Nacho Libre, the story of a Priest turned Luchador, is in part based on truth. There was a Priest, and to ensure the orphans in his charge were fed was a Luchador by night. Though the Priest definitely wasn’t Jack Black, and his story did not play out anywhere near the strange comedic genius of the sports comedy classic.
At first glance, this small-time story of triumph of the will over skill could seem almost condescending in its execution. Though there are for sure odd angles, the film directed by Jared Hess doesn’t have a mean bone in its body when it comes to the motivations and lives of the people it portrays. Nacho is as wholesome and altruistic a character as Jack Black has ever played. Nacho becomes a Luchador, yes, out of his vanity, but when he’s paid for the work he’s done, the first thing he does is ensure the orphans are fed. Everything he does after that is for the orphans at the monastery where he is a Priest.
There are few films in Jack Black’s filmography as winning as Nacho Libre. The actor seems to be inspired by being cast in this particular role. Everything from the curly-haired wig to the pencil mustache to the outfits is all designed to be not just funny, but there is a wholesome, otherworldly charm about it all. There is a childlike wonder to Nacho’s point of view throughout the entire film that also permeates the film. Only Nacho would believe the yoke of an Eagle would give him superhuman strength … somehow, because Nacho and the film do so earnestly, we believe it too.
It isn’t hard to track how Nacho Libre will end. It’s a sports film and a kid’s one at that. Meant to be a feel-good comedy. Sometimes, a line drive home run is what you need, and Nacho Libre is just that. It’s the kind of film like Rocky before it that trades on the goodwill one has for the tenacity (yes, I did that) of its hero. Like Rocky Balboa, Nacho is an easy too root for underdog filled with quirks and good humor that the best of underdogs have.
The Transfers
The all-new HDR/Dolby Vision Master – From a 4K Scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative is another excellent upgrade. The original Blu-ray and the transfer from 2006 have been an acceptable image that has been repressed multiple times. This 4K restoration allows the image to breathe, giving us a truly beautiful transfer that mimics the warm photographic process that director of photography Xavier Grobet used on this 35mm shot film. The transfer in 4K UHD is highly detailed with a beautiful light grain structure, hewing closer to the organic photochemical look than any other home video iteration.
The Extras
They include the following;
DISC 1 (4KUHD):
Audio commentary by Star Jack Black, Writer/Director Jared Hess and Co-Writer/Producer Mike White
DISC 2 (BLU-RAY):
Audio commentary by Star Jack Black, Writer/Director Jared Hess and Co-Writer/Producer Mike White
Enter Sister Encarnacion: Ana de la Reguera in Nacho Libre
Detras de la Camara: Featurette
Jack Black Unmasked!: Featurette
Exterior – Hacienda – Night: Featurette
Interior – Lucha Libre Ring – Night: Featurette
Lucha Libre: Featurette
Hencho en Mexico: Featurette
Moviefone Unscripted with Jack Black and Héctor Jiménez: Featurette
Jack Sings Behind-the-Scenes: La Cancion de Ramses and La Cancion de Encarnacion
3 Deleted Scenes
3 Promo Spots
Theatrical Trailer
The archival Audio commentary by Star Jack Black, Writer/Director Jared Hess, and Co-Writer/Producer Mike White begins with a gag about ordering food before diving into the film and who drew Nacho’s drawing that features in the film. That is about the peak of information that one will get from this track. This is much more of a discussion of what’s happening on screen than actual information about the production or work done. There is a fair amount of inside joking between White and Black – though Hess does give some information about the production and shooting on location in Mexico. It should be noted that much of the film, the trio spends chewing on food (specifically what sounds like chips). If you have an aversion to chewing, you will want to stay away from this track.
Enter Sister Encarnacion: Ana de la Reguera in Nacho Libre (26:44) – in this all-new interview with the de la Reguera, she begins with how special a film Nacho Libre is even twenty years later. The actor goes on to discuss the audition process; a story about post-audition, and going to the Grove in Los Angeles; working with director Jared Hess, cowriter Jarusha Hess, cowriter and producer Mike White and star Jack Black; the rehearsal process and pre-production; how shooting in 35mm (her last production to do so) affected performance and the entire production; the darker tone of the original script, and examples of what were deleted and altered to make it more “kid friendly”; Luchador culture in Mexico and how she recently attended; and much more.
Detras de la Camara: Featurette (28:34) – an archival featurette looking at the making of the film. This is a fairly detailed look at the production from the pre-production/development, production, and release, with some great behind-the-scenes moments, including rehearsal, stunt training, costume tests, and much more. This is definitely an older style behind-the-scenes look from the heyday of DVD special editions with unfettered access.
Jack Black Unmasked!: Featurette (12:36) – an archival featurette looking at star Jack Black during the production of the film. This is more of an EPK-style look at the star and making of the film with a lighter tone.
Exterior – Hacienda – Night: Featurette (14:59) – an archival featurette looking behind the scenes at the making of the party at the hacienda that Nacho and Esqueleto sneak into, featuring the cast and crew who participated. The featurette is a fairly detailed look at the making of the entire scene with some great behind-the-scenes moments, including Jared Hess directing in Spanish, stories about the great luchador and film superstar El Santo, and Jack Black smoking between takes.
Interior – Lucha Libre Ring – Night: Featurette (15:16) – an archival featurette looking behind the scenes at the making of the various fight scenes in the film, featuring the cast and crew who participated. The featurette is a fairly detailed look at the various pieces of choreography and work the cast and crew did to bring the action scenes to life.
Lucha Libre: Featurette (3:14) – a look at the Luchador (as a culture, the history in Mexico), the action, and stunt work.
Hencho en Mexico: Featurette (2:28) – a look at the production filming on location in Mexico using Mexican actors and crew.
Moviefone Unscripted with Jack Black and Héctor Jiménez: Featurette (9:13) – Black and Jiménez interview one another for this early internet piece of content from the now-defunct website.
Jack Sings Behind-the-Scenes
La Cancion de Ramses (3:47) – a look at the rehearsal and eventual filming of the Ramses that Nacho sings at the party.
La Cancion de Encarnacion (2:32) – a look at the rehearsal and eventual filming of the Encarnacion that Nacho sings before the final showdown.
Deleted Scenes (9:36) – the three deleted scenes play together: Nacho and Esqueleto are told about the way of the Eagle/Visiting the Gypsy King; extended Ramses party scene; Ramses is ambushed in the graveyard.
Promo Spots (1:37) – 3 very unique 30-second TV Promos
Rounding out the special features are trailers for Nacho Libre (2:09); Tropic Thunder (2:29); Road Trip (1:52); Paul (2:34); Body Slam (2:19);
The Final Thought
Kino Lorber has produced another winner with their 4K UHD upgrade to Nacho Libre. Highest Possible Recommendations!!
Jack Black is Nacho Libre! The Comedy Classic comes to 4K UHD in a stacked special edition thanks to Kino Lorber.
The Films
Nacho Libre, the story of a Priest turned Luchador, is in part based on truth. There was a Priest, and to ensure the orphans in his charge were fed was a Luchador by night. Though the Priest definitely wasn’t Jack Black, and his story did not play out anywhere near the strange comedic genius of the sports comedy classic.
At first glance, this small-time story of triumph of the will over skill could seem almost condescending in its execution. Though there are for sure odd angles, the film directed by Jared Hess doesn’t have a mean bone in its body when it comes to the motivations and lives of the people it portrays. Nacho is as wholesome and altruistic a character as Jack Black has ever played. Nacho becomes a Luchador, yes, out of his vanity, but when he’s paid for the work he’s done, the first thing he does is ensure the orphans are fed. Everything he does after that is for the orphans at the monastery where he is a Priest.
There are few films in Jack Black’s filmography as winning as Nacho Libre. The actor seems to be inspired by being cast in this particular role. Everything from the curly-haired wig to the pencil mustache to the outfits is all designed to be not just funny, but there is a wholesome, otherworldly charm about it all. There is a childlike wonder to Nacho’s point of view throughout the entire film that also permeates the film. Only Nacho would believe the yoke of an Eagle would give him superhuman strength … somehow, because Nacho and the film do so earnestly, we believe it too.
It isn’t hard to track how Nacho Libre will end. It’s a sports film and a kid’s one at that. Meant to be a feel-good comedy. Sometimes, a line drive home run is what you need, and Nacho Libre is just that. It’s the kind of film like Rocky before it that trades on the goodwill one has for the tenacity (yes, I did that) of its hero. Like Rocky Balboa, Nacho is an easy too root for underdog filled with quirks and good humor that the best of underdogs have.
The Transfers
The all-new HDR/Dolby Vision Master – From a 4K Scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative is another excellent upgrade. The original Blu-ray and the transfer from 2006 have been an acceptable image that has been repressed multiple times. This 4K restoration allows the image to breathe, giving us a truly beautiful transfer that mimics the warm photographic process that director of photography Xavier Grobet used on this 35mm shot film. The transfer in 4K UHD is highly detailed with a beautiful light grain structure, hewing closer to the organic photochemical look than any other home video iteration.
The Extras
They include the following;
DISC 1 (4KUHD):
DISC 2 (BLU-RAY):
The archival Audio commentary by Star Jack Black, Writer/Director Jared Hess, and Co-Writer/Producer Mike White begins with a gag about ordering food before diving into the film and who drew Nacho’s drawing that features in the film. That is about the peak of information that one will get from this track. This is much more of a discussion of what’s happening on screen than actual information about the production or work done. There is a fair amount of inside joking between White and Black – though Hess does give some information about the production and shooting on location in Mexico. It should be noted that much of the film, the trio spends chewing on food (specifically what sounds like chips). If you have an aversion to chewing, you will want to stay away from this track.
Enter Sister Encarnacion: Ana de la Reguera in Nacho Libre (26:44) – in this all-new interview with the de la Reguera, she begins with how special a film Nacho Libre is even twenty years later. The actor goes on to discuss the audition process; a story about post-audition, and going to the Grove in Los Angeles; working with director Jared Hess, cowriter Jarusha Hess, cowriter and producer Mike White and star Jack Black; the rehearsal process and pre-production; how shooting in 35mm (her last production to do so) affected performance and the entire production; the darker tone of the original script, and examples of what were deleted and altered to make it more “kid friendly”; Luchador culture in Mexico and how she recently attended; and much more.
Detras de la Camara: Featurette (28:34) – an archival featurette looking at the making of the film. This is a fairly detailed look at the production from the pre-production/development, production, and release, with some great behind-the-scenes moments, including rehearsal, stunt training, costume tests, and much more. This is definitely an older style behind-the-scenes look from the heyday of DVD special editions with unfettered access.
Jack Black Unmasked!: Featurette (12:36) – an archival featurette looking at star Jack Black during the production of the film. This is more of an EPK-style look at the star and making of the film with a lighter tone.
Exterior – Hacienda – Night: Featurette (14:59) – an archival featurette looking behind the scenes at the making of the party at the hacienda that Nacho and Esqueleto sneak into, featuring the cast and crew who participated. The featurette is a fairly detailed look at the making of the entire scene with some great behind-the-scenes moments, including Jared Hess directing in Spanish, stories about the great luchador and film superstar El Santo, and Jack Black smoking between takes.
Interior – Lucha Libre Ring – Night: Featurette (15:16) – an archival featurette looking behind the scenes at the making of the various fight scenes in the film, featuring the cast and crew who participated. The featurette is a fairly detailed look at the various pieces of choreography and work the cast and crew did to bring the action scenes to life.
Lucha Libre: Featurette (3:14) – a look at the Luchador (as a culture, the history in Mexico), the action, and stunt work.
Hencho en Mexico: Featurette (2:28) – a look at the production filming on location in Mexico using Mexican actors and crew.
Moviefone Unscripted with Jack Black and Héctor Jiménez: Featurette (9:13) – Black and Jiménez interview one another for this early internet piece of content from the now-defunct website.
Jack Sings Behind-the-Scenes
Deleted Scenes (9:36) – the three deleted scenes play together: Nacho and Esqueleto are told about the way of the Eagle/Visiting the Gypsy King; extended Ramses party scene; Ramses is ambushed in the graveyard.
Promo Spots (1:37) – 3 very unique 30-second TV Promos
Rounding out the special features are trailers for Nacho Libre (2:09); Tropic Thunder (2:29); Road Trip (1:52); Paul (2:34); Body Slam (2:19);
The Final Thought
Kino Lorber has produced another winner with their 4K UHD upgrade to Nacho Libre. Highest Possible Recommendations!!
Kino Lorber’s 4K UHD Edition of Nacho Libre is out now.
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