Predictable but cute and with good music

Rating: 5/10 (19 March 2006)

Recap: Dewey Finn, a passionate hardcore rocker finds himself in a little bit of a jam. Without his own apartment, he owes his friend, Ned Schneebly, whom he lives with a lot of money in rent and he just got kicked out from his band. Ned and Ned's girlfriend tell him to get his ct together, maybe give up his rocking dream, and get a real job. So when a prestigious private elementary school calls for Ned, in need for a substitute teacher, Dewey decides to impersonate his friend to get his hand on some cash. Problem is, Dewey knows nothing about anything but rock. So he hijacks his class, forms the into a rock band and teaches them to rock, all with a single goal. Victory at Battle of the Bands.
Comments: Cute, a little funny but overall very predictable and very close to being a family-movie. The movie itself actually fails in its own theme; to revolt, to challenge and to "stick it to the Man". Unfortunately the movie and its jokes are completely mainstream. There are no surprises or new ideas, just the same old proved ones. And to be honest, the proved approach does work, to a certain extent. That is why it has stuck around, but by only using this there is nothing new, no refreshing approach, nothing to elevate the movie. Nothing to give the viewer a little jolt. Because the movie is too slow sometimes and does not rock at all.
Jack Black is perfect as Finn, and the child actors impressed me. And then there is the music. It uses some great classic rock pieces, and that actually elevates the movie somewhat, but not by much.
5/10