As a person who liked Napoleon Dynamite, I noticed the similarities immediately. So I was struggling to figure out why I didn't like Eagle vs. Shark when my husband pointed out the elephant sitting in the room: the characters aren't in school. One of the reasons it was easy to accept Napoleon Dynamite's world was because school is a socially awkward time in general. True, it dealt with some adults that retained some major issues, but the focus was on Napoleon. In Eagle vs. Shark, everyone is pretty much an adult, and it's hard to feel comfortable enough with the characters to actually laugh. For the most part, their circumstances and personalities seem stunted and sad. They get ridiculed and ostracized, but considering their ages, you get the feeling this will be how the rest of their lives play out.
Another reason there are few laughs in Eagle vs. Shark is the fact that the message, if there really is any, is a little unsettling. The main focus of the movie is on Lily's infatuation with the equally awkward Jarrod. The whole situation is creepy, and gets in the way of any fun you could find in the movie. First, you're never given a reason why Lily falls in love with Jarrod. She works at a fast-food restaurant called Meaty Boy, and he visits every day, but pays her no attention. In fact, he ignores her and pursues her co-worker, but she is undaunted. He never really shows any redeeming qualities deserving of her affection. He harbors childish jealousies and resentments, and nurses an unhealthy grudge against a school bully from a decade in the past. He keeps getting more and more horrible and revolting as things progress, yet Lily remains attached to him. It's really hard to figure out why except that maybe she pities him and feels he's just as bad off socially as herself. I hope it's not just the fact that she notices they have matching moles, but it wouldn't surprise me, considering the fact it seems the director just wants to pile on sad situation after sad situation.
I understand this is about finding the redeeming qualities in a person. I understand that is probably the message - I get it. But what I never got were what the redeeming qualities were. For me, the message seemed more like "no matter how horrible you are, you probably won't get what you deserve." The only person I could root for was Lily, and it was for her to get away from the horrible mess of a person that was Jarrod and realize that she was more than that. I also hoped, just a bit, that you'd see Jarrod end up in some kind of mental health care program, especially after the disturbing fight scene at the end. But it never happened, and it seems no one really discovers their flaws and changes them. Jarrod seems to admit that he's wrong in the end, but reverts back to his hard-headed, insensitive ways anyway (yes, even considering his gifts to Lily, I still felt nothing had changed). The whole ordeal just leaves a bitter taste.
The special features are pretty generous here. It's a matter of quantity, though, not quality. Chances are if you don't like the movie, you won't want to see any more of it. I did find some of the deleted scenes interesting, however, for what they would have contributed to the movie. There's a scene where Jarrod gets playfully imitated by his young daughter. It might have served to make things just a little more lighthearted.
Try Napoleon Dynamite before you try this movie. However, if you feel you must watch Eagle vs. Shark, don't go in expecting a comedy and you'll have a bit of an easier ride. Not enjoyable, necessarily, but easier.
