The kids are alright! Black Rules!

Rating: 8/10 (14 October 2003)

SCHOOL OF ROCK (2003) ***1/2 Jack Black, Joan Cusack, Mike White, Sarah Silverman, Joey Gaydos, Miranda Cosgrove, Kevin Alexander Clark, Rebecca Julia Brown, Robert Tsai, Maryam Hassan, Caitlin Hale, Aleisha Allen, Brian Falduto, Zachary Infante, James Hosey, Angelo Massagli, Cole Hawkins, Veronica Afflerbach, Jordan-Claire Green, Adam Pascal, Lucas Papaelis, Chris Stack, Lucas Babin, Frank Whaley (unbilled). Hilarious high-concept comedy tailor made for amiable slob Black (in a truly starmaking turn) as a slacker rock-star wannabe who finds himself in a financial bind with his good-hearted buddy White (who penned the funny script) and his harridan girlfriend (sharp-tongued, sexy Silverman) when the rent is overdue resulting in his masquerading as White's substitute teacher persona at a posh prep school where he finds his true calling by enlisting the musical prodigies there to create a new band to rock hard in an upcoming Battle of the Bands, with naturally the stout, selfish partier finding his heart in the process. Warm and smart with (thank GOD!) no pretentious kiddies in the pack (the kids acquit themselves while Black lets his ya-yas out) thanks largely to indie director fave Richard Linklater in allowing his passion for classic rock and roll music as well mark a fine blueprint for a successful comedy and a true showcase for the vastly hysterically funny Black to display his talents. A real winner.