No pop to animated 'Napoleon Dynamite'
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It's been almost eight years since "Napoleon Dynamite" hit theaters and became a brief sensation among teens and 20-somethings. It's not clear why Fox thinks there's enough lingering affection for this particular cult movie that had a minor impact, but the network rolls out an animated "Napoleon Dynamite" series anyway, airing episodes at 8:30 and 9:30 tonight on WPGH.
Voice star:
Jon Heder.
Actors from the film return to voice animated versions of their characters, and if the premiere episode, "Thundercone," is any indication, "Napoleon Dynamite" will remain an acquired taste that's acquired by too few to make it a lasting TV show.
After 32-year-old loser/grandmama's boy Kip (voice of Aaron Ruell) tosses chicken skin onto the forehead of Napoleon (Jon Heder), his awkward 16-year-old brother, Napoleon develops a zit outbreak that can only be cured by Rack-U-Tane. The salve has the side effect of causing "lust and unbridled rage," which Napoleon channels by joining the Preston, Idaho, fight club.
Other than re-living some of Napoleon's favorite catchphrases from the 2004 movie, there's not much enjoyment to be gleaned from this obvious, unfunny episode.
First Published January 15, 2012 12:00 am
