The School of Rock (DVD, 2004, Widescreen)

School of Rock is a great movie with perfect Jack Black and an excellent supporting cast, most of them kids. Dewie Finn gets kicked out of his band and must find a way to pay the rent. When he intercepts a phone call for his substitute teacher roommate, Ned, Dewie decides to take the job. At first, he has no idea what to do, but when he discovers the kids in the class are great musicians, he decides to turn them into a band. Along the way, Dewie gets to know them all while also teaching them the history of rock. This is a great movie that surprisingly can be seen by the whole family. Jack Black has never been better, and the kids are amazing. If nothing else, the soundtrack is great with plenty of Led Zeppelin, The Clash, Black Sabbath and so much more.

Jack Black is perfectly cast as Dewie Finn, the down on his luck musician who takes a job as a substitute teacher. His eyebrows and facial expressions could not be done by anyone else. Joan Cusack is also very good as Principal Mullins, who tries to keep her school in order. Mike White and Sarah Silverman also star as Ned, Dewie's roommate, and his evil girlfriend. The real stars of this movie are the kids in Dewie's class. They are all incredible performers as well as pretty good actors. With all these things combined, School of Rock is a can't miss movie. For a great movie with hilarious Jack Black, check out School of Rock!

I can't say that I am a huge "Jack Black" fan however I do appreciate his voice. My daughter had been raving about this movie for like 3 weeks and kind of MADE us watch it. Well I was surprised at how much I liked it. Jack Black is hilarious Joan Cusack is her usual albeit "strange-funny" self. I would recommend this for the kids and anyone who enjoys "head banging" and appreciates the History of Rock. I thought it was fantastic how he got the kids to really appreciate the "soul" of music NO not SOULLLL music but the "heart" of Rock. He did abandon ALL STUDIES which doesn't say much. There were moments in this movie that I was having flashbacks of Sam Kennison but they were still hilarious. The kids were delightful and when you see it just think National Lampoon or at least don't expect anything heavy just enjoy it for what it is a really good funny movies to catch with your kids or with friends that can relive school days.

Respectfully Reviewed

These days, you've got to appreciate a family-friendly movie that doesn't pander to political correctness or carry out some formulaic, sugary-sweet theme. This one is for the elementary schoolers as well as the parents and hits the sweet spot for us 40-something, former hard rock lovers.
Jack Black gives his funniest performance since High Fidelity and it's not too far from his real-life persona in his own band Tenacious D. Joan Cusack is great as the wound-too-tight principal and the kids give some endearing performances as well. Of course, the viewer needs to suspend some reality but at least it's not an over-the-top, kids-conquer-all type endeavor.
Dig the soundtrack and the title song too!

Parents can enjoy the classic rock while kids revel in watching a dream come true as a substitute "teacher" substitutes rock n' roll band practice for reading, writing, and arithmetic. Jack Black does his usual thing; the child actors are entertaining without being annoyingly precocious; and the plot has a message that doesn't revolve around holding adults or authority figures up to ridicule. Instead, everyone has something to learn. And rock n' roll will never die.

This movie is fun for the whole family. Parents who were teens in the 80's will love the music and recognize Finn as one of their classmates. A rock star wanna-be who never grew out of the "long-hair rock period". We have 3 kids ages 8-15 and they all enjoyed it. Actually liked the music too, which surprised me a little. Where did all the cool rock bands go?