Disappointing follow-up from Hess!

Rating: 4/10 (13 February 2007)

There are two good things about 'Nacho Libre'; one is the cinematography, and the other is an "inspired" performance by Jack Black in the title role. He's actually pretty good, and stays well in character. However, the movie just cannot sustain itself, and there are little laughs to be found. I think I laughed once, if lucky!
I think Jared Hess's follow-up to the excellent 'Napoleon Dynamite' is disappointing, but wouldn't really be a huge blemish on his career in the long run. I noticed that he has a fixation for aerial shots of food so far. 'Nacho Libre' tries to be quirky, but ends up being irritating, and not even Peter Storemare can add much to this film. Ana de le Reguara is a beauty to behold, but she absolutely had no chemistry with Jack Black, nor did she add that much to the movie. The sidekick character in Esqueleto (Hector Jimenez) was downright irritating. The plot of the film was silly and weak, and its humor seemed to be deliberately paced at a meandering level. Where 'Napoleon Dynamite' was able to deftly use that pace to display the introspectiveness and isolation of its title character. I felt the quirkiness worked better in Hess's previous film.
I wouldn't recommend 'Nacho Libre', but if you are a fan of Jack Black or Hess's previous film, you may want to see it and decide for yourself. I was thoroughly bored though, and found 'Nacho Libre' too slow and predictable with very little to laugh at.
** out of *****!