“School of Rock” (Paramount Pictures)
“School of Rock” is a film with a lot of rock, a little roll, and more than enough of Jack Black. This actor/musician dominates the film and gives it all its plusses as well as all its minuses. How much you will learn to love about “School of Rock” depends on your enthusiasm and endurance for the Jack Black charm.
In the film Black plays Dewey Finn, an aspiring musician who hasn’t made it big yet. He thinks he and his group are on the verge of breaking through, but then they kick him out and he is on the verge of bankruptcy. His roommate Ned (Mike White) is a substitute teacher and in a moment of desperation Dewey assumes his identity and takes a job as a substitute at Horace Green Elementary School.
Once there he tells the kids there will be no teaching because he basically doesn’t believe in the school stuff. He does agree to teach them about rock and roll. Later he discovers they have musical talent and turns them into a band.
This is where the movie gets really hokey. He does all of this without anyone being the wiser. Even the principal (Joan Cusack) is in the dark. Obviously she and everyone else in the school have a hearing problem. And why isn’t anyone checking up on the substitute teacher
Black was at his best in “High Fidelity” when he stole the show from John Cusack. He also did a little screen robbery in “Orange County.” He was the star of “Shallow Hal” but at least he had Gwyneth to help carry the load. In this movie he is the movie, and his brand of enthusiasm gets old before it is over.
The film is rated PG-13 for profanity and drug references.
You can love rock and roll and still not like “School of Rock.” You can like Jack Black and still not like “School of Rock.” The film is just too idiotic, too loud, too bizarre, and too monotonous. Either that or maybe I have just graduated from enjoying simplistic movies like “School of Rock.”
I scored “School of Rock” a failed 3 out of 10.
