School Of Rock
Published September 10, 2003
A movie like this shouldn't be so entertaining, but it is because everyone involved didn't try to make it more than it is. Mike White obviously wrote his screenplay with Jack Black in mind in an effort to give him a perfect canvas for his talents. There's no other excuse for something like this to exist - no one needed another film in this tired, simplistic genre. And sure, it'd be easy to go on about how disappointing it is that Black's not stretching his acting talents and challenging himself, but when he appears to be having as much fun onscreen as he so obviously does here, how can you not enjoy it yourself? Where Saving Silverman was also a very (very) stupid movie storywise, it also failed because the actors themselves (especially Black) seemed to be thinking the entire time "Dude, this is stupid, why did I sign onto this?" School Of Rock succeeds because the attitude seems to have been to just go out and have fun. And have fun they did - Black is at his wildly manic best here and he has a supportive "supporting" cast that reacts to him like seasoned comic vets should.
A plus that Alissa pointed out was that the kids never succumbed to the Hollywood cliche' of kids always being "cute" and "precocious." These kids played and acted with no attitude whatsoever - they were perfectly normal. There were no "aww"-inspiring moments, and they even glossed over the one "woe is me" type moment that all kid-based movies have (you know the type - there's always one kid who's fighting against an oppressive family member who doesn't want him engaging in whatever behavior has been deemed as "beneath" him, but he really loves to do it and finds a way to make good in the end.) The result is an entirely entertaining movie that makes up for it's faults and predictibility with enthusiasm and a generous dose of inspired humor.
(Unproductivity - c'mon, you know you want to click that link.)
- School Of Rock
- Published: September 10, 2003
- Type:
- Section: Video
- Filed Under: Video: Comedy
- Writer: Tom Johnson
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This musician will second that emotion, but the underlying sexism in the film really got under my skin. Granted, SOR wasn't meant to be a message film, but it annoyed me that the girls could only be backup singers or groupies, save one who got to play bass but was not given the opportunity the boy musicians enjoyed. (Exception: The girl featured as the band's manager was pretty spunky, but she didn't get to rock.) Yeah, yeah, rock is pretty sexist, but it just made me sad that the "boys rule" ethos was so blithely passed on to yet another generation.
That said, a message did come from the film. The notion that no matter what, we should do whatever it takes, whatever the cost, to express ourselves as we see fit (so long as we widen our eyes so that we look like we're insane while doing it) is an important thing to communicate in a John Ashcroft America.
I enjoy Jack Black, so overall the film was enjoyable to me and offered some really funny moments -- and the rawk was great, but the sum of its parts ended up totalling less than I expected.
Natalie, I agree. I am not one who's really sensetive to picking up underlined messages like sexism or even racism. It usually doesn't daze me. Probably because I"m a male and of lighter skin tone. I however did not appreciate the groupie thing, and was glad to see the one girl step up and not be happy w/ that. I was also glad to see a female thumpin the bass pretty hard!
For "backup singers," the girls got a pretty good amount of screen time. Maybe they could have had a girl play guitar - but maybe they couldn't find any that played well enough (remember, the kids all played their own instruments in the film - they're not being overdubbed by "real" musicians.) The stories around the kids wouldn't have been affected whether it was a boy or girl who played the part. And the girl bassist got treated like most bassists do, sad as it may be: ignored.
This "'boys rule ethos'" you speak of died a long time ago. There are countless bands with female members these days (Kittie springs immediately to mind.) Maybe in the 70s and 80s that would be true, but not anymore.
It has receded in the past 20-30 years, but dead? Not quite yet.
You're right about bassists generally being ignored, though.
maybe what I caught wasn't so much a sexist air, but more of a discust that they would tell young girls to be "groupies". The term "groupie" in my mind is nothing but negative.
Well.. I hate to say it, but i loved the movie, and I really dont think that any of the actors were thinking "Why am I making this movie?" Thats all I have to say.. Except one more thing.. I have never.... ever... ever heard Neil Peart's name pronounced rhyming with "ear" it's ALWAYS rhymed with "hurt"... Not even Rush themselves pronounce it rhyming with "ear".. I would know.. i do have all of their DVDs.. including Rush in Rio. And i've been playing drums my whole life.. and Neil is one of my idols. So yeah.. i do study him..
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I'll give you props for this review even if no one else will!
I loved this movie because, as a musician, it somehow captured all the passion and feelings I once had when I started my band. You know...those feelings you had before you became jaded. Jack Black and the kids somehow expressed everything I used to feel about playing in a rock and roll band, and brought it out in me again. Amazing. I can't wait to rock out again!