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Nacho Libre Review

Movies.com Critics

4.5

Dave White Profile

… self-aware doofus-fest. Read full review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 3.0
    52

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Mixed or average reviews
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 33

    out of 100

    Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman

    You can see what the film was going for, but the jokes just sit there; you chuckle a few times, mostly out of lame hope, but you never bust a gut, never really get what you came for.

    Read Full Review

  • 38

    out of 100

    Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

    It takes some doing to make a Jack Black comedy that doesn't work. But Nacho Libre does it.

    Read Full Review

  • 50

    out of 100

    Wall Street Journal Joe Morgenstern

    Once Nacho gets the wrestling bug, though, it's all about Jack Black the irrepressible clown, and the comedy dies a slow death for lack of fresh ideas.

  • 70

    out of 100

    Variety Joe Leydon

    Nacho Libre strikes a delicate balance of whimsy and absurdity that may surprise auds primed to expect wall-to-wall slapstick.

    Read Full Review

  • 70

    out of 100

    The Hollywood Reporter Michael Rechtshaffen

    An amiably clunky, unapologetically silly summer confection that nevertheless lands sufficient lethal slams to the funny bone.

    Read Full Review

  • 75

    out of 100

    USA Today Claudia Puig

    What is missing in plot and character development is made up for in silly fun.

    Read Full Review

  • 80

    out of 100

    Los Angeles Times Carina Chocano

    What's rare to see, and what ultimately makes Nacho Libre so enjoyable, is the story of an underdog who's allowed to remain a humble clown all the way to becoming a hero.

    Read Full Review

  • 80

    out of 100

    The New York Times Manohla Dargis

    Endearingly ridiculous.

    Read Full Review

  • See all Nacho Libre reviews at Metacritic.com

For Families provided by Common Sense Media

OK for kids 10+

A sweet, offbeat movie about caring for others.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know this movie contains a lot of comic action – including some training sessions where Ignacio gets splattered by food and attacked by bees -- and some violence in the wrestling ring (body slams, flying leaps, one character gets a corn cob in the eyesocket). Basically, the stuff 11-year-old boys everywhere will love with nothing to alarm the parents. Some of Nacho's opponents are quirky characters, including some feral dwarf wrestlers.

  • Families can talk about the importance of helping others. Do you have particular gifts (i.e. music, art, ability to talk with others) that could be used to help others? Is it ok for Ignacio to become a masked wrestler, even though the church elders frown on it? Are his motives – helping the orphans – a good enough reason to become a masked wrestler? And how does the Lucha Libre wrestling bring the Mexican community together?

The good stuff
  • message true0

    Messages: Lots of butt-jokes, including passing gas, buttcracks, sphincter-flexing, diarrhea, and feces; also, references to stealing, and even though Ignacio is helping the orphans, he goes against the church elders to become a wrestler.

What to watch for
  • violence false3

    Violence: A street fight and lots of action in the wrestling ring, including flying leaps, body slams, and "the Anaconda Squeeze" also, some "don't try this at home" stunts involving rocks, arrows, bees, fruit, and a bull. No blood.

  • sex false0

    Sex: Mild innuendo between Ignacio and Sister Encarnacion ("I was wondering if you would like to join me in my quarters this night…for some toast.")

  • language false3

    Language: The Mexican accent is played for laughs, i.e. "Puppies" is pronounced "poopies".

  • consumerism false0

    Consumerism: Not an issue

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false0

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: Mild references.

Fan Reviews provided by

5

The fantasy has not ended
This movie is hilarious, but not for everyone. It does not surprise me to hear people say they didn't like it. However, those that like the movie are grateful for the chance they had to see it. It is worth a watch (and maybe two in order to really appreciate the movie). If you liked Napoleon Dynamite, you will like Nachooooooooooo.

5

by muenchjack

4

by Critic021

3


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