School of Rock (2003)

Remember way back when, where Jack Black was a respectable actor? This was then. School of Rock, which is arguably his most popular starring vehicke, is a very fun movie. Is it a very funny movie? No, not necessarily. It was a lot of fun to watch. Jack Black has the performance of his career, before everything came down on him and he was thrown off the map (Year One). The plot of School of Rock concerned Dewey Finn (Jack Black), who was just kicked out of his band and needs to pay his rent, or else his roommate Ned (Mike White) will kick him out. Ned is a substitute teacher, and one day, when he is out and Dewey is in, a call comes in for Ned, as a job comes in for him at a prestigious prep school in need of a substitute immediately. So, doing the good, responsible thing, Dewey pretends to be Ned so he can get some money. Then, he decided to take the children he is working with and form a band in order to win the Battle of the Bands and the $50,000 prize. This ‘foolproof’ plan is in danger thanks to the principal of the school who is as uptight as the school she runs, Roz, played by Joan Cusack. Cusack plays the role very well, a perfect contrast to Jack Black’s slacker personality. The kids Dewey teaches are also a large part of the film, and they give off some great performances, especially Miranda Cosgrove pre-iCarly. All in all, the film comes together and works as a very enjoyable film for the family (NOTE: the rating of the film is PG-13, but it is very unnecessary. The film should have been rated PG. There are a few minor references and some bad words, but nothing too major, and nothing any child around nine probably hasn’t already heard at school or from the TV). Is School of Rock perfect? No. Does it deserve all of the praise it has been given? No. (what world do we live in where School of Rock is higher rated than Anchorman?) But is it fun? Yeah. It is.
7.5/10