Spinal Tap with kids!

Rating: 8/10 (14 November 2004)

A fine effort. This role was made for Jack Black (literally), whose musical prowess is legendary (i.e., part truth, part imagination - see also "Tenacious D") - he is a genuine musician, with a voice of his own and a deft touch with lyrics that put the *iron* in *irony*. He's a force to be reckoned with as an actor, too - he brings it to you, and you know it. As in "This Is Spinal Tap", the music is actually played (and some of it written) by the folks you see on the screen. For me, this gives it "street cred" you can't get any other way. Linklater's direction is generally on the money; the only quibble I have is that the pace flags in spots. Perhaps it could have been edited a bit tighter? I'd hate to have to decide what to cut, though. It's fairly predictable, in the "Bad News Bears" sense, but there's still fun to be had in seeing how they get there. Joan Cusack does her usual utterly convincing job, and the kids are great.