Jack Black is an actor on the move. A few short years ago, he had only a few bit parts in films to speak of, his only real claim to fame was being one of the two guys that make up Tenacious D. And that fame itself was not that widespread as I imagine you are likely to be asking yourself, ‘What the heck is Tenacious D.” Much as I’d like to answer that question for you, I don’t even know much about them. Over the last couple of years Black has made the transition into leading man status. Of course, we’re not talking typical leading man, but more a leading man for the MTV crowd, as he is a bit on the short and dumpy side. But roles in “Shallow Hal” and “School of Rock” have pushed him to the forefront of the public eye, so much so as to allow him the opportunity to be a presenter at this year’s Academy Awards. I wouldn’t say that Black’s brand of irreverent humor will appeal to everybody. If he is anything, he is the hero to drunken frat boys everywhere. Personally, I’m not a big fan, but I occasionally I do find him funny.

He’s not what I would call a great actor, but when he plays the part of a goofy rock ‘n’ roll fanatic, he is at his best. Oddly enough, “School of Rock” offers Black just this type of role. Here he plays Dewey Finn, one of those lazy guys with aspirations of rock stardom. His friend and roommate Ned (Mike White – who also wrote the screenplay) has shed these fantasies and is now working as a substitute teacher. As Dewey isn’t that great in the ‘making money’ department, when he happens to catch a job call intended for Ned, he decides to step in and substitute teach in order to get some cash. After all, how hard can substitute teaching be?

I wasn’t sure if I was going to like “School of Rock”, because I expected it to be one of those lowbrow drunken frat boy (those guys again?) kinds of movies. Surprisingly, I think in part due to the direction of Richard Linklater (“Dazed and Confused”, “Slacker”), it was actually somewhat above that. Not to say it won’t appeal to those DFBs, but it was funny enough to appeal to a wider audience. I wouldn’t say the movie was hysterically funny by any means, but there are some truly inspired comedic moments.

Paramount’s DVD release of “School of Rock” spares no expense in the extra features category. There are two commentaries, the first and best one done by Black and Linklater. It’s a fairly entertaining track as Black has a tendency to resort to joking around, but in between the jokes he and Linklater actually have a lot t osay about the film. The other track allows some of the kid’s in the film a chance to speak up about it. Though not as informative as the first track, the hearing how excited they were to be in the film is quite infectious. There’s also a fairly in depth look into the making of the film, complete with interviews with the cast and crew.

For some reason, Linklater felt there was no way the film would ever get off the ground if they weren’t able to include “The Immigrant Song” by Led Zeppelin. It seems Zeppelin isn’t into the habit of allowing their songs to be used, so Linklater gave Black the responsibility of ‘pleading’ with Zeppelin to let them use the song. He videotaped a plea, and sent it to them. It worked. Paramount added this videotape to the DVD and it’s really funny. Following this are two ‘video diaries’, the first one shot by the kids as they attended the Toronto Video Festival where the movie premiered. The other one was shot for MTV and focuses on a day with Jack Black.

I think some people will be surprised, as I was, as to how much better of a movie “School of Rock” is than what they might expect. Granted, the humor at times is still a bit childish and silly, but it’s still funny. The only thing that might turn you off is Black himself, who is somewhat of an acquired taste.

Directed by: Richard Linklater
Starring: Jack Black, Joan Cusack, Mike White, Sarah Silverman
Extras: Commentary by Actor Jack Black and Director Richard Linklater, Kid’s Kommentary, Lessons Learned in School of Rock, Jack Black’s Pitch to Led Zeppelin, School of Rock Music Video, Kid’s Video Diary, MTV’s Diary of Jack Black, Dewy Finn’s History of Rock
Specifications: Widescreen Enhanced for 16X9 Televisions, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound, English Dolby Surround
Studio: Paramount
Release Date: 3/2/2004
Region 1
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (For Some Rude Humor and Drug References)
Website

We'll give School of Rock a B.