'Napoleon Dynamite' animated series is funny, familiar, but not too family-friendly

It's Napoleon Dynamite, for sure.

On Jan. 15, the animated version of the enormously popular film debuts on FOX with two episodes at 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. MST. Napoleon's world — from martial arts and mythical creatures to llamas and tater tots — couldn't have been re-created much better in this new medium. And it certainly doesn't hurt to have the voices of original cast members like Jon Heder (Napoleon) and Aaron Ruell (Kip) deliver the dorky dialogue.

Fans of the movie who've laughed through multiple viewings will be all too familiar with the quaint Preston, Idaho, setting. The storylines, however, are fresh, and if the first two episodes are any indication, the animated series won't just be falling back on old gags.

But it seems as though someone felt this show needed a little more street cred in order to hang out on FOX's Sunday animation block alongside "The Simpsons" and "Family Guy." (The first two Napoleon episodes book-end an episode of "Family Guy," in fact.) How else to explain the crass language and innuendo that are sure to be a bit jarring for those who appreciate the film for its nerdish innocence as much as for its quirkiness?

Jared and Jerusha Hess, the husband-wife team who attended BYU and wrote/directed "Napoleon Dynamite," partner with Mike Scully ("Everybody Loves Raymond," "The Simpsons") for the animated version. In a news release, the team says the series "allows us a fun, new way to follow the adventures of Napoleon and his friends and broaden the unique world of Preston, Idaho."

The debut episode, "Thundercone," begins with a throwdown between Napoleon and older brother Kip during a family picnic. (Lafawnduh is nowhere to be found.) After taking a piece of fried chicken skin to the forehead, Napoleon develops an embarrassing patch of acne and starts applying "Rack-U-Tane." The side effects, however, are lust and unbridled rage, and the siblings end up battling it out for the affections of a girl Kip met online named Misty (Amy Poehler).

Rex and Grandma, peripheral characters in the movie, play prominent roles here.

The second episode, "Scantronica Love," starts at Preston High, where one of Napoleon's teachers claims his scantron machine can match the students with their true love. Napoleon, Deb and Pedro end up with some unexpected "scientifically chosen soulmates." Meanwhile, Uncle Rico's latest business venture is to turn Kip into a party entertainer.