I think that's what people mean when they say low budget.
Speaker 3:Yeah. It just, like, the inherent aesthetic of the film being as simple it is Mhmm. Kind of reads like, okay, we don't have money.
Speaker 2:A little bit.
Speaker 3:And okay. I kinda had I agree with you technically, but I also do feel like you can tell. You can absolutely tell that this And is a lower budget I think a lot of that comes from like, where are these scenarios taking place? Like you said, in the middle of nowhere, in a school, and in, like, two houses. You know?
Speaker 3:That's good point. Like, these small locations, every prop tell me one prop used that you can't go out and find.
Speaker 2:Yeah. The nunchucks. He never actually has them, does he?
Speaker 3:He never actually has them. So that's like to me that like low budgetness is just like I think it's kind of obvious. But at the same like you said, though, technically, it doesn't detract at all. Yeah. If anything, it grounds it and makes me be like, oh, yeah.
Speaker 3:This is just the real world.
Speaker 2:See, I always thought it added to the comedy. Like, when he's got his house and there's just nothing in the back, it's just cornfields, I I grew up somewhere a little bit more rural. Mhmm. And to me, like, that kinda made it that that elevated the humor for me. It made it more funny that there is just literally nothing there.
Speaker 3:Yeah. And Tina lives right across the fence. Come get your dinner.
Speaker 2:Mhmm.
Speaker 3:You fat lard. You know what I mean? I'm like
Speaker 2:I know what you mean. Yeah. You it yeah. You can I guess you can definitely tell that it's a little low budget?
Speaker 3:Yeah. But that that doesn't take away from From the comedy. Phenomenal script.
Speaker 2:I think in a way too, it's like, since there's nothing else there, it kinda solidifies how close these characters are. In my mind, it helps you kind of step into their world a little bit more because there's not a lot there that you need to digest.
Speaker 3:Yeah. That small town feel. It's like the lines are so blurred that it it feels like this little micro adventure that you're looking in on. You know, you're not
Speaker 2:I like that looking in on. Yeah. You're not You're not
Speaker 3:participating, but you're looking in on this. You're you're seeing this.
Speaker 2:Last question. We have talked about this through the entire podcast pretty much. Why do we think this movie is so polarizing? The whole time we keep saying, you love it or you hate it. Like, my roommates won't watch this with me.
Speaker 2:But I watch it, like, all the time. Like, why is this so polarizing?
Speaker 3:To me, it just it comes down to the brass tacks of the comedy. Mhmm. What are these characters doing that is funny? What are they saying that is funny? And I feel like you either get it or you don't or you just don't.
Speaker 3:And I I feel like that's not something that can really be shifted. Like, you're not gonna watch Napoleon Dynamite six times and on the sixth viewing
Speaker 2:Be like, oh my gosh. I get it
Speaker 3:I actually love this movie. Yeah. No. Like you said though, I feel like by round two, you kind of have your take.
Speaker 2:Mhmm.
Speaker 3:Yeah. We know people who can't stand this this film in any capacity. And then Jared Hess makes a Nacho Libre, which I know people who hate that film too. And I'm like, guys, these are hilarious. I
Speaker 2:All comes down to personal preference.
Speaker 3:It all comes down to preference. Comedy is subjective. And it depends on who you ask. So to me, that is that polarity kind of cut and dry.
Speaker 2:Mhmm. Alright, Jonathan. Now it's time to discuss, does this content hold up? Right? We're on the classic hold up.
Speaker 3:Absolutely.
Speaker 2:I think something you told me earlier before this interview, we talked about kind of adolescent loneliness. Do you think that that's still a good standard in today's times?
Speaker 3:I think the way the film handles its idea of of friendship. I think at the end of the film, that is what it's trying to say. Is that shows you the value in connection and finding someone who's there for you. And I think you can cite multiple examples of Napoleon coming through with the dance for Pedro and all these things. But at the end of the day, to me, when I think of the best depiction of loneliness in adolescence I've ever seen on film, it is found in the prom scene of Napoleon Dynamite.
Speaker 3:You walk through that door, you're getting those close-up shots. You're getting that grainy look of all of the decor. And Forever Young by Alphaville is playing in your ears. And whenever I see that scene and he walks into the dance and his date abandons him, like, thinking about it now, I could just start crying.
Speaker 2:It it's pretty sad because at that point in the movie, you've you're starting to feel bad for him. Yes. Especially knowing that Trish doesn't wanna go with him.
Speaker 3:Yes. And then it all collapses. And there you are in that moment with that gentle song reminding you of your youth and that feeling you get all alone in that prom. And I know what you're gonna say. Yes.
Speaker 3:That song is a TikTok audio and you've heard it 5,000 times this week.
Speaker 2:It still reminds me of Napoleon Dynamite. Every time. I hear it. Every single That's from Napoleon Dynamite.
Speaker 3:Why do people love that song? Why do people listen to Canned Heat every day? Because of Napoleon Dynamite. White Stripes, think we're gonna be friends. Napoleon Dynamite.
Speaker 3:Some
Speaker 2:things I'm gonna play devil's advocate here a little bit.
Speaker 3:Mhmm.
Speaker 2:Do we think as far as it doesn't hold up? That type of thing with in today's films, I feel like we don't see a lot of movies with the plot line where it's not a real plot. It's just events. Is the movie too slow? Do we think that that will still hold up today?
Speaker 3:I think it will continue to be polarizing as it has been, as it will be. But I think technically, performance wise, the film looks great. It sounds great. At the end of the day, I think it's a great film. And I think that anyone looking for what it has to offer will find it in Napoleon Dynamite.
Speaker 2:Something I wanted to bring up that you just mentioned, you just mentioned the dance. Yes. That is, I think, for people that haven't seen Napoleon Dynamite, if they've seen any scene from it, they've seen that dance.
Speaker 3:It's that one.
Speaker 2:Mhmm. It is has gone viral. It's still around today. People still do it for their middle school talent shows.
Speaker 3:Yes. They do.
Speaker 2:I think I think that says something about if it holds up. Right?
Speaker 3:Absolutely. I do it in my room alone. You know? Like, the Napoleon Dynamite dance is truly iconic. Vote for Pedro.
Speaker 3:You see those shirts. You see those stickers everywhere.
Speaker 2:Halloween's coming up by the time we're recording this. I'm gonna see some Pedro's out and some Napoleon Dynamite's out.
Speaker 3:You're gonna see Napoleon Dynamite. So many people these days just look like him, let alone the costume. It's gonna be crazy. But I I fully agree. I think in that specific instance, it breaches that indie culture.
Speaker 3:I think this is mainstream. It was a mainstream hit in o four. And I feel like that has breached that. And that dance scene is the most mesmerizing thing you will ever see. You watch that in the dark and you can't look away.
Speaker 3:It's gorgeous. It's immaculate.
Speaker 2:I think they knew. I I I can't speak for them when they made it. Yeah. They had to know this is gonna be viral. Because it's I mean, it's it's the climax of the movie.
Speaker 2:This is the big scene. Yeah. And it still holds up today.
Speaker 3:How do you not know? And what's insane is that they didn't know if they were gonna get Canned Heat as the song. They were fighting for the rights. They had three options for the song.
Speaker 2:Oh my gosh. I didn't know that.
Speaker 3:Yeah. So when they recorded the dance, it was they they performed it to that song, but it could have been other songs too. But they got the money and they got that song, and it altered history.
Speaker 2:Alright. Final moment here. What's our verdict? Does Napoleon Dynamite hold up in today's time?
Speaker 3:Sarah, does Napoleon Dynamite hold up in today's time? Yes, it does.
Speaker 2:Yes, it does. Thank you so much for being here today, Jonathan.
Speaker 3:Thank you for inviting me. It was an absolute joy to talk about one of my favorites, and I'd love to do it again sometime.
Speaker 2:This episode of The Classic Hold Up was written produced by Sarah Cherry.
Speaker 1:Find The Classic Hold Up on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow us at audio video land for updates, teasers, and behind the scenes content of all audio video land productions. The Classic Hold Up is an audio video land production by students of the College of Communication Arts and Sciences at Michigan State University in collaboration with Impact eighty nine FM.