The School of Rock DVD Review:

Kicked out of the rock band he started, as they are about to enter this year’s Battle of the Bands, Dewey Finn (Black) is now without a job and completely broke. Under pressure from his roommate Ned Schneebly and his girlfriend Patty (Silverman) to pay back some of the money he owes them, Dewey pretends to be Ned when he answers a call from local prep-school principle Rosalie Mullins (Cusack) asking him to be a substitute teacher. After hearing his new class during their music lesson, Dewey comes up with an idea and gives the kids a new school project, Rock Band.

After been touted at the next big thing for many years now, Jack Black finally gets a movie that shows off his unquestionable talent.

The School of Rock is a complete showcase of all of Black’s comedy and musical gifts. Anyone who is a fan of his supporting roles in films like Orange County and High Fidelity and of course the greatest rock band in the world (his words) Tenacious D, will know that he a ticking bomb of comedic talent. This is a movie written for that very purpose by friend and fellow star Mike White, giving Black the chance to shine and he grabs the opportunity with both hands and never lets go. He excels in the role bringing a coolness and enthusiasm to the part, seldom seen in this type of movie. In fact “The School of Rock” isn’t your normal run-of-the-mill “unlikely group enter big competition” film.

What makes this film different is its underlying message “you don’t have to win to play a rocking show”. In a media controlled world where winning is everything and success is just a reality show away, it is refreshing to find a movie aimed at children promoting the importance of teamwork and creativity over instant fame and prosperity. They have to know that there is more to music than just singing other people’s songs in front of panel of judges or dancing and singing to a backing track with four or five other people who went through the same auditions.

As well as the exceptional Jack Black, the movie is also riddles great performances from the supporting cast, especially the kids. Director Richard Linklater knows how the get the most out of any of his actors and as with “Dazed and Confused”, he gets the best out of an even younger cast. It could have been so easy to dislike these private school, upper class kids but all of them have endearing qualities that are released by Dewey’s unusual teaching methods. All of them are very good with Miranda Cosgrove as the class swot Summer and Kevin Clark as drummer and bad boy Freddy Jones standing out. Good support also comes from the always excellent Joan Cusack, Sarah Silverman and writer Mike White.

The School of Rock is a great film for all the family. Adults will love the manic exploits of Jack Black and the references to Rock Bands, both past and present. The kids will be inspired by Jack’s class of new Rock stars taking to the stage and showing what proper music and team work is all about. While we could have known more about the kids backgrounds than just that their parents expected a lot from them because they are at private school, the movie still has a very positive message to put across.

Don’t miss your chance to rock out!

Star Rating = * * * *

PICTURE & SOUND

Presented in Widescreen 1.85:1 Anamorphic with a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack, the transfer is very good, as you would expect from a modern film. The picture quality is crystal throughout, even during the darker concert moments. The sound quality is first rate, as it has to be for a movie about Rock! The dialogue is clear but the surround sound really comes into during the climatic Battle of the Bands.

BONUS FEATURES

Commentary by actor Jack Black and director Richard Linklater

The funny and informative commentary is just one continual conversation between two friends who really love the movie. Jack throws in his own insights into all things Rock and the movie business and Richard Linklater reveals that he tried to avoid the cuteness that could have so easily taken of the production. The both applaud Mike White’s script but take the Mickey out of him, as he couldn’t do the commentary with them as he had “the flu”. The both reveal that they like the bringing the band together scene the best. Jack also discusses the fact that he wanted oxygen to be available in the wings during the Battle of the Bands finale, just in case he rocked himself out.

Kids Kommentary

Robert Tsai, Kevin Clark, Joey Gaydos, Miranda Cosgrove, Rebecca Brown, Caitlin Hale and Maryam Hassan come to together for a very fun and chatty commentary track. This is a kid’s perspective on the filmmaking business as they laugh at each other’s performances and constantly take the Mickey out of Jack Black’s Rock skills. They also compare the looping process to Godzilla movies, which sets them off on numerous impressions.

Lessons learned in School of Rock (24.50 mins)

Director Richard Linklater and stars Jack Black, Mike White, Robert Tsai, Kevin Clark, Joey Gaydos, Miranda Cosgrove, Rebecca Brown and Maryam Hassan take you through the nine lessons they learnt whilst making School of Rock. With behind the scenes footage and Jack Black’s own unique sense of humour, they take you through the lessons one by one with each one referring to an element of the film’s development. From creating the script to the Battle of the Bands finale, this extremely amusing featurette will make you want to rock out.

Jack Black’s pitch to Led Zeppelin (3.35 mins)

Never afraid to beg for something he wants, Jack Black pleads with the Gods of Rock, Led Zeppelin to let them use their Immigrant Song in the movie.

School of Rock Video (3.38 mins)

The music video for School of Rock, the song the band plays at the end of the movie.

Kids Video Diary: Toronto Film Festival (8.14 mins)

Robert Tsai, Kevin Clark, Joey Gaydos, Miranda Cosgrove and Rebecca Brown take us behind the scenes of their preparation for the gala premiere in Toronto. We get to see the band have their hair and makeup done at Channel, their press conference, the premiere itself and the after party.

MTV’s Diary of Jack Black (16.32 mins)

Jack Black shares some of his philosophies on life as we get to spend a day with the man. As we peer deep within the mind of the superfreak, we find out that he is hungry for Rock 24/7 and he shares this passion with KG, Kyle Gass, his amigo from Tenacious D.

Theatrical Trailer (2.22 mins)

The full US trailer for the theatrical release of the movie.

OVERALL
Paramount have done a sterling job with this DVD. The presentation of the movie is first rate and when you add in some great extras, you have exceptional value. The commentaries are first rate and Jack Black’s diary is hysterical. The only thing that could have improved the disc was the inclusion of the deleted scenes that are mentioned through the commentary tracks, especially the scene in which Jack Black and Joan Cusack get it on. This aside, this is still a great DVD that everyone can enjoy.

DVD Star Rating = * * * *

Jamie Kelwick

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