Nacho Libre

2006 • 92 minutes
4.4
1.21K reviews
40%
Tomatometer
PG
Rating
Eligible
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About this movie

Jack Black is at his comic best as Ignacio, a disrespected cook at a Mexican monastery that can barely afford to feed the orphans who live there. Inspired by a local wrestling hero, he decides to moonlight as the not-so-famous Luchador "Nacho Libre" to earn money for the monastery -- not to mention the admiration of beautiful nun Sister Encarnacion.
Rating
PG

Ratings and reviews

4.4
1.21K reviews
Kyle Vansteelandt
January 6, 2022
I like Mexican culture; the food, the music, and the sports, like bullfighting and Lucha Libre (Freestyle Wrestling in Mexico). In terms of film tradition, "Nacho Libre" is the popcorn movie of the children's genre. But it's hardly superficial (we will get to that in a moment). For a simplistic movie like "Nacho Libre," The craftsmanship is well-wrought, because the imagery has some nice execution depending on the mood; The screenplay has some images that look like they came straight out of a Y7 rated cartoon. There is also some images that shows grief during the sad moments. Even the comedy provided by the screenplay pays off too. The well-constructed screenplay delivers sharp comedy because of how well it was timed and cut. I laughed mostly at the broad cartoony slapstick that has been smartly written, especially the wrestling scenes that are amusing. The tone supports the comedy as well at the right moment, exactly. However, it's not hilarious, it's not a laugh-out-loud comedy, but at least "Nacho Libre" is funny. But, not everything about the comedy is funny; it is just a plain gross-out comedy with some farting and some mild slapstick. That leaves some of this kind of comedy empty. The songs in the soundtrack are charming, and were a decent choice for each moment in the film. The score by Danny Elfman is not your typical Elfman-like score for a strange magical family film. This time, he is going for something different and unique. It is more of a playful score that is colorful and flavorful. The cast is a perfect fit for a goofy family-friendly film like this in terms of the looks and the performances. Jack Black is delivers this dry eccentric performance as Ignacio/Nacho with his thick Mexican accent. Although he has the potential to be a luchador, he is a hero who is against anyone who doesn't believe in God as well as religion itself, and will wrestle any champion to get the fortune for the orphans at a church, which makes him likable. However, when is he going to learn that bulls are not attracted to the color red? Bulls are attracted to movement. Hector Jimenez plays Steven, he is a gloomy skinny former street thief that eventually turned into Nacho's partner. He has got a funny scream too. But I don't know how or why he believes in science. They both add credibility to their solid performances. Ana de la Reguera was brilliant as the lovely Sister Encarnacion. Silver King is a wrestler himself, and he plays an unsurpassed champion called the Great Ramses. This two-dimensional brute is the main antagonist. The latter is exactly how I imagined a happy ending would be, and it is truly upbeat and appealing in a simple way. In conclusion: "Nacho Libre" is more than just a goofball slapstick comedy, it is an underdog story with faith, redemption, and heart. That makes this simplistic yet funny comedy has it's purpose to be a family diversion that is suitable for kids ten and up. Recommended.
20 people found this review helpful
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Charles Johns
May 7, 2022
Esta película es simplemente divertida. Algunas personas pueden encontrarlo tonto, pero simplemente no tienen ningún sentido del humor. Jack Black es el REY de la comedia. Nadie más podría haber hecho divertida esa película. A mi hijo le encanta. Hasta tiene una mascara y finge ser el luchador jajajaja. Simplemente asombroso.
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Trace Smith (tracefromks)
September 17, 2013
So seriously corny it almost hit funny then didn't. Story is clear scenery okay. Not bad progressing. Sure there's folk who like no brain flicks like this. Not for me tho
24 people found this review helpful
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