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With School of Rock, the irrepressible Jack Black takes a hackneyed premise and almost single-handedly transforms it into a buoyant, frequently hilarious comedy. He plays Dewey Finn, an egotistical rock-star wannabe whose self-absorption gets him ejected from the band he started. Determined to succeed but strapped for cash, Dewey impersonates a friend in order to take a substitute-teacher job at a tiny prep school, where he recruits young music students to play in his new band. This is, essentially, no more substantive than the premise for a sitcom episode, but Black's manic performance alone makes it seem fresh and innovative. There's a surfeit of nervous energy in that bulky body of his, and his impish countenance reflects every sneaky little thought that flits through his mind. Director Richard Linklater attempts to bring some individuality to the kids, but none of them is especially memorable; in fact, only Joan Cusack (as the school's uptight administrator) manages to capture a share of the viewer's attention while Black is also onscreen. School of Rock represents a considerable concession for Linklater, who made his reputation by directing such quirky little indies as Slacker and Dazed and Confused. His handling of this fairly conventional material is decidedly mainstream and nonthreatening -- it's even, dare we say, cute. In the end, it's Black's gleefully subversive persona that gives this enjoyable comedy its edge. Ed Hulse

All Movie Guide

The world's least-employable heavy metal guitarist is entrusted with the minds of upstate New York's best and brightest in this fish-out-of-water comedy. Jack Black plays Dewey Finn, axe-bearer for a fitfully successful bar band determined to win a regional battle-of-the-bands competition. There's only one thing standing in their way: the self-indulgent solos and crowd-diving antics of their "embarrassing" lead guitarist. When his band votes him out in favor of a would-be rock god, Dewey has to make the rent somehow, and after intercepting a call for his substitute-teacher roomie Ned (Mike White), the pot-bellied slacker finds himself in front of a class of elite elementary school students. At a loss for a lesson plan, Dewey takes offense at the pre-teen prodigies' staid musical regimen and makes it his goal to preach them the gospel of the Who, Led Zeppelin, and AC/DC -- with the ulterior motive of getting them to compete against his former band for a cash prize. But no matter how willing his pupils, Dewey runs up against the consternation of the school's stern headmistress Principal Mullins (Joan Cusack), the battle-of-the-bands' promoter (Frank Whaley), and not least, his identity-deprived roomie Ned. Michael Hastings

Product Details

• UPC: 097361397047
• Source: PARAMOUNT
• Region Code: 1
• Presentation: Wide Screen
• Sound: Dolby AC-3 Surround Sound
• Editions: Subtitled, Dubbed
• Time: 1:49:00
• Sales Rank: 29,765

This DVD is also available as part of a box set:

• 3 Movie Comedy Collection
• School of Rock & Orange County

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