Too cute to cut up

Rating: 7/10 (28 May 2005)

"School of Rock" is one of those movies that could get cut to ribbons if taken too seriously. And it doesn't deserve that. It featured loud, rockin' music - new tunes as well as old, and humorous references to real rock performers both past and present. Jack Black did a fine job as the whacky, wanabee, elementary school teacher. A lovable loser. He took a class of up-tight rich kids and transformed them into the rock band of his dreams. He got them to listen to and respect him as a leader when his peers no longer had any use for him. Ya gotta give the movie a little time to grow on ya. It was painful at first to get into it. Jack Black can be annoying and rub you the wrong way. I kept thinking that Jim Carrey would be much funnier and believable in the same role. But, after getting over the initial boredom and impatience with the lame dialogue, you find yourself in love the 10 year old kids who are so cute and lovable. And the music will get you up on your feet to play a little air guitar along with Jack. "Hey, I can do that too", you'll shout, since everybody at one time wanted to be a rock star.
And if that fat kid in the class looks familiar. He is. That's "Bobby Baccala's" son. And if you don't know who "Bobby Baccala" is......you're from another planet and will definitely love "School of Rock".
So let the kids and the music put you into a rockin' mood and don't take it all too seriously. You'll have a rockin' 'n rollin' good time.