User reviews

Classic Jack Black and a simple, fun, feel-good film. Light-hearted and utterly ridiculous, Black performs as his silly self (with a Mexican accent) and whilst the film doesn't utilise jokes, it's goofiness directs the narrative. Black's accent can go wayward at times - especially when he is singing and loses all character - but the story is fun and the choreography is pretty impressive at times.

This movie is based on a real priest, Rev. Sergio Gutierrez Benitez. who has been in over 4,000 matches over the past 23 years. His ring name is Fray Tormenta ("Friar Storm" in Spanish)and he does wrestle under the mask in Mexico to support an orphanage. The story was on the CBS evening news and a couple of the news magazine shows several years ago. Every now and then you either see, or read something about him.

I watch movies to be entertained. If I wanted "deep thought" I'd go to a library. This is Jack Black being Jack Black. The dialog is crude, humor slapstick, and storyline so, so. But it's funny.

I wouldn't buy it for my personal collection, but it's good for an evening of rental movies at home.

It's good to know that farce is alive and well in the world. Since the mid 90's it feels like film makers have lost their grip on truly great weird comedy. Movies that speak to the few and turn off the rest. It seems that even as the tools to unlock our imaginations get flashier and flashier, and special effect budgets grow and grown, American film grow static and stale. Then when it seems like all hope is lost, a film like NACHO LIBRE comes along.

Somewhere in Mexico, a young priest named Nacho (Jack Black) longs to be recognized. He's tired of serving the same bland food to the young boys in his charge. He's tired of being disrespected by the other priests. He longs to be a luchadore (a Mexican wrestler), and to gain the affections of the stunning Sister Encarnación (Ana del la Regura). Then when all hope is lost he teams up with a new friend named Esquelta, and takes the Mexican wrestling world by storm. Will the orphan boys get better food? Will Nacho win the heart of Sister Encarnación? Will he lose everything he has, on a quest to become a great warrior? Giving this movie its due will provide those answers and more. The movie not perfect. It's a little overlong and some of the jokes fall flat on their face. But there is an earnestness and a sweet gentility in the film that will win you over. You cannot enter this movie with the wrong attitude and if you don't like weird movie its not for you. But if you let it entertain you and if you give into the fact that it really bizarre, it will work. You have to take every scene with grain of salt and logic must be thrown out the window. But if you turn off that part of your brain that strives for everything to be plausible, than this film will entertain.

Then for no apparent reason the movie does something I didn't quite expect, it begins to tackle a serious subject. Behind all the silliness is a story about how legalism traps us in a place of boredom and predictability. Whether it be religious legalism or secular legalism, NACHO LIBRE is about a misfit who succeeds because he goes out on a limb. He doesn't give up his religious fervor when the chips are down, when his atheist friend tells him to give into science and logic, and he doesn't give up on God because men of cloth treat him badly. He stays true to his faith and not his religion. This message is not beaten over the audiences head. This is not a religious picture. But it gives the film a dimension that I didn't expect.

Director Jared Hess, doesn't stray to far from his Napoleon Dynamite roots. But that's okay. It works here and he hits the right comic tones. I can't wait for the DVD because I'm convinced that the film really needs to be viewed a second time. Knowing what to expect allows the audience to settle into Hess skewed comedy. The film is very dry and if you don't know what to expect its easy to dismiss the comedy and think the film is horrible. You have to work at it a little bit and let it sink in. But when you get it you'll love it.

If you're looking for an hour and half of silliness you can't go wrong with NACHO LIBRE. It's cute, sweet, and you get to stare at Jack Black's upper torso for far too long. Trust me if you like weirdly sweet Mexican wrestling comedies this is the film for you.

"Nacho Libre" contains much of the same dry, deadpan humor that made "Napoleon Dynamite" so much fun to watch. I'm sure Jared Hess's brand of humor is not for everybody. We're living in an era where Dane Cook is our top comedian. So if you're expecting the same loud, obnoxious gags you see in most comedies nowadays, you'll probably be disappointed. I, on the other hand, love this type of humor. Just like in "ND," the actors don't try hard to be funny. Jack Black is not very convincing as a Mexican. With his skin so white, he sticks out like a sore thumb amongst the rest of the cast. But that's no big criticism. This is a comedy farce, and if his accent didn't sound so phony, I doubt his character would be nearly as funny. As an extra treat for all the "ND" fans out there, his character is paired off with a soft-spoken Mexican buddy. They make a good comic team, with Jack being so short and fat, and his buddy being so tall and thin. I tend to just roll my eyes at many of the crude gags I see in movies nowadays, but I even enjoyed the bathroom humor in this movie. I found myself laughing most of the way through, and this is one of the rare cases where I felt that the film lived up to its trailer. Some of the funniest gags were given away in the trailer, but there are many other funny gags that weren't. If I have any complaints, the movie does sort of drag in the third act. But all in all, "Nacho Libre" is good fun for the entire family. I can't wait to see Jared Hess's next project.

It seems as if Jack Black is foreign to comedy. Actually, I retract that statement. Jack Black is foreign to marketing a film. I would have loved this movie, 10/10 if he hadn't given away ALL of the funny jokes in the commercials. There were jokes that I was laughing out loud at during the commercials, but it was the same joke again. The first line of the movie (meant to be funny) is on all the commericials.

THis movie could have been a great film, and is if you haven't seen ANY commercials for it. But it was pretty dumb, funny dumb.

Do not expect any more laughs than you saw on the commercial

There is no more needed to say about this movie

I really liked Napoleon Dynamite and I think Jsack Black can be funny. After reading a few user reviews I went in expecting this movie to be hilarious and ended up with only a few chuckles. It's a shame it could have been funny but was just average. I can't really recommend paying to see it. The character development and story were basically nonexistent. I just can't believe some of the comments about this film being non stop laughs. If I stayed home and watched some spongebob squarepants reruns I would get more laughs! If it was not for the success of Napolean D this film would be straight to video in the cult films section.

Just, watch the movie. It may seem like a dumb 2006 comedy movie with Jack Black, and that's exactly what it is. It's completely ridiculous and nonsensical, but if you have the right mind set (that being that this is a dumb movie with dumb jokes) you'll most likely enjoy yourself. It doesn't try to be something that it's not, it knows it's a stupid comedy with completely ridiculous jokes and it just is what it is. It's nothing great, really nothing special, no hidden meaning or religious messages it just kind of exist to exist. Just appreciate it for what it is. It has some outrageous jokes and some mediocre acting, but actually has a nice enjoyable plot with the main actors being as ridiculous as possible and honest a great soundtrack. Just trust me when I say to give it a watch, it's on Netflix and is short so you're really not wasting yo much of your time if you don't like it. A lot of great memorable moments and very nostalgic for me, and for me and my family it's a cult-classic.

I saw this movie last night at a screening on the Paramount lot. There are some laughs throughout, but the writing isn't particularly great. Much of what we're expected to find funny is the nuance in Jack Black's performance, which has its appeal. He is a great performer and very graceful in the wrestling ring.

The movie will probably do okay at the box office, just due to Black's appeal and the cult status of Napoleon Dynamite and Mike White. If it was as low a budget as everyone on the bulletin board here claims, the movie will make money and everyone will be happy. I don't think that it will be a huge hit, though, even on the order of Napoleon Dynamite.

Also, I'm curious to know what fans of Lucha Libre will think of this movie. It doesn't explain anything about the sport and some may even find it insulting, in that it often goes for laughs at the expense of the luchadores.

This movie was awful. I kept waiting for it to get funny, but it never did. Then I was just waiting for it to end. It is an hour and a half that I will never get back. The only reason I did not give it a 1 rating is because Jack Black sang and the female lead was beautiful. If you want to see a better movie with Jack Black in it, pick any one of his other movies. So if you find yourself at the video store and this movie and Gigli are the only movies in, pick this one. But if you have any other choices go with them. Jack Black is so much better in High Fidelity. That is the movie you should choose if you want to see Mr.Black in a good movie that is actually funny. Also there is School of Rock. But if you have to see this movie you might as well take your three dollars, place it in an envelope, and throw it away.

I go back to this movie time and time again. I love it

I have fallen asleep every time I watch Napoleon Dynamite. Without fail. But aside from embarrassing myself to every reader, I have to say that I did not mind Nacho Libre at all. The dialog is fine yes, and fart jokes are strategically, if not diabolically, placed from scene to scene. But Nacho is very much a visual film. A treat for the eyes where, with the obvious exception of Ana de la Reguera, actors are not beautiful or glamorous or drowned out in makeup but are real. Their faces have more expressive character than anyone in Hollywood does and, with that foundation, you can build a comedy around that, package it, and let the talent do the rest. With that in mind, I have to say Nacho Libre is a fantastic movie in its own right and Jack Black, well, he just runs wherever the script lets him.

Ignacio grows up all his life wanting to be a luchador. The monastery slaps a ladle and pot in his hands and makes him cook to make some kind of use of him. But inspiration returns to him when he sees a chance at making money in the sport he so often wanted to do.

Jared Hess made a smart move by letting Jack Black run around with the film. From making Ignacio sing for Encarnacion or Ramses, the comedy comes from Black's wit in knowing how Hess wants the film. Extra thumbs up goes to Nacho's partner, Esqueleto, who lets Hess run wild with his unusual imagination. No one knows really the hows or whys of Esqueleto's stance on science, or relationships, or even orphans for that matter but Jimenez delivers the punches. I recommend Nacho to everyone who loved Dynamite. Hess delivers a Hollywood ending, but throws it so over the top that only your inner 4yr. old might laugh for it. Visually, I enjoyed the real world look of Nacho Libre, with the comedy being a plus. But if you look for consistency and you lack the patience of what could be a generally silent film, maybe wait till it comes out for the home.

The major problem with "Nacho Libre" is that it isn't funny. It tries very hard but the jokes are excruciatingly slowly set up and painfully executed. Given the elaborate set ups the payoff is small change. I grinned a few times during the movie but looked at my watch twice as often. It was not very good. Jack Black and Ana de la Reguera were good in the movie and the script had lots of raw material to work with but the execution was really bad. Just having a funny looking character does not make the character funny. Too often a character is introduced and they do nothing but stand there, trying to look funny. Don't waste your time seeing this mess. It just isn't funny.

Nacho Libre is good family entertainment. That pretty much wraps up the film in a nutshell. Does this mean it's a kids film? No, not really, I have no kids and enjoyed it, but that doesn't mean that kids that see it won't be cracking up either. The humor in this film is a bit more from the toilet, there are lots of funny accents and there's wrestling. You can't find a better formula for kids.

Jack Black seems to be really enjoying himself in this film, and his portrayal of Nacho is just as fun to watch. This film might be the closest big screen foray into showcasing the comedic strengths that Black has displayed in really funny SNL sketches and his Tenacious D persona, and maybe that's what made it so fun for him.

The best part of the film though is Esqueleto(Héctor Jiménez), a homeless man turned wrestler and only friend of Nacho. Jiménez is total scene stealer and thankfully they give him plenty of screen time. It's as if someone took the best parts of Taylor Negron and Felix Montano and created the ultimate comedic sidekick.

This film reminded me of the TERRIBLE "Young Einstein". LOVED School of Rock; never laughed one time while watching Nacho.

Wouldn't it be funny if a friar wanted to be a "pro" wrestler? Could be... but not here.

Wouldn't it be funny if he drove an odd motorized shopping cart? (Answer: no.)

Wouldn't it be funny if, while driving the odd motorized shopping cart, he (off camera) runs off the road! (Answer: no.)

Wouldn't it be funny if... (Answer: no, no, no.)

His facial expressions are always excellent. I love Jack Black. I hope he's embarrassed by this film and as a result, shoots for higher standards in the future.

I have followed Jack Black's performances since Cable Guy with great interest so i was really hoping to fall in love with his latest creation, Nacho, a monk who longs to be a luchador, however this was not to be. Nacho Libre is wrong on so many levels, firstly Jack Black waltzes through this film with a rehashed school of rock performance, full of zany stomping, crazy faces and an awful Mexican accent which slips during his Tenacious D episodes, which are peppered throughout the film. Secondly the script seems like an afterthought with real gags few and far between. (I laughed more watching Titanic than i did in this 'comedy'!) With every minute that passed in this film i grew more ill at ease but don't take my word for it... go see this horror for yourself! be afraid... be very afraid!

This is a great movie filled with plenty of fun laughs and a genuinely fulfilling underdog story. Jack Black shines with a classic performance and the set and tone perfectly encapsulates the entire film. This knows the story they are telling and approach it with tenderness and care for all the characters involved. Fans of Napoleon Dynamite will love this film as it feels almost like a spiritual successor. Well rounded cast of fun and delightful supporting characters which paints this small community and makes you truly root for Nacho's story. Cannot say enough great things about this movie. If you haven't checked this one out it's filled with heart and joy. Plenty of jokes in there for the adults to quote and slap stick moments sure to delight the kiddos watching. So underrated and definitely worth a watch.

Time is so precious. Undeniably precious. Too bad I will never have that one hour and forty minutes that it took to sit through this dreck, back. Given the fact that Nacho Libre was directed by Jared Hess, who directed one of my favorite films of 2004, Napoleon Dynamite, I was looking forward to some great comedy. But instead, I got a pile of poo-poo. Jack Black plays Nacho, an orphan raised as a man who becomes the cook of a Mexican monastery in Oaxaca, Mexico. The monastery is on the brink of financial ruin, but Nacho finds it in his heart to become the greatest 'Luchardore' there ever was, also known as a Mexican wrestler, to earn money for the monastery and to feed the children. Enter the lovely and beautiful Sister Encarnacion (Ana de le Reguera), who he tries to impress and takes a special liking to her.

There's no doubt about it... Jack Black is very funny. His Mexican accent is pretty much played for laughs. And we do laugh when he speaks. Hector Jimenez plays, Esqueleto, Nacho's skinny little sidekick. His facial expressions are perfect for comedy. But there's no story here. No explanation about the sport. Nacho Libre is a complete mess and seemed to be edited five minutes before the screening I attended. I do give kudos to Black for being a sport about wearing tights and having his enormous belly hang out for most of the movie. He just seems so out of place here. The four kids who were sitting right behind me were having a field day with the slapstick humor and fart scenes. And to a point, so was I. But I'm still longing for that precious hour and forty minutes that are gone forever.

Much to my surprise, as I begrudgingly went to the movies with my 12 yr old son, I LOVED this film. I expected nothing, yet in return, I received a wonderful 1 hour and 40 minute respite from the real world, filled with slapstick humor and total silliness. Slapstick humor always walks a tightrope between bad taste and belly laughs. The Three Stooges are mind-numbingly inane: most laugh intensely and some never get the joke. Laurel and Hardy isn't for everyone either. Nacho Libre is not filled with Woody Allen irony, it doesn't have Christopher Guest's drollness, and it's not James Brook slick. It's not sophisticated humor! How can any film featuring Jack Black as a Mexican friar/fryer/wrestler/wannabe wooer ... all for the "good of the orphans" be taken seriously? It's simply for the 12 year old boy in all of us who laughs when Moe hits Curly and laughs when fat guys, even with over the top Mexican accents, are paired with skinny guys ... in a wrestling ring ... with stretchy pants.

I originally wrote this as a reply to a poster who asked if the mean IQ of people who liked this was 93, but the post was subsequently deleted. But to him I say, "By the way, I'm a physician and my IQ is a tad over 93. But even if I had no job at all and even if my IQ was 93 ... who cares ... I laughed, with my son, eating popcorn, in the dark. And that's the joy of sharing a movie like this." No es?

A funny Mexican comedy about a monk who dreams of becoming a prize wrestler, whilst at the same time wants to cohabit with a hot, new arrival Nun. The costumes are very authentic to the real Luchadors of mexico. Along with the obvious slapstick is an endearing, romantic tale.

I decided to go see this film because I did not want to see the Adam Sandler movie which was showing (previous bad movies).

I had no idea what the film was... except I was told it "looked funny" and was a "comedy".

If Comedy has been re-defined then no-one told me... this film is far from funny.. I have seen more entertaining things happen on Big Brother or while eating breakfast. This film started off badly, continued badly and ended even worse.

The acting was poor, the jokes were the mental age of a 3 year old and the story line was not interesting at all.

They could have cut down all the time spent on the lame fighting scenes and made this into a kids TV show.

Grr.. I want my money.. and wasted time back! Go see or rent something else!

This is one of the funniest movies ever. I can see how Nacho Libre's unique and comedic delivery, resonates with a lot of Napoleon Dynamite viewers. But, really, it's not even close. Every single scene in Nacho is outrageously funny, and Jack Black is BRILLIANT! The supporting cast was awesome too. With a ridiculous premise, arduous plot, and inconceivable message, I chose to watch nothing instead. Many times. I chose...poorly, because the director/cast/comedic gods of this flick have gone and made the impossible possible. Nacho Libre is "dee-based"!. See it, please.

Perhaps being a huge Jack Black fan led up to my disappointment. Honestly, I think he did the best he could with what he had. The script had room for jokes but they never came. Whenever a film has to resort to a fart to make the audience laugh, there just isn't much to entertain you. Jack is an actor that feeds off support and he had none in this film. He was literally walking the plank while trying to deliver humor. Good guy triumphs and everyone leaves with a warm fuzzy feeling. I left wondering why Jack Black took the part. I think the idea was to come up with a new "Napoleon Dynamite" for the Summer but this one fell short.

Again Jack Black bounces around like a moron, plays a pretend trumpet, and kicks his legs when he runs, and where have we seen this before...every movie he has been in. The writing of the movie left a lot to be desired all though I did enjoy the way it was shot. This movie may have been better if Jack Black would have stayed behind the scenes as only a producer...basically he is horrible and needs to not be in movies anymore...either that or get a way to play a character. The other notable piece of this movie was how much like Napleon Dynamite this movie resembled...apparently lighting did not strike twice for the Hess brothers