20 Things You Somehow Missed In Napoleon Dynamite
16. 2000s By Way Of The 1980s
Napoleon Dynamite was set in a contemporary, early 2000s small town. However, a closer look will have you questioning whether Uncle Rico's time machine actually worked, sending Preston, Idaho back to 1982.
The Dynamite household in particular looks like it has avoided even a lick of paint in over 20 years. The character's wardrobes have likewise stayed static, seen most vividly in Napoleon and Deb's prom outfits.
The character's hobbies are focused around quintessential '80s fads. Napoleon has his dance aerobics, Deb has her Glamour Shots business, Uncle Rico is a bygone nuisance as a door-to-door Tupperware salesperson, and Kip's interest in karate aligns with the '80s box-office success of the Karate Kid movies.
Technology is also lagging behind even in 2004. Notably Kip's tired dial-up internet connection and Napoleon enjoying his music on a Walkman cassette player. Other than ‘Canned Heat,’ the movie’s music is overwhelmingly ‘80s, featuring tracks such as Cyndi Lauper’s ‘Time After Time’ and ‘The A-Team Theme’.