Verdict
Summary
An endearing goofy comedy with a heart and a soul, Nacho Libre is almost like a popup book fairy tale with a “once upon a time” sensibility that seems to exist only in the movies, and for these jaded times we live in, that’s a welcome breath of fresh air. Star Jack Black was never more appealing and funny as he was here, and director Jared Hess (Napoleon Dynamite, Minecraft) somehow made this movie shine and sparkle as if it came straight from the good-hearted spirit of every dreamer and loving loner who ever existed. It’s laugh-out-loud funny, but also relatable and sweet. What can I say? Nacho is hoot!
Plot:
A good-hearted cook at an orphanage aspires to be a Luchador.
Review:
Ignacio (Jack Black), an orphan, was raised at a humble orphanage in rural Mexico, where he “aged out” and made the place his home, even as an adult. He became the cook, but he was never a very good one, and his one vice in life is idolizing the Luchador wrestlers, and goodness forbid, aspiring to become one himself. Not letting shame get the better of him, Ignacio seizes destiny by the mask and stretchy pants and dons handcrafted garb and jumps in the ring with a beggar he befriends on the street to be his tag-team partner and suddenly becomes an amateur Luchador called Nacho Libre! Somehow, he finds himself flush with cash he makes for being a loser in the ring, and he filters the money he makes into the orphanage, but when a pretty (and very sweet) nun named Encarnacion (Ana de la Reguera) comes to live at the orphanage to teach the children, Ignacio is completely smitten and wants desperately to impress her, which means he must “up” his game as a Luchador and do his best to rise in the amateur ranks so that he can fight the champ, a hulking mass named Ramses. Sometimes, dreams do come true.
An endearing goofy comedy with a heart and a soul, Nacho Libre is almost like a popup book fairy tale with a “once upon a time” sensibility that seems to exist only in the movies, and for these jaded times we live in, that’s a welcome breath of fresh air. Star Jack Black was never more appealing and funny as he was here, and director Jared Hess (Napoleon Dynamite, Minecraft) somehow made this movie shine and sparkle as if it came straight from the good-hearted spirit of every dreamer and loving loner who ever existed. It’s laugh-out-loud funny, but also relatable and sweet. What can I say? Nacho is hoot!
Kino Lorber brings Nacho Libre to 4K Ultra HD in a two-disc combo (Blu-ray is also included) pack for its 20th (!) anniversary. The new 4K scan of the 35mm original camera negative looks and sounds fantastic, and special features include a commentary by Black and company, plus interviews, deleted scenes, promo material, and more.
