The School Of Rock Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
Take Notes.
Mr. Black. Accept no substitute. Come on feel the noize.
He just landed the gig of his life: 5th grade.
We don't need no education.
We shall teach Rock & Roll to the world!
Down and out rock star Dewey Finn (Black) gets fired from his band, and he faces a mountain of debts and depression. He takes a job as a 4th grade substitute teacher at an uptight private school where his attitude and hijinx have a powerful effect on his students. He also meets Zack, a 10-year-old guitar prodigy, who could help Dewey win a "battle of the bands" competition, which would solve his financial problems and put him back in the spotlight.
| Jack Black | Dewey Finn |
| Adam Pascal | Theo |
| Lucas Papaelias | Neil |
| Chris Stack | Doug |
| Sarah Silverman | Patty Di Marco |
| Mike White | Ned Schneebly |
| Lucas Babin | Spider |
| Joan Cusack | Rosalie Mullins |
| Jordan-Claire Green | Michelle |
| Veronica Afflerbach | Eleni |
| Miranda Cosgrove | Summer Hathaway |
| Joey Gaydos Jr. | Zack Mooneyham |
| Robert Tsai | Lawrence |
| Angelo Massagli | Frankie |
| Kevin Alexander Clark | Freddy Jones |
| Richard Linklater |
7.30 out of 10 (31402 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Best Jack Black movie
posted on 02 Aug 2009This is by far the best movie Jack Black has ever made. He carries the movie with awesome support from the children and Joan Cussack. There was not anytime during the movie where I was not laughing. This movie was created around Jack Black and it showed. It also was awesome to see the kids playing the music themselves. To bad the academy does not usually give Oscars to leads in comedies, because Mr. Black deserves one for this performance. From start to finish, Jack Black's love for music is seen through Dewy, and this movie is a must for any true fan of rock and roll.
Not only is the story line and acting great, the soundtrack is probably one of the best I have ever heard. Both of these are a must see and hear.
LET US ROCK
posted on 19 Jul 2009Black has long deserved top billing, and he takes advantage of his opportunity. This is a cliched tale, given fresh injection and an edge by Linklater and Black. The kids don't get on your nerves (too much), and there's a rockin' soundtrack. Black is an undoubted star, but you feel/hope he won't totally sell himself out. A genuine film for 6 year olds to 66 year olds, that doesn't belittle the young or annoy the olduns. Plus it's funny. The only concern is the obvious sequel, that will fail to match the original. I now await Linklater's rumoured follow-up to "Before Sunrise".
Virginia Beach
posted on 13 Jul 2009The Death of RockSpoilers herein.Yet another funny man with a limited vocabulary searching for that one perfect vehicle,
by trying a formula. Its getting pretty tiresome.Let's see: Jack was terrific in `High Fidelity,' an original notion cleverly pulled off. He is
also in a rock band. So, (we can see the creative team around Rudin saying) let's just let
him be funny doing his rock faces, in a `Mighty Ducks' deal.And why should I object to that? Because, friends, I am sick of films that preach one
thing and themselves contradict that thing. Usually these are movies about being
individual and not a copy, but everything about the movie is cookiecutter. In this case,
we are talking about a culture of energy that is de-energized..All movies are about other movies, never life. Music is similarly always about other music
as well, but has the advantage that for us to connect it to life, we have to invent a
cultural container. Rock isn't music at all, but the container we made up to contain some
music made by folks we think fit the template. Rock music is what rock stars do, not the
other way around.The vehicle here is that large formula that has an unlikely bunch (often kids) excelling in
a performance. Sometimes it is a sporting performance, otherwise - as here - it is a
stage performance. Usually there is an unlikely mentor. Ho hum, push those buttons,
connect the dots and we get ersatz rock and just the kind of movie which rock is against.`Spinal Tap' was an ode to rock disguised as a satire, and funny as all getout. This is a
travesty of rock disguised as an ode, and not a funny bit in the whole thing if you take
out Cusak.Ted's Evaluation -- 1 of 3: You can find something better to do with this part of your life.
Better than Gandhi...
posted on 07 Jul 2009...not! Nearly 40% of voters give this thing a 10/10, putting this movie among the 150 best movies of all time. I get suspicious when looking at this and some other movies' ratings forming a consistent curve which is broken by an incongruous multiplicity of 10s. This is a feel-good movie whose "loser earns redemption" theme is the oldest whore in the house. It handles itself decently, though, and rates a respectable inflation-adjusted 6.2.Nowadays, there's some concern with lying in society, be it Enron, White House interns or WMD. Hollywood merits special consideration, because Hollywood is make-believe. The 10-year-old drummer is played by a 15-year-old actor and the 10-year-old guitarist with 3 years' experience is played by a 12-year-old actor with 9 years' experience, and the kids in the class are not a fortuitous assemblage of kids in some random class, but are selected by Hollywood to show what heartfelt rebellious pep-talking can do to actualize young children. Jack Black's pep talks are a little too frantic and wouldn't dupe most sub-10-year-olds I know. However, to appreciate the good side of this enjoyable story, one must accept these lies as artistic licence. I believe most movie-goers embed this "caveat emptor" into their appreciation of movies and now sometimes even into their ratings.
I didn't understand this film
posted on 25 Jun 2009Comedy in which lazy, benefit dependent waster is finally brought to book on backrent and illegally assumes his best-friend's position as a substitute teacher as he has no employment prospects of his own and ends up teaching rock music appreciation to privileged ten year olds as a perverse form of wish-fulfillment in order that he can use them to enter a music competition which he hopes will pave his way to fame and fortune although experience and common-sense suggests the dimateric opposite will occur.What's wrong with this picture? Perhaps the idea that you can teach the spirit of civic and moral rebellion to a group of middle-class private school children who are culturally and intellectually incapable of placing the iconoclastic ethos and social commentary invested in the music into context. The most offensive of these kids, Zack,understandably feels angry with a life of comfort, top dollar education and the certainty of social and economic advantage in the future and so turns to punk - a movement born out of social deprivation, counter-cultural disillusion and the British working class as a focus for his musical muse. Black meanwhile, strutting around the classroom like a one man comic book convention - extols a curriculum of half-bakery, cod-philosophy and rock truisms without ever encouraging the children to find their own musical and spiritual direction. In a typical exchange he tells the kids that rock is about 'giving it to the man' and 'venting your frustrations' but in reality he is pursuing an agenda of wealth and worldwide fame. We realize what he's REALLY saying during a conversation with a awkward, keyboard playing child of oriental origin in which Black notes that 'if you're in a great rock band everyone will want to party with you'. In other words, clearly lacking any other social advantage (looks, a focused work ethic, intelligence) Black only real interest is in making himself popular - the very anthithesis of what Rock is about. Further to this we're forced to endure the spectre of black sexualising younger girls as groupies and tip-toeing dangerously close to the line as he attempts to compensate for his lack of success with women and the inevitable sexual frustration that follows. The whole sorry affair climaxing in an sub-mini pops concert in which Black's training produces songs on the subject on school work and exam results, and they let this man teach music afterwards? I'd lock the b*stard up.Honestly, what is this film for?
Jack BLACK is Angus Young!!
posted on 23 Jun 2009Jack Black is actually like this in real life from what I am told. He loves to rock and is no less talented than John Belushi or Chris Farley. He has the song writing skills of Angus Young with some Tommy Iommi mixed in. He is the reason we all like to ROCK. I am more into METAL and ROCK now that I have seen JACK BLACK perform with the kids in the SCHOOL OF ROCK!! I loved it at the end when the ending was good. I loved the way the bass player played. What about summer? She's going to be a goddess when she's a bit older. I thought that NED was really good as well as the GEEK who was going out with that girl from PERFECT MIND and THE ROCKETEER...Jennifer Connaly is her name I believe. Man, she was a BIT*H!! I would never let my woman TALK TO ME that way!!!
Jack Black Has Strong Shoulders.
posted on 21 Jun 2009I like Jack Black, and when I saw the trailer for School of Rock, Ithought it would be pretty successful as a release. How could youlose? Jack Black coaches a bunch of kids on how to rock. What aformula. Weighed against the other "losers get out and rock"movies I've seen, like The Commitments, Rock Star, CottonCandy, Still Crazy, and Bandwagon, I'd say this one is at the lowend of the scale. I expected so much more, and it seemed the writing was prettyloose. For a comedy, I felt the story could have been funnier. I washanging on the edge of my seat waiting for the next laugh thateither didn't come, or I found myself forcing one out just because Iwas ready to. It seems that all too often, studios throw some bankable actorstogether, and leave them to struggle with weak underdevelopedscripts based on some juicy high concept storyline that could havebeen better. Of course the ending was right in front of your face since thebeginning, I can excuse that. But when you have people in a roomtalking, they better have some funny stuff to talk about. I saw a lot ofwasted opportunities for good comedy, and saw many sceneslimp by on weak gags, and on the hope that the great Jack Blackwould be outrageous enough to carry the movie.
This "School" Rocks...
posted on 19 Jun 2009It was just a matter of time until a film like this came along. A slacker decides to transform a bunch of repressed children into well-educated young adults. Wait a minute, what am I saying? Films like this have come along many times before--"The Dead Poets Society," "Mr. Holland's Opus," "Hardball," and "The Emperor's Club," and that's only naming a few titles of many.But here's a movie so different from the rest it deserves some type of attention. Gone are the clean morals of, say, "Mr. Holland's Opus"--here come lines like, "Stick it to the man!" with a trailer that advertises, "...a man who taught them to break the rules." These rules, by the way, are applied and kept in order by a private elementary school, where Dewey Finn (Jack Black) is posing as a teacher in order to get some cash to put together his own rock band."'The Man' is everywhere," he preaches to a small group of children. "You've gotta stick it to him." So they stick it to "The Man" by forming a rock band during school hours and entering into the Battle of the Bands--in hope that they'll win the jackpot reward for first place.I need to start at the beginning.Dewey Finn is a slacker loser who plays guitar like a pro--the only problem is that he gets stoned when he and his band are performing and embarrasses his fellow players. After they kick him out prior to preparing for the upcoming Battle of the Bands, Dewey decides to form together his own band by getting some money. But how?Dewey's roommate Ned Schneebly (Mike White, who also wrote the film and a song in it) is a substitute teacher ("Not a temp!"), and so when the phone rings and the call is for Ned, Dewey decides to pose as his best friend in hopes of getting some quick cash. He soon finds himself at "the best school in the state," teaching a class of strange kids and trying to avoid getting found out by the principal (Joan Cusack). A school dropout himself, Dewey only knows one thing: Music. So he teaches music to the kids after finding out they can play various instruments--piano, guitar, drums, and even the cello (which he decides to leave out of the forming band).Dewey decides to enter his "School of Rock" into the Battle of the Bands, much to the laughter of other competing bands. But he has true faith in his pack of school kids. That's part of what makes the film so inspirational and different from the other junk adorning the market right now--this seems real, and so does the affection, and Jack Black turns Dewey Finn into a likable character--the opposite of what someone like Adam Sandler might have done with the kids. (I can see him in the role, but the film would undoubtedly have been a bit less of a serious comedy--it would've turned into a loud, noisy, sporadically amusing comedy.)The movie uses a lot of old cliches, but they all come off as--at the very least--acceptable, given the material. This is a refreshingly refreshing comedy, the type of film that makes you feel good after leaving the theater--which is a very rare thing these days. The final Battle of the Bands is both realistic and uplifting. Even the end credits are fun to sit through.The film completely relies upon Jack Black as its carrier, and lucky enough for the film he is a very good lead. This is the film lover's version of a Rob Schneider or Chris Farley. Black has been around for a long time, always playing good co-star roles, and in "High Fidelity" he proved that he was more in-tune with the present times than any other recent "SNL" comedian. Not that Adam Sandler is bad given the right material, but how many times do we have to put up with re-makes of "Happy Gilmore"?Black is arguably one of the funniest fat comedians since John Candy, when given the appropriate material. He's the type of comedian who could become quite annoying very quickly, but with the right material and director focusing behind the camera he turns out to be funnier than most guys out there. Black's ability to pick increasingly good scripts is something John Candy never seemed to be able to master; although I think it was basically because Hollywood didn't want Candy to get good scripts.Once and a long time there comes the surprise hit wonder. Nobody ever thought that "School of Rock," a movie starring Jack Black as a slob rock guitarist, would ever amount to anything. But it turned out to be one of the most critically-praised films of the year, and after seeing it for myself, I have to agree that this is a well-made film that has certainly been done before, but rarely this good, and even rarer is the formula ever this likable.4/5 stars.- John Ulmer
Darn good.
posted on 13 Jun 2009Having been kicked out of his band, and hounded by his buddie's girlfriend for rent money, Dewey Finn is strapped for cash. Doing what everybody would do, he passes himself off as Ned in order to get some moolah. Noticing the kids in music class,he takes advantage of them so they can win the battle of the bands and $ 20,000.What an enjoyable comedy. Director Richard Linklater and Mike White (he plays Ned) has fashioned an amiable and good-hearted movie that features plenty of well earned laughs that are not always cheap. Much of the credit is due to Jack Black, who gives a wild and inspired performance.Rating:*** (out of ****)
The School of Rock doth ROCK!!!
posted on 03 Jun 2009I'm no wordsmith, so I'll just say this, Oh My Ged, this movie rocks out the yin-yang!!! Not only is it the funniest movie I've seen in years, but it made feel so good at the end I was applauding with the rest of the audience! And if anything, Black's Gospel of Rock'N'Roll goes to show, the modern music scene needs to get over it's self-centered-boring-stale state and rediscover the majesty that is ROCK'N'ROLL!!!! YEAH, BABY!!!!! AWESOME, MOVIE, SIMPLY AWESOME!!
Comments for School of Rock (2003)
posted on 22 May 2009I found this film hilarious. Jack Black was fantasticaly funny and I couldn't stop laughing. Everyone in this film plays and adapts to their part perfectly. Built on a firm storyline, and topped up with comedy this film was definately a big hit for my family and I. I have always found Jack Black amusing but I think this part was his best. He played Dewey Finn's character perfectly. His facial expressions and movements were so funny. The storyline was fantastic, comical, and not in the least bit vague. You were given a very clear idea of what was going on. The story itself was amusing. I think although the was probably aimed at teenagers,this production would appeal to people of all ages.All the children in the film were so individual and they all acted superbley. I would defenately gives this film thumbs up!! SIDE SPLITTING!!!
Anyone who dislikes this movie has no heart.
posted on 22 May 2009Seeing this movie was the absolute highlight of my MONTH! Words cannot capture my enthusiasm for this film-- it horrified me to see that anyone had given it less than a ten! It's just the perfect feel-good movie for . . . . anyone. The characters, the story, EVERYTHING. And did I mention how incredibly funny I found it? I was literally screaming laughter! Too much! I plan on purchasing the DVD the DAY it comes out!!!
very amusing
posted on 14 May 2009This is a very cool and amusing movie about a rock musician who fakes a job as a substitute teacher, and instead of the normal curriculum, teaches the private school kids how to make a rock band, and also the philosophy behind it. The teacher is the comedian Jack Black (from Tenacious D), who exhibits plenty of funny facial expressions and movements. If you grew up with other children who were brought up playing classical, then the contrasts between the stereotypical rich private school kids and their rock music fanatic teacher are especially amusing to see. Being into rock music and concerts, for me, this light-hearted flick was well worth watching. 3 out of 5 stars.
Jack Black is a Golden God
posted on 08 May 2009Get ready for one of the most biased reviews you'll read today. Because I gotta be honest with you: I love Jack Black. You hear me Jack? I love you. Jack Black is not only one of the most talented entertainers in the world today, but he seems to be one of tomorrow's finest comedic acting stars. He carries with him a seemingly inexhaustible supply of physical comedy mixed with precision comic timing. His style, while one dimensional and unchanged since High Fidelity and even The Cable Guy (that's right, even while playing a very minor character, he still commanded a hilarious screen presence) will never get old, even if he plays essentially the same character in every film.School of Rock was a field day for Black. It's obvious in every frame that he had as much fun shooting this movie as we did watching it. Director Richard Linklater (responsible for the classic Dazed and Confused and the enigmatic Waking Life) probably had one of the easiest tasks in the world directing Jack Black as a rock-obsessed Dewey Finn who spends the whole movie rocking out and then rocking out some more. Dewey is kicked out of his band and needs money for the rent. Why not pose as his roommate who got a request to do some substitute teaching? And while he's there sitting out of his element in a room full of schoolchildren, why not train them to rock out with him? Ridiculous, right? Correct!And I wouldn't have it any other way. This movie plays out like a long episode of the short lived HBO series, Tenacious D. With no rhyme or reason, Dewey invades these kids' sterile worlds and lights the fever of rock and roll within them. And when he gets them to help him win the battle of the bands, he will be able to pay the rent and stick it to his old band all in one fell swoop. From a structural point of view, this movie is nothing to get excited about. It has the classic `oh no, the whole plan is gonna fall apart' moments, followed by the happy and rockin' conclusion. Nothing in the plot itself suggests anything of originality. But when you consider that the topic is rock (which would be my second major bias), and the teacher is rock legend Jack Black lecturing our faces off on the ways of rock, it makes for nothing but a good time.And that's exactly what School of Rock is. It's a classic feel good movie that makes for a great time at the theatre. Don't get me wrong: if you happen to hate Jack Black, you're probably not going to enjoy this movie. Because I can't stress this enough: it is chock full of him. Not just the fact that he's the lead actor, but every scene reeks of classic JB form, complete with all the usual flourishes that his performances pack. He takes a standard theme-the struggle to succeed in a mission-and makes it a work of art. And I say 'he' as if he were the writer, director, and producer. Well at times it felt as if there couldn't have possibly been anybody else involved in the making of this movie except JB himself and a dozen goofy kids. And if that doesn't get you excited to see School of Rock, then you better go back to listening to your Admiral Levigne album.
It's time to rock!
posted on 04 May 2009This was a very good movie. Obviously any movie with Jack Black in it, shouldn't be taken too serious, and this movie is no exception. However, it is an excellent movie if you love rock. The music is outstanding, the kids in the band are so talented. This movie made me feel like i missed out big time in school, by not having a teacher like Dewey (jack black). I recomend this very fun movie. Take your kids, take your special someone, take a stranger off the street. Just go ROCK!!!!
Jumpin' Jack Black, It's a Gas, Gas, Gas
posted on 02 May 2009Greetings again from the darkness. With so few good comedies these days, it was pure joy to laugh out loud a few times during this Jack Black showcase. Is he over the top? Absolutely. Is his humor and delivery similar to the great John Belushi? Yes, down to the arching eyebrows. And I say SO WHAT? Jack Black is hilarious in this movie and director Richard Linklater (the underappreciated gem "Dazed and Confused") uses his spot-on observations of Rock music and school days to deliver a wonderful film going experience. Writer Mike White ("The Good Girl") also plays Black's wimpy friend and former bandmate. Although his acting is fine, it is White's writing that will make him rich in Hollywood. The kids in the band are wonderfully cast and appear to be very talented musically as well. Special recognition to Joan Cusack, who just nails the role of the uptight private school principal who is just itching to be unleashed. I would have enjoyed a bit more of the Rock History tossed in for the sake of today's youngsters, but the tributes to Pete Townsend, Jimi Hendrix, Zeppelin and the Ramones are much appreciated. Look for Nikki Katt in a brief role, but mostly just sit back and enjoy a pure comedy that truly ROCKS!!
Possible spoilers included - be warned
posted on 02 May 2009Maybe it's because I used to be a musician, but a plot based on a bunch of 10-year-olds becoming a better rock band than the seasoned vets is just too ridiculous. Their wealthy status-seeking parent's ultimate embrace of their kids' squandered semester studying "Immigrant Song" rather than multiplication tables is just too ridiculous. Black's character Dewey Finn remaining unchallenged for several weeks in his purloined identity as his substitute teacher roommate Ned Schneebly is just too ridiculous. I realize a certain suspension of disbelief is often necessary to make a movie work; but if that's the case, why not just have him flash lightning bolts from his eyeballs? It's about as believable. Anyone familiar with Black's work in Tenacious D (where their tour bus popping oat Satan's asscrack is assumed to be high hilarity) knows this guy's managed to escalate a third-place performance in a local air-guitar contest into an actual movie career. And I'm so tired of major corporations (Paramount) promoting the idea that "sticking it to the man" is better than actually studying in school. Anybody who's witnessed the internecine Hollywood movie culture knows a bigger group of kiss-asses you'll never find ... "School of Rock" is a phony film from beginning to end, along the lines of "Home Alone" or anything in the past decade starring Eddie Murphy.
Defiance of authority is always good for a few laughs...
posted on 30 Apr 2009A rock music-loving slacker impersonates a substitute teacher at a rigid prep school--initially just for the $650 a week but, upon learning that his 10-year-old students have musical talent, he ends up teaching the class the history of rock 'n roll and puts them to work in a smokin' hot band. Director Richard Linklater goes commercial (and cookie-cutter) in this friendly-enough family film, yet it's one which offers few surprises, beginning with a supporting cast of young actors who are over-trained in precociousness. The concluding events are right off an assembly-line (is there some movie rule which states an incredible scam can't be pulled off without some concocted interference?). In the lead, Jack Black brings outré enthusiasm and belligerent chutzpah to the mix...and the picture would be nothing without him. **1/2 from ****
Forgettable but enjoyable
posted on 16 Aug 2009This film is about a failed rock wannabe crashing in to become a substitute teacher in a prestigious school.The film is basically only about Jack Black and the kids, so it is very important that they deliver. Indeed, Jack Black tries his best in playing the musical instruments, pull funny faces and learns a to about rock music to impress the viewers. There are many times that the film feels like a one man show. Fortunatelym the kids also does well in the film. They are very impressive and convincing in playing the instruments.The plot is unreal but funny. Apart from being entertaining, it also touches on how people can achieve their potential when given the chance to and with proper encouragement. I am particularly impressed by the fact that the film lifts the self esteem of an obese African young girl by a string of encouraging remarks.This film is brain off entertainment, forgettable but enjoyable.