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Movies / On DVD / School of Rock
School of Rock

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School of Rock (2003)

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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

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Reviews for School of Rock

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1 - 20 (sorted by critic A-Z; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 >> >|
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For a silly kids' comedy, this is exceptionally well-made.

Full Review Source: Shadows on the Wall | comment Comment
12/05/03
Rich Cline
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall

It's irreverent without crossing the line, and hits a tender note without lapsing into maudlin sentiment.

Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
01/15/04
Stella Papamichael
Stella Papamichael
BBC
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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.

Full Review Source: FilmFocus | comment Comment
07/20/04
Joe Utichi
Joe Utichi
FilmFocus

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: ViewLondon | comment Comment
11/04/03
Matthew Turner
Matthew Turner
ViewLondon

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
05/14/04
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Independent | comment Comment
02/07/04
Independent
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
06/24/06
Derek Adams
Derek Adams
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Guardian [UK] | comment Comment
04/09/04
Guardian [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Joyfully subversive. I loved every minute of it.

Full Review Source: FilmsInReview.com | comment Comment
08/13/03
Victoria Alexander
Victoria Alexander
FilmsInReview.com

A studio comedy that's actually funny.

Full Review Source: Film Journal International | comment Comment
10/07/03
Ethan Alter
Ethan Alter
Film Journal International

Easily the funniest film of the year and one of those 'movies for all ages' (seriously).

Full Review Source: Newsday | comment Comment
10/02/03
John Anderson
John Anderson
Newsday

[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.

Full Review Source: San Francisco Examiner | comment Comment
10/03/03
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Jeffrey M. Anderson
San Francisco Examiner

Strong B+. I suppose the film is true to Rock 'n' Roll by being both fun and irresponsible.

Full Review Source: Hollywood Report Card | comment Comment
10/15/03
Ross Anthony
Ross Anthony
Hollywood Report Card

Funnyman Jack Black was born for this role – crisp, improvisational and brilliantly zany.

Full Review Source: Palo Alto Weekly | comment Comment
09/30/03
Jeanne Aufmuth
Jeanne Aufmuth
Palo Alto Weekly

.. 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.

Full Review Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer | comment Comment
10/02/03
Sean Axmaker
Sean Axmaker
Seattle Post-Intelligencer

I like this film. But that doesn't deny it's naggingly familiar.

Full Review Source: Sacramento Bee | comment Comment
10/03/03
Joe Baltake
Joe Baltake
Sacramento Bee

Linklater proves you can make a hit movie without being a sell-out.

Full Review Source: Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN) | comment Comment
10/06/03
John Beifuss
John Beifuss
Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)

Black's iconic performance here perfectly blends his naturally slovenly persona with his obvious passion for, and knowledge of, rock and roll.

Full Review Source: Spectrum (St. George, Utah) | comment Comment
10/12/03
Bruce Bennett
Bruce Bennett
Spectrum (St. George, Utah)

A string of cliches lashed together by a formulaic plot that features underwritten characters and sit-com style humor.

Full Review Source: ReelViews | comment 1 Comment
09/30/03
James Berardinelli
James Berardinelli
ReelViews

Jack Black isn’t an actor, he’s a clown — and a one-schitck clown at that.

Full Review Source: SPLICEDWire | comment Comment
10/01/03
Rob Blackwelder
Rob Blackwelder
SPLICEDWire
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by critic A-Z; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 >> >|
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Latest News for School of Rock

August 05, 2009: Columbia Adopts White's Babe in the Woods Opens in new window
"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 Opens in new window
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 Opens in new window
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...

See All

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