School of Hard Rock

Movie: School of Hard Rock
Reviewed By: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Cast:

Jack Black .... Dewey Finn
Joan Cusack .... Principal Rosalie Mullins
Mike White .... Ned Schneebly
Sarah Silverman .... Patty
Joey Gaydos .... Zack, the lead guitar player
Maryam Hassan .... Tomika, the shy singer

Summary:

Down and out rock star Dewey Finn (Black) gets fired from his band, and he faces a mountain of debts and depression. He takes a job as a 4th grade substitute teacher at an uptight private school where his attitude and hijinx have a powerful effect on his students. He also meets Yuki, a 9-year-old guitar prodigy, who could help Dewey win a "battle of the bands" competition, which would solve his financial problems and put him back in the spotlight.

Critique:

Jack Black plays a true rock star Dewey Finn who dreams of making it to the top and "Sticking It To The Man". Unfortunatly for Dewey his band replaces him in a secret meeting and he is left to fend for himself to find some money, to pay his friend the rent he owes him. Dewey is sitting in his appartment when he receives a life saving phone call from a prep school. The prep school is looking for a supply teacher to fill in for one of the teachers who has an unfortunate mishap. Dewey steals the identity of his friend to become a supply teacher to receive money so he can pay off his friend. The school is run by a tight-ended teacher played by Joan Cusack. Dewey arrives in the fifth grade and just sits until the days come to an end. That is until he heres his students playing classical music in there music class. Dewey gets the brilliant idea of using the kids to start a rock band and enter the battle of the bands to win his way to some rent money. Dewey gets caught up with the police and has to hide until the kids who are inspired by Dewey force him to go to the battle of the bands.

The movie is hilarious, Jack Black is not as nuts as he usually is in a movie but he still has his moments. If you love rock and roll and have ever dreamed of living the rock and roll lifestyle this movie is for you. All orignal music written by Jack Black and screenwriter Mike white. This movie will inspire you right to the very end.

Rating: 8.5/10
Runtime: 108 min
MPAA Rating: Rated PG-13 for some rude humor and drug references.
"School of Hard Rock" opens nationwide Friday October, 3 2003