Rating: 
Summary: Entertaining enough
Review: This was actually a pretty entertaining flick and had some funny moments. My teenage son and his friends really like this movie, and after watching it with him I can see why. The humor is pretty good and the talent was well picked.
The story itself is one of those "it could never happen" types, but for pure entertainment value, it was worth watching. Unless you're a teen, it's probably not one to see more than once, but it's worth checking out and is one of those clean family movies that everyone can enjoy.
However if you find Jack Black obnoxious and unrelenting, you might want to pass as he is pretty much filling the screen for almost the entire movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Jack Black: over the top, yet huggable?
Review: Liking this movie depends on how you feel about the character known as Jack Black.
If you really can't stand him, you still might like this film.
If you kinda like him, you'lll really enjoy this film.
If you LOVE Jack Black...this could possibly be your "Citizen Kane."The film is a Jack Black film for the masses...it celebrates his eccentricities yet somehow makes him lovable. It's a fairly standard "beloved teacher" film...the kind with the outsider teacher whose unorthodox methods are initially met with disdain by the students, their parents and school administrators.
In the end, as always, the teacher wins out. The tweak here is that Mr. Black is not a real teacher, and his methods involve "rocking out." And the word "rock" must be pronounced "RAWK". In standard "teacher film" mode, he brings out the best in his students, whether it be in a "face-melting" guitar solo, or genius-level computer-designed light shows. Richard Linklater displays a gentle touch he's never displayed before, but still manages to be a bit subversive and snarky. You're carried along so effortlessly that when the time comes to "name the band", it's perfectly obvious but you honestly never considered it until that moment. Good movies entertain you even when you "know where they're going." This movie is telegraphed by the opening credits, yet you're still surprised from time to time. Jack Black rules the show, and he does 'act' here. Yes, his manic rock-star flailings are what you'd expect, but the smaller scenes with the kids or with Joan Cusack somehow DON'T feel like they're from a completely different movie (as usually is the case). The supporting cast is fine as well. Mike White, his beleaguered roommate (and the film's author) and Sarah Silverman (a delicious harpy) are note perfect. Joan Cusack gives her usual inimitable performance...I think what she's doing is taking the classic wacky "Joan Cusack" character, and expanding in certain directions to fit each film she's in. She's never boring. The children are amazing. They really play, and play really well. They're funnier than all get out. It's easy to root for them.
My only quibble is that the bass player gets minimal screen time, but maybe that's part of the joke.
The bass player is ALWAYS overlooked in rock bands, aren't they? If the singer of the rival band sounds familiar, he's the original 'Roger' from the musical "Rent", Adam Pascal. You can see all the disparate elements coming together by the end of the movie...like I said, "telegraphed"...but it's a joy to watch. This is a great rock movie AND a great family movie.
Name another one that fits both categories.
Tough, huh?
Rating: 
Summary: The Worst of the Worst
Review: It's scary that anyone could give this movie a positive review unless you are under the age of eight. Jack Black is scary & probably the least talented actor of all times. Don't waste your money or time renting this DVD.
Rating:
Summary: Clever, lightweight fun for rock heads
Review: Jack Black is the new Chris Farley/John Candy/John Belushi. He's the fish out of water trapped in a world where all fat comics are out of control, slightly disturbed (or disturbing) funnymen who pulverize their surroundings while needling the audience with a knowing half-smile. So it goes with "School Of Rock," a vehicle tailor made for this kind of physical comedy. Since Black, as a beautiful loser manchild, is perfectly suited for this kind of format, it stands to reason that "School Of Rock" is not as bad as it would be without someone as manic for the lead would have made it. I do have a slight problem with the kids, as they are as unhip a bunch as could be gathered together as characters. Let's face it, for the most part I hated my parents' music by the time I was in High School. So to insist that the students would suddenly find themselves grooving to the likes of Yes or Hendrix is little more than a boomer parent's fantasy of what kids would be suckered into if they'd only hear some REAL classic rock music. This is not to say the child actors here aren't lovable, in fact they help to balance Black in some of his more grating moments. Joan Cusak is also, as usual, delightful. The scene where she gets sweet talked into the field trip by Black while listening to Stevie Nicks is a hoot. Screenwriter White has the kind of understanding for this material that Chris Columbus and Cameron Crowe bring to a lot of their films. While I can't give this the kind of total Rock and Roll endorsement that I would give to the likes of "Almost Famous," "Saturday Night Fever" or "Rock and Roll High School," it did make "School Of Rock" a pleasantly laughable afternoon's comedy viewing. PS. The extra scene of Black begging Led Zepplin is worth the price of the DVD.
Rating: 
Summary: Black tries too hard, fails
Review: I was eager to rent this movie, because I think Jack Black is a really talented guy. Unfortunately, I was really disappointed by his performance in this film. Have you ever been around someone who tries to be funny and, when he realizes folks ain't laughing, he laughs all the harder himself, jostling you with his elbow, almost as if to intimidate you into laughing? That's Jack Black in this movie. He gets off on the wrong foot and never seems to get on the right one. The character of Dewey is supposed to represent some kind of anti-hero, but he comes off as a poor borderline-homeless guy burned out from drugs and never growing beyond his glory days of youth. And since he's so interested in turning on the kids to rock (which is understandable, because these kids have apparently never been exposed to it!), he could have at least moved beyond the 70s. I LOVE rock music from ALL periods, and Dewey slighted these kids by teaching them that music progressed to the day of AC/DC (a band I love, by the way) and then came to a screeching halt. How ironic... Dewey would be the first one to protest if someone pointed out to him - truthfully - "Dude, you've become your parents." I would have had more sympathy for the Jack Black character if he'd acknowledged to these kids the existence of great rock & roll music produced SINCE the 70s by artists such as U2, David Bowie, The Clash, Radiohead, Oasis, Bob Marley, Alanis Morsette, REM, Ultravox, Midnight Oil, Nick Cave, Siouxie and the Banshees, XTC, Bad Brains, The Smiths, Nirvana, Talking Heads, Pretenders, Roxy Music, X, Metallica, Depeche Mode, Tom Petty, Pearl Jam, Blondie, Elvis Costello, Judas Priest, Ozzy Osbourne, the Indigo Girls and this is just the tip of the iceberg. Did you ever see the Simpsons episode where the guy tells Mr. Burns, "You're living in the past, man! Contemporize!" Some good advice for Dewey. The kids were pretty likeable but couldn't compensate for the film's shortcomings. If you're a huge fan of Black's and believe that nothing good has come out of the music world since 1979 (and there's nothing wrong with that), then you'll probably enjoy this movie. Really, it's for middle-aged adults, not kids.
Rating:
Summary: Great Rock with lots of Potential
Review: I wonder if they could redo this movie and take advantage of the opportunity to make it funnier. After just loving the humor of Jack Black in Shallow Hal I was dissappointed in this DVD.
The potential lies in the concept of teaching students about rock and roll, yes Jack Black as an improptu substitute teacher without a clue is really a kick. There are so many 'duh.....' lines at the beginning that are funny. Yet, there was way to little humor for this comedy lover. I have a friend who sometimes will talk with others while playing his guitar, this is funny, cute, yet it got old. Seeing the talented young people was also very fun, interesting. The good voices, drumming, strumming and when they bring it all together was enjoyable. I would not say it is really a family movie, some may want to prescreen for the kiddos, yet there is definately a lot of potential. Maybe Jack Black can do a sequel and really bring out his character
Rating: 
Summary: A Crowd Pleaser
Review: I saw this movie with three other people. I figured I would be the only one who would like it, since I think Jack Black is underrated musically and on the big screen. However, all four of us loved this movie. Black really brings a lot to the table in this film. He's got the physical comedy that is apparent when he is jamming with his professional band. He's got the ability to carry a scene as an actor, as the audience can't take its eyes off him. And his musical prowess is revealed to anyone who hadn't already heard his tunes from Tenacious D. The story holds up well, and while it's sometimes a little hokey it does the job of allowing Black to bring tons of laughs. I highly recommend this comedy.
Rating:
Summary: Mike White's perfect Jack Black Script
Review: "School of Rock" was written by the increasingly prolific screenwriter and actor Mike White. Here, White shows that such eye-openingly good works like "The Good Girl" (with Jennifer Aniston) and the critically acclaimed "Chuck and Buck" were no flukes. For the first time since "High Fidelity," Black is given material that suits him. Credit White for writing and building a movie around Black's talents. And if you think that sounds easy, go talk to makers of "Shallow Hal" and other Black miscastings. From an acting perspective, there's Black above all others. White modestly stays in the background. His girlfriend Patty (Sarah Silverman) is pretty much a one-note shrew (that's the role written for her). Joan Cusack is great when she appears - her little moment gathering herself alone in a hallway in face of an onslaught of parents is the movie's one bit of dramatic acting. The kids are really superb. I assume that's really them playing those instruments. There's none of the tricky camera work when musical fakery is involved (shots of the head, shots of the hand). You get full body shots - guitarist Zach (Joey Gaydos Jr.) expertly working the chords, keyboardist Lawrence (Robert Tsai) dexterously working up and down the scales. As far as Black is concerned, I don't think this is acting at all. This role appears to be him to a 'T'. Credit Mike White for envisioning a really cute, smart movie around that thought.
Rating:
Summary: Just a fun movie that we enjoyed as a family
Review: We enjoyed watching this as a family. The kids enjoyed watching the kids stepping out of the roles of being just kids and having a lot of fun. Jack Black is who he is and we find that pretty funny, but we can see how others might not. And I think Joan Cusack makes everything she is in even better. The kids in the class Jack Black is subbing for are all charming and do a fine job being transformed from a bunch of preppy uniforms into a rock band (of sorts). Of course the premise is implausible and every objection you can raise about the reality of this film is probably true. But I would reply that you might benefit from lightening up and just having fun. I know we did. We laughed and we enjoyed saying, "Yeah, RIGHT!" at the more ridiculous plot points. This isn't supposed to be a serious movie. It was just a fun time and you will likely enjoy it if you can get in the same mindset.
Rating:
Summary: A Megadose of Jack Black
Review: If you love Jack Black, you'll love this movie. Otherwise, probably not so much, as it relies heavily on large doses of Black in the starring role as a grimacing, hyperkinetic ruffian bent on turning a bunch of fifth graders into punkish rockers. Joan Cusack lends just the right amount of support as the uptight principal of the stuffy private school where Black's subversive activities take place. It's all great fun in a PG sort of way, but you really have to work hard at suspending disbelief most of the time. Thumbs up, but not WAY up.
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