A great re-introduction of history.

Rating: Null/10 (1 November 2003)

This film is a miracle. It introduces today's young people to an older generation of music that mattered. Today's music (if you can call it that) is based largely on marketing and not talent. The criminal element is given too much opportunity and exposure and shouldn't even be given the time of day. A lot of today's acts lip-synch at concerts, dress up in sexy tight clothing (or wear very little clothing) and a lot of the female artists look like strippers instead of pop stars. Classic rock's style of music sold itself with very little promotion because it was so good.

Jack Black plays a man who masquerades as a substitute teacher and introduces his 5th graders to rock and roll from the likes of such immortals as Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, The Doors and The Who. The kids respond very well and learn that not only is the music important but that it's fun to learn about.
Black learns a lot about himself in the process and turns his meaningless life around while he helps educate a group of kids in the process. Director Richard Linklater has a very steady approach to this film, knows when to inject humour and knows when to keep the tone serious. It's a very well developed film and I honestly think Jack Black could get an Oscar nomination for this film because his character is honest, passionate and totally convincing. And the academy loves good teacher performances. A gem of a film!!
And where did Linklater get the idea of injecting 1988's 'Bonzo Goes to Bitburg' by the Ramones halfway through the film as a montage to the film's progress in the first act? That song is a little known buried treasure that was not a top 40 hit but is known among people who love the depth of the music industry. What a great move!!