Rating: 
Summary: Outstanding effort by several of cinema's brightest talents
Review: THE SCHOOL OF ROCK reconfirms that Richard Linklater and Mike White are two of the finest talents in the movies today, and proves that given the right vehicle Jack Black can be a superb and exciting performer. Black is not your everyday actor: he is chubby and isn't especially attractive, and possesses an energy and outrageousness that are not at home in very many motion pictures. He has made a number of decent films, but he hasn't really had many that truly meshed with his unique talent, but THE SCHOOL OF ROCK is absolutely perfect for him. His wackiness, his manic vigor, his musicality, and his talent for physical comedy are so right for his role in this film that the part was clearly written with him in mind. 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.
Rating: 
Summary: Everyone should enroll in the School of Rock!
Review: This was a phenomenal mainstream movie that's funny and VERY family-friendly: there is humor for both adults and children, and some GREAT classic rock songs and references will get the adults' toes tapping while children watch actors their age rock out on screen. "The School of Rock" was directed by Richard Linklater ("Waking Life", "Dazed and Confused", "Slacker") and written by Mike White (who plays Jack Black's roommate in this film). Jack Black really shines in any role that is music-related (see also: his stellar performance in "High Fidelity" and the work of his own band Tenacious D). But even beyond the main role, there is some tremendous acting here, both the adults (the aforementioned Mike White, and also Joan Cusack is great as an uptight elementary school principal) and the children. There are a few moments in the film that aren't well-explained, but overall, this is a great family feel-good movie.
Rating:
Summary: Now this is a movie I recommend to parents!
Review: Normally, I don't like Jack Black too much, but this movie was great. At first, I was a little skeptical but the more I learned of it, the more hopeful I became. When I went to see it, I wasn't disappointed. One thing in particular I liked about this movie was the message. Rock'n'roll is about freedom, individuality, and the ability to express yourself the way you want to through music. Modern rock, for the most part, is just a lot of guys whining about how miserable their lives supposedly are, despite the fact that they have millions of fans, can buy and sell said fans, and are highly successful. Classic rock is more to my liking. Some of it was just having fun with music and enjoying life, some of it had deeper meanings. You couldn't go wrong either way. This movie has an excellent soundtrack and features the music and names of great bands and musicians from the past (many of whom are still recording and performing in the present) like Yes, Pink Floyd, Rush, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, AC/DC and Blondie. It's a great film for parents to have their kids watch. It promotes individuality and determination, it encourages children to be themselves and remain secure in their identities. It may be a little farfetched for a bunch of kids in the same classroom to all have such incredible talents and learn in such a short time, and some people may find the messages a little old, but I really enjoyed this movie. I know a lot of "Be yourself" movies tend to have a theme going wear ugly people get a makeover and find acceptance. In this movie, the only transformation the characters go through is their massive boost of confidence. None of them got makeovers, they just cutlivated a personal style that they liked. And real world examples were given to support this. All in all, I thought this was a great family movie that has a great message with nothing superficial to it. I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Can't wait for School of Rock 2
Review: Great film, funny for kids and boomers. Very entertaining, fun and interesting. Only negative is use of off-color language, especially a scene when teaching the kids to use it. Otherwise five stars.
Rating:
Summary: WOW
Review: this is such a funny movie. i couldn't stop laughing. hopefully you have the same thing happen to you!!
Rating:
Summary: Give Me that Old "Black" Magic!
Review: When I first heard about this movie, I thought it would be a typical formula pic with the familiar story we have all seen before about the pretender who bucks the system and shows everyone the light (such as "Sister Act"). However, this movie, while it is in the same genre, ends up being different, inventive, and exciting to watch. I think the difference is Jack Black, who gives what is probably the performance of his career. Black is wonderful in this role and makes the whole movie worth while. Cudos also to Joan Cusak as an uptight principal and some incredibly talanted kids who, as I understand, actually perform all the music. I was pleasantly surprised and loved this movie. See it!
Rating:
Summary: Jack Black's first true classic
Review: Despite some of the various plot holes and implausibilities, this is Jack Black's shining moment (as well as other child actors) and crowning achievement. I enjoyed this film partly because Jack Black and the makers of the film seem to have an obvious appreciation for classic rock/hard rock/metal that was missing from recent Hollywood failures like Rock Star. References abound to Yes, Rush, Led Zeppelin, even Iron Maiden abound in this movie. Jack Black is hilarious as a burned out early 30 something rocker turned substitute teacher, and his usual mannerisms and inflections are used to humorous effect.
The film is inspiring, funny, even a bit "cute" in a family film sort of way. However these more "cutesy" themes are transcended with the wit of the dialogue and some of the more adult situations in the film. It isn't EXACTLY a kid's movie, but could be seen with probably younger preteens, in my eyes it appeals to adults more. Ironically, I was the age of the kids in the movie when I first got into hard rock and heavy metal! I wish I had gone to somewhere like the School of Rock!
Rating:
Summary: appealing and rockin
Review: Jack Black is better then ever in one of his most good performances as he teaches his students to rock, thats right, rock and the kids actually play their instruments, except for in this one bit but otherwise its a good and fun movie with a lot of rock example, Stevie Nicks and a lot of other good bands. the script was made for Black so he had no problem singing and jamming because he is in a band himself called Tenacious D. you'll find it charming and appealing.
Rating:
Summary: The best movie I've ever seen!
Review: (...) I grew up with the invention of rock and roll, and I've seen lots and lots of movies. I've never seen one that I enjoyed more than "School of Rock!" Before last night (10/20/03), I'd never even SEEN Jack Black (the star of the film). Now, he'd get my vote for the Best Actor Oscar! The movie got me clapping my hands, slapping my thighs, bouncing in my seat, singing along with the lyrics, and LAUGHING OUT LOUD! The second best part of the movie were the CHILDREN. Did they really sing and play all those instruments themSELVES? It sure LOOKED as though they did... If that movie had been a woman, I would've MARRIED IT! (...)
I LOVED "School of Rock!"
Rating:
Summary: jack black does it again!!
Review: This is gotta be one of the best movies i've seen in theaters in a long time. It seems like all the comedy movies that come out always look the same, but school of rock is gotta be the one that stands out from the ordinary. Only Jack Black could turn a bunch of preppy school kids into a rock band... I'm still tryin to figure out how it got a pg-13 rating but i guess it's a good thing because pg movies turn me off sometimes. Take ur kids..go by urself...just see the movie!!
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