For a silly kids' comedy, this is exceptionally well-made.
School of Rock (2003)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:183
Fresh:167
Rotten:16
Average Rating:7.7/10
Consensus: Black's exuberant, gleeful performance turns School of Rock into a hilarious, rocking good time.
Rated: PG [See Full Rating] for some rude humor and drug references
Runtime: 1 hr 49 mins
Genre: Comedies
Theatrical Release:06-02-2004
Synopsis: SCHOOL OF ROCK is a hilarious romp that parents will enjoy as much as their children. Jack Black stars as Dewey Finn, a wannabe rock star who doesn't seem to be rocking much of anything these days.... SCHOOL OF ROCK is a hilarious romp that parents will enjoy as much as their children. Jack Black stars as Dewey Finn, a wannabe rock star who doesn't seem to be rocking much of anything these days. Kicked out of the band that he started and about to be kicked out of his apartment, Dewey pretends that he's his roommate Ned Schneebly (Mike White) in order to take a job as a substitute teacher. Arriving at an ultra conservative--and ultra expensive--prep school, Dewey manages to fool the uptight principal (Joan Cusack). Soon, he finds himself in a classroom with a bunch of fifth graders. Obviously, Dewey has no intentions of teaching these kids anything, but when he discovers that a handful of them are talented musicians, a light bulb goes off. Determined to enter the local battle of the bands and win $25,000, Dewey embarks on his greatest mission of all: Teaching these kids how to rock! Director Richard Linklater (DAZED AND CONFUSED, WAKING LIFE) delivers his most universally appealing film with SCHOOL OF ROCK. Written specifically for Black by screenwriter/actor White, this outrageously entertaining crowd-pleaser elevates Black to superstar status. [More]
Starring: Jack Black, Joan Cusack, Mike White, Sarah Silverman
Starring: Jack Black, Joan Cusack, Mike White, Sarah Silverman, Miranda Cosgrove, Joey Gaydes
Director: Richard Linklater
Director: Richard Linklater
Screenwriter: Mike White
Producer: Scott Rudin
Composer: Craig Wedren
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Reviews for School of Rock
It's irreverent without crossing the line, and hits a tender note without lapsing into maudlin sentiment.
It's one of those films that’ll require you to be in a good mood to enjoy, but if you are – you definitely will.
Easily the funniest film of the year and one of those 'movies for all ages' (seriously).
[Linklater is] so smart and has such a sure touch that he was able to take the otherwise formulaic School of Rock and make it into something worth seeing.
Strong B+. I suppose the film is true to Rock 'n' Roll by being both fun and irresponsible.
Funnyman Jack Black was born for this role – crisp, improvisational and brilliantly zany.
.. a familiar song -- the journey of arrested adolescent/adult Dewey Finn (Jack Black) to maturity, helped along the way by the wisdom of children -- but the fun is in the performance.
Black's iconic performance here perfectly blends his naturally slovenly persona with his obvious passion for, and knowledge of, rock and roll.
A string of cliches lashed together by a formulaic plot that features underwritten characters and sit-com style humor.
Jack Black isn’t an actor, he’s a clown — and a one-schitck clown at that.
Latest News for School of Rock
August 05, 2009:
Columbia Adopts White's Babe in the Woods ![]()
"School of Rock" writer Mike White has sold Columbia Pictures his script for "Babe in the Woods," an action-comedy about "a female freshman from the Midwest who arrives at Yale... More...
October 17, 2008:
UK Critics Consensus: Is Burn After Reading A Coens Classic? Does Eagle Eye Have Enough Action, Man?
In this week's roster of UK cinema releases we have the latest addition to the Coen canon in the CIA comedy caper, Burn After Reading, Shia LeBeouf stakes a further claim to the... More...
September 08, 2008:
Linklater Says "Not So Fast" to School of Rock 2 ![]()
According to Richard Linklater, Paramount may have jumped the gun when they announced that "School of Rock 2" was on its way. More...
July 14, 2008:
Jack Black Heading Back to School ![]()
Looks like Mike White's School of Rock 2 script was pretty solid -- Paramount has given the sequel a green light, and Jack Black has signed on to star. More...
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