School of Rock with swearing

Rating: 7/10 (25 December 2007)

That's what I think of when I watch this movie. Kind of a nastier version of school of rock. Both are Jack Black basically being himself as the opera style singer loving all things over the top in rock music. There are very few people who can deliver with the kind of energy and passion that Jack does, it is mesmerizing to watch. When I first saw the HBO series on Tenacious D I instantly identified with the characters, as I have frequented many an open stage in my life. It is a definite sub culture of great and not so great talent. Just the fact that JB and KG wright these epic "monster jam" songs on two acoustic guitars is a stroke of genius. The fact that they can actually pull it off is the most impressive part.
There are some moments of genius in "The Pick of Destiny" (the gig simulator, the ketchup pentagram trying to summon a new song "you're judging yourself, that's why that riff sucks") but overall the movie is a little dull and I was getting tired of Jack Black rhyming everything with "suck a c*ck". Thankfully the movie stays on target throughout without any pointless love interests or anything like that, and if you are fan of the D, you probably won't be disappointed. Dave Grohl is particularly good as the Devil. Cameos by Ben Stiller (the guitar tech that everyone has met once in their life) and Tim Robbins breathe much needed life into the story once it starts to sag a little. Tim Robbins Russian inspired character reminds me a little bit of Mark Mckinney's taxi driver character from Kids in the Hall, but he still is brilliant.
A fun escapist juvenile trip into rockout land. Long live Jables and the Kage.