You'd think that the plot of the fake substitute teacher has been used one too many times and that nothing good can come out of a movie revitalizing this theme, but in the case of Jack Black's "School of Rock," you'd be wrong.
Surprisingly enough, both the comedy and the music in this movie are -- in a word -- good. Actually, really good. As surprising as it may be, "School of Rock" is actually worth going to see. The plot isn't great, but the characters, music and very funny comedic ploys make "School of Rock" a pleasant surprise.
Dewey Finn (Black) is desperate after being kicked out of his own rock band, and his flatmate is threatening to kick him out of the apartment. In hopes of bettering his financial situation, he takes a job that was actually lined up for his flatmate in a prep school. The children that go to this school have been raised to be uptight and snotty, and even at only 10 years of age, they are realizations of the prep school's ideals. The Headmistress, Ms. Mullins (Joan Cusack), mirrors these children and runs a no-nonsense school.
But underneath the pretentiousness, these children have incredible musical talents -- in classical music, naturally -- which Finn discovers. In a stroke of genius, he builds a student rock band, teaching them to play rock music and eventually entering them into a Battle of the Bands.
The road to this competition and the obstacles that must be conquered, like the headmistress and a pack of angry parents, are hysterical. You will be holding your sides laughing, tears streaming down your face.
It is important to note at this point that I do not like Jack Black and usually don't think that his humor is funny at all. So if I say that he's funny, you know that there is something different about him in this movie. The reason for this is that his character actually develops in the course of the movie. The developments are pretty straightforward and expected, but they are developments, nonetheless.
The children that are in this movie are also actually believable. If these children are actually playing the instruments and singing what they are on screen, then the music world had better watch out. These kids are genuinely good!
The characters (and, of course, the music) in this movie are really what make it what it is. Black has a very simple role and pulls it off well. At first glance, he is a stubborn slacker who won't try anything new, even if it means giving up an opportunity to better his life. But as we get to know him better, we see that Finn is a passionate rock n' roller who just can't see himself doing anything else. Although this is slightly corny, it doesn't really matter. It's a corny movie. Fun, but inarguably corny.
Ms. Mullins is the quintessential prep school principal. She is cross and strict and makes kids run for their lives at the sight of her. Wait a minute, I think they used my former headmistress as a model! But as the movie progresses, she lightens up and accepts the new substitute teacher. Like I said?it's corny.
There is one group of people that are in no way unoriginal. These are the children. First, they will make your jaw drop when they pick up their classical instruments. Then they will make you laugh hysterically when they make their snide comments about everything. And then they astonish you again when they pick up the electric instruments and open their mouths to sing.
As you can guess from the title and from the basic plot, this is a movie about rock. You further must have guessed that there is no way of getting around the music in this movie. You were right in both cases. "School of Rock" revolves around the music. If you don't like rock music, then you should stay away from this movie because it will be an hour and a half of torture for you. If you do like rock, the movie is worth seeing for the music, regardless of your feelings on the movie itself. The performances by the school kids, by other bands and even by Jack Black make the movie worth seeing.
But this is a comedy, not "Mr. Holland's Opus." The plot doesn't matter -- it's all about the jokes. Black will make you laugh until your sides are sore. Cusack's pin-prickliness will make your already sore sides ache even further.
And then there are the children. These 10 year olds are more uptight and politically correct than some of the people at U.Va and that, my friends, is, you guessed it: funny.
Although Jack Black is obviously the star of this movie and arguably the best known member of the cast, the children really do steal the scenes. From the first moment when Black walks into his new classroom, these children have such a presence that it takes your breath away. Talent aside, they have character, charisma and incredible charm. The comedy is good, and the music is great, but the real stars of the show are those innocent looking 10 year olds who have American History in their brains but music in their hearts.
So for this "School," its definitely worth your while to be in attendance.
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