Ok, here's the thing...

Rating: Null/10 (24 May 2004)

... you really have to be willing to take this movie on its own terms: as a "pure" vehicle for the over-the-top antics of Jack Black. This guy is a solar system unto himself, really.
Is it believable? No way, not even close. But--and this is its point--who cares?
In its purest terms, then, this movie should be thought of as a scenario where some whacky drunken, crazy rock-and-roller who has and probably will never grow up somehow gets a bizarre opportunity to transfer his wild, out-of-control enthusiasm for his muse to transfer to the kids in a stuck-up elitist boarding school. Likely to happen? Uh-uh. The story is more like the playing out of two guys drinking on a Friday night saying, "Hey, what if...?" or "Wouldn't it be funny if...?" Then elevator-pitching the story to some half-baked Hollywood types the next Monday who think it's the greatest thing since sliced bread.
So, given the bizarre underpinnings and lack of believability of the scenario, we still have to consider this film on its own merits. Jack Black is funny, wild, weird, even, I'd argue, strangely satanic. Maybe I'm stretching, but don't ya think? Anyway, he is the only character that is truly believable in the movie, though he is, like the "new Chris Farley," completely over the top. I mean, he is SO enthusiastic and SO wild and SO out of control on-screen sometimes you think -- where did this guy come from? His facial expressions are priceless - reminds me of John Belushi. Let's hope he doesn't end up like Belushi and Farley.
The kids are believable within the confines of the relative unbelievability of the scenario itself. They seem strangely forlorn about being given a free educational ride by their teacher though. I don't get it--kids want an education? Ack!
I would take this movie very lightly -- it's just fun and funny and not at all serious nor is it supposed to be. Joan Cusack is very, very good as the school principal and I love it when she cuts loose--ever since "Working Girl" she has been one of the most underutilized and unrecognized character actresses of her time. Still, Jack Black is the center of the hurricane--and the hurricane itself. I think his huge persona might be "pricing" him (in a non-literal sense) out of the business. How can the guy even fit on the screen with anyone else, his persona and charisma is so huge. Well, I guess he makes it work with "Shallow Hal" and when he has to play opposite someone, but I tell you it's tough because he's the center of attention.