Dirk V
Reviewer

      “School of Rock” rocks. Much can be said about this film, but it can all be summed up with the preceding sentence. With a great soundtrack and a superb performance by Jack Black, “School of Rock” is easily one of the best comedies of the year.
 
      In the film, Black plays Dewey Finn, a down-on-his-luck rocker who is in search of a band and in need of cash to pay the rent. In order to get money, Dewey pretends to be his substitute-teaching roommate and begins teaching at a prestigious elementary prep school. At first, he does not want to teach the kids and is annoyed by their desire to learn. When he finds out they have musical talent, he decides to teach them how to rock and enters them into a battle of the bands contest, all without the knowledge of the school or the parents. Along the way, Dewey teaches the kids life lessons and builds their confidence while learning more about himself as well.
 
      Black is great as the exuberant rocker Dewey. Black is always at his best playing high-energy, rock-obsessed characters, and this role is a natural for him. The character of Dewey is very similar to Black’s own persona with his band Tenacious D, albeit with less crudity and fewer satanic references, and his previous role of a rock-obsessed record salesman in “High Fidelity.” Even though the character does not stretch Black’s acting ability, he still manages to make the character realistic and likeable.
 
      Joan Cusack gives a decent performance as the uptight and neurotic head of the prep school, also not a stretch of her acting abilities, and the kids Black teaches are great in supporting roles. Black’s character, however, dominates the film and leaves little room for any other great performances.
 
      “School of Rock” has a soundtrack overflowing with quality rock songs. Songs from Led Zeppelin, AC/DC and Rush are prevalent in the film, and the songs written for the movie by Black and Mike White, who wrote the film and plays Dewey’s roommate, are also entertaining.
 
The battle of the bands performance is the best part of the movie. The song, “School of Rock”, is up-tempo and amusing. The choreography for the performance is incredible, and the kids are amazing when they are playing their instruments.
 
      “School of Rock” is a light-hearted and charming family film. Everyone should sit back, watch the movie, and let Jack Black rock your socks off.