Not bad, but not as good as Napoleon Dynamite

Rating: 7/10 (17 June 2006)

This movie isn't bad. The humor and timing aren't as dead on as Napolean Dynamite, which was also directed by Jared Hess. Nacho Libre is a simpler movie with a thinner plot. It's good that there is a movie out there without swearing and disrespect of women, but there are plenty of fart jokes and violence to fill that void. The violence wasn't as cartoon-like to me as it was to others; the wrestling matches aren't presented as faked. People get slammed and thrown across the ring, over and over. I found it to be a bit much. I would have preferred it if they had developed the portion of the movie outside the ring more.
Jack Black is very dynamic as Nacho Libre, the friar who wrestles at night to make money for an orphanage. I understand that he did most of his own stunts. Jack Black has an amazing confidence and intensity, especially for someone who doesn't have the physique that leading men usually do.
I found accusations of racism by some reviewers to be overwrought.
One thing that really bothered me was the sound level in the theater where I saw Nacho Libre. It was too loud. They tell us the studios set the sound level, so bad on you, studio. It turned a pretty good film into somewhat of a trial. Wonder why we don't go to the movies? That's why, among other reasons.