This is one of those "maybe" flicks. I wasn't interested or disinterested. Overwhelmingly positive reviews finally piqued my curiosity, even though that's only because the elitist critics were just surprised it didn't stink as much as they presupposed.

The reason there was doubt at all is that the movie stars Jack Black, a colorful, if divisive, talent. You either hate him or tolerate him (not sure about loving him). Few bounce back and forth. I'm in the latter category, if only for his fun supporting role in High Fidelity. His own movie, though? Not as bad as you'd think.

School of Rock is good-hearted, doesn't dawdle and isn't vulgar, and the movie doesn't focus on potentially embarrassing moments, instead moving right along in the completely implausible and silly plot.

Comedian and musician (his well-reviewed band is Tenacious D) Black is animated in everything he does, like a real-life Daffy Duck. A rock 'n roll fanatic, his Dewey Finn believes he is "liberating people with (his) music," even as he's kicked out of a band and instead of sticking it to "The Man," he's getting stuck in rather uncomfortable positions.

But hey, every rose has its thorn, am I right? He's nobody's fool, and he's not gonna take it just because he's the owner of a lonely heart.

Friend and former bandmate Ned (Mike White) is a substitute teacher and flatmate, who never minded Black's mooching until Ned's girlfriend Sarah Silverman moved in, and brought her bitchiness.

Needing money for rent, Black takes Ned's name to "teach" at a preparatory elementary school. Of course, he knows probably less than these bright kids, do, and the only thing Black is prepared to lead is recess. That is, until he figures out these kids have some music skillz!

In his 2,456th consecutive bonehead decision, Dewey enlists his charges to compete for a rock 'n roll competition. There's nothing quite like corrupting 10-year-olds for laughs!

But yeah, Rock 'n freakin' Roll, dude! Sure, neither sex nor drugs are a part of the formula for "melting faces" here. No, it's more cute-as-a-button kids and milk and cookies for this flick.

Abandon all cogent thought, as no teachers seem to notice all noise from the classroom, and parents somehow avoid being told by their kid what's going on. Even "The Man," stickler principal Joan Cusack, is none the wiser, and even then she could use more Stevie Nix and less uptight adultness.

But you know what? Even though I'm not a fan of hard rock (I rather detest it, actually), once I put aside any common sense, the movie was good clean fun. No need to fight for creative control or worry about how long-haired monster ballads ruined the rock genre, because the message is not so much about abandoning the rules, but setting your own.

The humor isn't gut-busting, but there's plenty of time for giggles and smiles. Black can pull song lyrics out of nowhere, and I have no doubt that much of it was off the cuff during filming.

Get a permission slip and see this one after class. It's worth a few gold stars and a passing grade.