Nacho Libre: A film that will be panned in error, mercilessly, for "racism," but will shine in the end.

Rating: 8/10 (16 June 2006)

Okay, I got to tell you. Hess' "Nacho Libre," was one of those most hilarious, poignant and intensely bizarre pieces of film I've seen in quite a while. First of all, the viewer is hit with an amazing song, which sadly and admittedly, I do not know. And on that note, the soundtrack never lets up. A major highlight in the film was "Bat Macumba," by the Tropicalia-Psychedelia-Brazilian-Portugese-Mish-Mashin' band "Os Mutantes." The rest of the soundtrack never lets up, either. If you're a fan of the soundtracks from Wes Anderson films, you'll be eating up every song in the film, although Jack Black does pull a few Tenacious D stunts.
Which leads me to the first, but least problematic issue this film faces. Jack Black. I am not entirely fond of him... But you can tell he is giving it his all in this film while having FUN at the same time (and by god, it's not racist. and by god, yet once more, it is not akin to black face.) His character is respectable, lovable, and even if you don't like Black - the actor, the comedian, the singer, he is an offbeat character with a struggle that you may be able to relate to in some way. You're here at IMDb, I won't bother to make this thing longer than it is explaining the story. And quite frankly, the film is so colorful, with the richest direction I haven't seen since Napolean Dynamite, or say, The Royal Tenenbaums.
All of the actors, and even the extras, the scenery, the music, the comedy (sans a few fart gags that were fitted into the film for the younger viewers) are priceless and completely memorable. The film also touches lightly on religion in contrast to science. But it's so brief, and funny, it's not heavy-handed. This movie is something you walk out of feeling kind of good about life, and for the state of movie directors these days. Jared Hess, while he didn't pull off the next Napolean Dynamite, in terms of quotability, this is another film he can add as a notch on his belt as a promising, young director with a vision of his own (and it's a damn good, funny, enthralling, and quirky one.) To those unsure of the film from the commercials, or the word of mouth from people who probably haven't even seen the film yet, but call it "racist," it isn't. I think it has something to do with the tensions running high regarding the immigration issue in the US. This movie, while I have no credentials to really sell you on it, is fun for you, me, and the family. It's a beautifully shot film, it's lovable, and very unpredictable; and you walk out feeling pretty good. More movies should kinda be doing that these days, don't you agree?