Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

The School of Rock is Jack Black's movie. Taking his Tenacious D ramparts to the big-screen, Jack Black has accumulated his talents in a hilarious way. The story is sweet and simple, relying on Black's students to help it along. While Black's antics may tire an audience out within seconds, he does what he does best: rock and roll.

Dewey Finn (Jack Black) is a failed rock and roller looking for a comeback. He accidentally gets a job as a substitute teacher in a middle school. So, Finn teaches what he knows best: rock. Soon, he has defied the school system forming a rock band of multi-faceted kids. The silly story, of course, finds time for a romance between Dewey and the principal (Joan Cusack). That makes it that much easier for Dewey to enter the band, called the School of Rock, into the Battle of the Bands, a contest of area rock bands in which the winners get a 10,000 dollar cash prize.

Do they win? I won't tell, but the film isn't about that. The best and most important part of the whole movie is how Black interacts with all the children. Movies with many children usually host a variety of characters. This one is no exception. The only difference is that Black sees them as all the same, one unit of talented rockers. He calls for them to come out of their shell to defy The Man, his definition of society I suppose. Sure enough, he ends up training them much to their parents and teachers' unawareness.

The story is silly. Things that happen in this film cannot be believable and fall into place so easily. I mean, I would love to see a rocker unite a class into a talented rock band that randomly. However, the message is wonderful and has a big heart. This is Jack Black's best film, by far, and a funny but honest performance. I believe he could sing of just about anything or everything. Music is his life, so most of the jokes that come off funny may be serious to him in his world.

The School of Rock DVD features 2 audio commentaries. Considering how bad of a movie this could have been (believe me, it could have failed miserably), this is worth a checking-out. There is a music video by Jack Black. Say it ain't so! Also, there's an interesting pitch to Led Zepplin from Jack Black. Which reminds me, perhaps half the reason this DVD is worth a viewing is the music. A few: Yes, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Jimmi Hendrix, and The Who.

I'm not crazy about the story, but overall, the film has a real heart thanks to the uncompromising Jack Black. He had many chances to make his character absurd but stayed true. He is "stickin' it to the Man" the whole time. Perhaps if certain characters had not been so one-dimensional or the plot been so predictable, it would have been received better. However, this film stands head-and-shoulders above the rest because of its message carried by Jack Black. And the music.

Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Good for Groups
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 9 - 12