School of Rock rocks!

Rating: 10/10 (20 January 2008)

Jack Black plays the musical sage in this captivating film. He liberates a bunch of upper class school kids with a let-your-hair-down lesson plan aimed at scoring a "great rock moment." It's a personal moment for the kids and it comes off great. The climax song "Teacher's Pet" is the composition of 12-year old "Zack" (Joey Gaydos Jr.), who gets to play a hot guitar solo. The chorus girls include an adorable little blond named "Marta" (Caitlin Hale), who makes a permanent impression. They sing "ooh la la la" back-ups stolen from the Beatles song "You Won't See Me." Joan Cusack is perfectly cast as the uptight school principal. The wimpy "Ned Schneebly" character (Mike White) is played by the key writer of the screen play, so he's more important than you think. Comedian Sarah Silverman plays his bitchy girlfriend and she's despicable. I like Sarah, but it's mostly physical. School of Rock was an exciting and joyful film. Three thumbs up!