School of Rock Movie Review:


Rock ‘n’ roll is a central component of the new comedy The School of Rock, but the film is compromised of a lot more. Jack Black plays Dewey Finn, who is a loser rocker that has never given up on his rock ‘n’ roll dreams to actually grow up. Dewey has recently been kicked out of his own band, and is way behind on his share of the rent to his best friend Ned (Mike White), who is a substitute teacher. In a sense of mistaken identity, Dewey takes a substitute teaching job acting as Ned to get some money. His class is a group of 5th graders at the prestigious Horace Green Elementary School.

Under the watchful eye of the persistent Principal Mullins (Joan Cusack), Dewey first struggles with his communication to the students. After overhearing his students perform in music class, Dewey creates a new class project for them, by being a rock band. Each member of the class has a role that fits their skills from singing, playing, costumes, security, and even groupies. The class becomes known as “The School of Rock,” and plan to play in the upcoming “Battle of the Bands” to beat out Dewey’s old band members. However, the real obstacle for the band is keeping Principal Mullins and the parents unaware of the creation of their band.

The School of Rock is a winner! Not only is this film well made and well acted, it is also funny and delightful. This is a film that parents will probably enjoy more than kids, though it is oriented for both.

Screenwriter Mike White, who previously wrote Chuck & Buck (2000) and plays Ned in this film, centers the story on Jack Black himself. Black is in fact not only an actor, but also a talented rock performer of the band Tenacious D. White’s script does not focus so much on the sex, drinking, and drugs that follows rock bands, like Rockstar (2001) horribly did, but more so on rock ‘n’ roll itself. Some of the best moments in the film are the ones when Black’s Dewey gets totally excited about rock ‘n’ roll, and more so when he is teaching the class the history of rock ‘n’ roll. There are numerous silly moments throughout the film, but most of the jokes strike a laugh or a chuckle. A few of the kid characters, the ones not actually in the band, are mellowed out in the film. Also, there is not nearly enough of Joan Cusack’s Principal Mullins. However, there are enough references to rock ‘n’ roll history, rock legends, and bands for audiences to ponder on.

Indie guru filmmaker Richard Linklater directs his first Hollywood studio movie with The School of Rock. Linklater is a very underrated filmmaker, who previously directed the great Dazed and Confused (1993) and the imaginative Waking Life (2001). His direction with this film is captured traditionally, nothing spectacular, but he keeps the spirit of the film true to its character and script. There is a classic “Linklater” opening sequence in this film, where the opening credits appear on rock posters, people’s jackets, etc.

The School of Rock really is a vehicle that belongs to Jack Black. In his second starring role behind Shallow Hal (2001), Black is just terrific in this film. He is playing a character a lot like himself, but he is not totally unleashed to go over the top as he has done in the past, a lot this has to be credited to Linklater. Black is a hoot in this film and he delivers in The School of Rock. The talented Joan Cusack plays the Stevie Nicks loving Principal Mullins, though not given enough screentime, Cusack lights up the screen in every moment she has. Most of the child actors in the film are strong as well, with each having there own ticks and talents. Young Miranda Cosgrove is the most amusing as the perfect Summer, who holds the reigns as the band’s manager.

I believe The School of Rock is going to be a surprise hit this fall. Jack Black already has a built in fan base, and the film itself is enjoyable. Though the film is rated PG-13, I believe that most families will find it worth seeing.

Grade: B

09/03/03

Joseph C. Tucker

A fantastic collision of talent makes this low-concept comedy far more entertaining than expected--a gifted director (see Dazed and Confused and Tape), incisive writer (see Chuck & Buck and The Good Girl) and two consummate scene-stealers (see High Fidelity and Working Girl). Dewey (Black) is a rock star wannabe, hogging the spotlight to the point where his bandmates finally throw him out ... even though he put the band together in the first place. He shares a flat with his formerly rocking best friend Ned (White), now working as a substitute teacher, and Ned's control-freak girlfriend (Silverman). Then in a moment of desperation, Dewey passes himself off as Ned to get a job as a sub at a posh private school. How hard can teaching 10-year-olds be? When endless recess gets boring he discovers that these high-achieving kids have serious musical abilities, so he sets about weaning them from classical music and teaching them how to rock. Of course, he's preparing them for the upcoming Battle of the Bands, where their main competition will be Dewey's former mates.

For a silly kids' comedy, this is exceptionally well-made. White's clever script is both sharply funny and extremely telling, plotted predictably yet brilliantly resisting or redefining cliches along the way. A lot of the credit must go to Black, who was clearly allowed to run wild as a man who refuses to grow up. While he sometimes drifts into John Belushi-in-Animal House mayhem, he also keeps the character grounded enough so we can identify with him in his efforts to rebel against the constrictions of 'the man'. And this is the area where Cusack shines as the school's nervous principal; she's perhaps the best actress on earth at playing uptight women who bury their wild-child deep within! Credit to her and the filmmakers that they refuse to make her the cartoon character she could so easily have become.

Linklater has never made a film even remotely this commercial, but he always approaches his characters this organically, creating people who seem so real it's almost scary. And in this case it's also quite good fun.

Rich Cline

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 = * * * *

Jamie Kelwick

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