An inspirational movie that I only wish was around during my childhood

Rating: Null/10 (9 October 2003)

For those who are still contemplating seeing the film, believe the hype. Believe every positive thing you hear about it. Support movies like this: clean movies where characters can act crazy and unconventional and still inspire children. A movie that steps away from reality and allows kids the chance to be kids. One of the cleanest movies to come out of Hollywood in years, way more intelligent than most children movies, and, most importantly, humor that stretches beyond the trap of fart jokes and standard bathroom humor. None of the kids are encouraged to forego their lifestyle in the name of rebellion, as is the case in many films done with this formula, just tweak it slightly and learn to feel passionately about something; learn to feel alive. Most importantly, learn to come to these feelings without their parent's guidance; giving the children a sense of pride in work they can call their own. The passion Jack Black shows herein is unbelievable. Every decision he makes, while sometimes selfish, is with the best intentions, and that type of honesty should be rewarded. Black possesses the ability to bring out the best in everyone he's around, from the tight nosed principal (Joan Cusack) to his ex-metal-head-turned-whipped-by-his-unsupportive-and-conservative-girlfriend best friend Ned (Mike White). If all of this description sounds like it's been done a hundred times before, it has. It is a formulaic movie, but one that redefines the formula. Expect some cheesiness, expect a simple plot, and expect to see one of the most fun films to come out in recent memory. This movie is, without a doubt, a classic genre movie, and one that should be seen by everyone. Rating: 35/40