As a break from the remake train that Hollywood continues to try and coast on, it’s nice to see a story as goofy as "Nacho Libre" get the summer blockbuster treatment. Even when "Nacho Libre" is one of those movies that goes down better in chunks than as a whole. "Nacho Libre" is the kind of movie whose morsels of fun scenes will be chowed down and memorized as mp3 snippets and in scenes ripped from bootleg DVD’s and played on endless repeat on YouTube until the lawyers make the kids take it down.

As the first studio feature from "Napoleon Dynamite’s" director Jared Hess, "Nacho Libre" presents itself in Jared’s now signature front and center way that puts both the talent and audience at a comfortably awkward perspective that generates a smile even before the actors speak their lines. And this approach keeps the camera’s rolling on Jack Black, who’s big name star anchors the movie and seem worthy of advertising on the side of buses.

Jack Black settles nicely into playing himself dressed as a monk in Mexico who longs to pursue a lifelong dream of becoming a professional wrestler. As a Jack Black vehicle, "Nacho Libre"’s story threads weave him into enough wacky situations that he can pull us through in the most Jack Black ways possible. It doesn’t matter that he slips in and out of his ridiculous attempt at a Mexican accent more often than he’s thrown out of the ring. The audience came in to see JB be funny and the good bits help you forget the movie’s haphazard pacing. Just when the plot seems to have meandered off for good, Jack Black comes in with a few nuggets of trumped up fun to wake you up and bring some laughs back to your face.

And as much weight as Jack Black carries in this movie, "Nacho Libre" would be nothing without the support of Nacho’s skinny wrestling partner, Esqueleto – also known as the Skeleton and righteously played by authentic Mexican talent, Hector Jimenez. As both straight man for Jack’s lines and bringer of comic weirdness from his own, the spindly street urchin keeps the Nacho story interesting, and when paired off with Jack Black they together gives the movie enough juice to go on through the big wrestling match at the end.

And let’s not forget the wrestling. Mexican Lucha Libre wrestling embodies a spirit all its own. From the full head gear and masks to the variety of Luchadores who come in all shapes sizes age and background. This backdrop opens keeps the "Nacho Libre" charged enough so audiences can overlook its flaws, sit back and enjoy an original summer blockbuster. Hoping to learn the way of the Eagle without the eggy mess, for Movie Magazine this is Purple.

© 2006 - Purple - Air Date: 6/21/06