Review of The School of Rock (2003) by Simeon T — 02 Mar 2015

This movie has its moments, but it is overrated, and not the best showcase for Jack Black's talents. That showcase remains High Fidelity, which captured Black at just the right dose as a very believable and supremely obnoxious record store snob.

He's really brilliant in that movie. Here, he's a dancing monkey, a self parody (to be honest, most of his career is self-parody). The strength of this movie is in the children, who are both talented and authentic.

There is something poignant in the way those kids, who are stifled by pressure so intense they can't be kids, find some oxygen in silly rock music. The young guitarist is particularly affecting. Whenever the adults are on screen, particularly Black and Sarah Silverman, it is annoying.