The School of Rock

Released 2003
Stars Jack Black, Mike White, Joan Cusack, Zack Denny, Sarah Silverman, Kevin Alexander Clark, Miranda Cosgrove, Joey Gaydos, Cole Hawkins
Directed by Richard Linklater

Jack Black is a living, breathing, sweating advertisement for the transformative power of rock 'n' roll, in "The School of Rock," the first kid movie that parents will like more than their children. He plays Dewey Finn, failed rocker, just kicked out of the band he founded. Rock is his life. When he fakes his way into a job as a substitute fifth-grade teacher, he ignores the lesson plans and turns the class into a rock band; when the kids ask about tests, he promises them rock "will test your head, and your mind, and your brain, too."

Now that's a cute premise and you probably think you can guess more or less what the movie will be like. But you would be way wrong, because "School of Rock" is as serious as it can be about its comic subject, and never condescends to its characters or its audience. The kids aren't turned into cloying little clones, but remain stubborn, uncertain, insecure and kidlike. And Dewey Finn doesn't start as a disreputable character and then turn gooey. Jack Black remains true to his irascible character all the way through; he makes Dewey's personality not a plot gimmick, but a way of life.

Summary by Roger Ebert

This movie's ok. It has its funny moments and lots of good classic rock, but it also has too much Jack Black. He wildly overacts and mugs and preens for the camera throughout the entire movie, and it was too much for me. It wasn't as bad as watching Jim Carrey in "Ace Ventura," but it was close at times. I give the movie credit, however, for making it as family friendly as they did. Aside from a dozen "ass" words, it's very clean. I wish there would have been a couple more full musical performances like the closing one, though. --Bill Alward, March 7, 2004