School of Rock Movie Review

Story line

When Dewey Finn (Jack Black) is fired from his own band he sets about starting a new one in time for "Battle of the Bands" a talent contest for Rock Bands. He also finds himself close to being homeless as his flatmates Girlfriend gives him 2 weeks to pay his rent. Ned Schneebly (Mike White) is an ex-band member turned substitute teacher, he has been supporting Dewey for years, but all that is about to change!

Dewey answers the phone, a teacher has broken her leg and the school needs a substitute teacher for several weeks while she recovers. How hard can it be to teach? Finn sees an opportunity to make some quick cash, and now the fun begins...

The children are keen to learn and Finn soon realises this is no ordinary School, by chance he watches in awe as the kids take a classical music lesson. Running to the back of his van, he produces several guitars, a drum set and keyboards, here is an opportunity he just cannot pass up!

Instead of maths, language or any of the normal lessons, the pupils find themselves learning the history of Rock, listening to CDs and developing an attitude to rival the greatest rockers around.

Miss Mullins (Joan Cusack) is the head teacher of the School and is a stickler for rules, somehow Finn will have to soften her up if he is to find a way for the band to play in the contest.

A comedy of errors now ensues as Finn stumbles his way through the next few weeks in the School, a particularly funny moment is when he finds himself in front of all the kids parents at the Schools parents evening and declares "I'm not a licensed teacher, but I have been touched by your kids, and I'm pretty sure I have touched them" in the context of the film it's an extremely funny line, and this movie has many, many more...


Score

Craig Wedren does a fantastic job with the music throughout this film, using a heavily Rock influenced sound track as the title of the film would suggest it needs. Fast paced and punchy.

Extras

Commentary by Black Jack and Richard Linklater

Kids Kommentary

Lessons learned in "School of Rock"

Jack Blacks pitch to Led Zeppelin

"School of Rock" Music Video

Kids Video Diary - Toronto Film Festival

MTV's Diary of Jack Black

Theatrical Trailer

Widescreen Version enhanced for 16:9 TV's


Conclusion

When this film came out I was unsure whether to buy it or not, I had seen Jack Black in a few things, a bit role in Enemy of the State, and ofcourse Shallow Hal, I thought he was good in those roles and an actor that had a lot of potential and so decided to buy this film even though my Rock Music background urged me not to.

All that aside, this is one of the funniest films I have had the pleasure of watching in a long while, its polished without being over worked, Jack Blacks brilliance is magnified by a cast of Kids that are incredibly talented. The story line works and whilst it is exaggerated, you still feel for Blacks character and want him to succeed, even though he is an egotistical pillock from the outset.

Great film, fantastic score, brilliantly funny, an absolute must have!