School of Rock (Full Screen Edition)

School of Rock (Full Screen Edition)

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Movie Reviews of School of Rock (Full Screen Edition)

Movie Review: Outstanding effort by several of cinema's brightest talents
Summary: 5 Stars

Richard Linklater has quietly put together an impressive string of films since he came out with the ultra-indie flick SLACKERS in 1991. He followed that film up with one of the great high school films ever, DAZED AND CONFUSED, and went on to direct BEFORE SUNRISE and the amazing WAKING LIFE, along with a couple of lesser films. I wouldn't say that this is his best film, but it is his funniest and the most entertaining.

Similarly, Mike White, who also plays Jack Black's roommate Ned Schneebly, has turned out a string of first-rate scripts, and has established himself as one of the better writers on the boundary between independent and mainstream film. I first became aware of him following his very odd (but surprisingly upbeat) indie film CHUCK AND BUCK, which he followed with two strong scripts for ORANGE COUNTY and THE GOOD GIRL, appearing in both of them, most memorably in the latter, where he played Jennifer Aniston's fundamentalist Christian coworker.

The results of putting Black, White, and Linklater together could be expected: a very good film. But the surprising and impossible to anticipate aspect of the film is the superb group of pre-teens recruited to play the students in the class Jack Black teaches ro rock and roll. Instead of targeting actors, the makers of the film went after kids with musical backgrounds, and while it isn't surprising that they do quite well playing their instruments and singing, it is amazing how well they do as actors. They don't merely do well, they and Black together form a great team, both musically and otherwise.

I have to add that I did have a little trouble with all the bands they reference. At one point they play "Roadrunner" by the Modern Lovers, but the brute fact is that knowing and loving that album (which I do) precludes loving or even knowing much about AC/DC. They are oil and water; they do not blend. I have very wide-ranging musical tastes, but they reference way, way too many bands. Musical taste tends to run in definite directions. Megadeth fans don't listen to Television, and Television fans don't listen to Megadeth, and neither listens to Yes while both might listen to Led Zeppelin. There was just an odd blending of very cool bands like the Modern Lovers and the Velvet Underground, and what most sophisticated rock fans consider to be uncool, like AC/DC and Yes. But I think they were striving for an all inclusiveness, which they largely achieved.

Regardless of one's musical taste, I strongly recommend this movie. Jack Black will keep all but the most uptight in stitches, and the story of how a bunch of kids become rockers will keep almost anyone entertained.

Summary of School of Rock (Full Screen Edition)