Rockn' Roll Ain't Noise Pollution **** out of 4

Rating: 10/10 (22 July 2004)

School Of Rock is the best comedy Jack Black has done so far. Why I waited until DVD when I could have rocked out to Dolby Digital is something I will not forgive myself for.
Black plays Dewey Finn, a "rock star" who's only success in the music biz would probably the one hit wonders featured on MTV. The members of the band have had enough of his screw ups (especially when he air dives into the audience only to crash on to the floor) and sends him to the unemployment line.
However, Dewey was self employed so no cash or food stamps from welfare are available but fortunately Finn has been able to live rent free and gladly admits to his roommate Ned (Mike White who also wrote the hilarious screenplay) that he is taking full advantage of him.
But luck has changed. One morning the phone rings and it's the principal (Joan Cusak) from an anal retentive private school calling for Ned. Despite the free rent, Dewey realizes he needs to eat so he pretends to be Ned and gets the job as a substitute teacher.
Now its obvious that the only education he has is music and happily a student named Zack plays the guitar. Zack is a bright and very intelligent boy who is vastly unappreciated by his father.
Now the fun gets going. Dewey, (now known as Mr. Finn) has announced that the new assignment is rock band. He orders the students to pledge allegiance to the band and its time to get rockn'. Coincidently, there is the battle of the bands going on and its the perfect way for Dewey to get his finances in order. He forms the band with help from Zack (who is one hell of a guitar player) and as things progress, we see that Dewey really cares about the students and has found a unique way to build their self esteem and his too.
But as good as one intentions might be, Dewey's roommate finds out after he receives a paycheck from a school that he has never taught at. The children's parents also find out and now think their children have been kidnapped when they take off with Dewey to perform at the competition.
The timing is perfect when the parents arrive at the show to rescue the kids just as the band is going on stage. To be nice, I won't give it all away, but the next 10 minutes is a terrific and great piece of entertainment.
I had debated on how many stars to give School Of Rock and to be fully convinced, I went out and bought the soundtrack. It gets 5 and School gets 4. This is the best comedy of 2003.
NOTE: I could not agree more with Roger Ebert on the MPAA decision to rate this movie PG-13. MPAA should stand for morons, putz, airheads and a**holes.