{image1} Here are two beliefs I hold and should disclose before launching into this review of Jack Black's new comedy, "The School of Rock." First, Black and his partner Kyle Gass, are at their best as Tenacious D, one of the funniest duos to hit the comedy scene in the last decade. Second, the funniest "adult-goes-to-school" comedies, by far, is Adam Sandler's "Billy Madison." Nothing else can touch it.
If you disagree with either of the above statements, you might as well stop reading this review, since you probably won't agree with my take on "The School of Rock," either.
That said, "The School of Rock," is a fairly funny movie, though its PG-13 rating slaps handcuffs on Black's blue sense of humor. And without the half of The D, JB just isn't quite as hilarious.
But, considering that most of Black's other movies, like "Saving Silverman," were not funny at all, his most recent film is pretty good. Playing a scruffy, chubby, slacker rocker (not much a stretch), Black fakes his way into substitute teaching to pay the rent. As Dewey Finn, he takes on the name and job of his whipped roommate, Ned Schneebly (Mike White). Let the hi-jinks ensue.
With little interest in teaching and more of desire to teach his private school students how to rock, Black turns his class into a pint-sized band. He imparts unto them his knowledge of guitar solos, Led Zeppelin, secret handshakes -- and basically all of his Tenacious D-style jokes -- without nary a swear word.
For some reason, the film earned a PG-13 rating, but it's clean enough to take the kids to see it. In fact, one wonders who the movie is aimed toward: children or adult fans of Black? On the other hand, maybe there's not much of a distinction there, anyway.
The kids in the film make good co-stars - it looks like they may even play their own instruments -- but they're mostly props for this nearly two-hour JB monologue. Cell phone pitchwoman Joan Cusak plays the straight-laced principal, while Sarah Silverman plays the other nagging roommate. Sadly, The D's KG doesn't make a cameo, but the gym teacher certainly does look like him.
Except for teenagers and die-hard D fans, you can probably wait to see "School of Rock" when it comes out on video. However, it has its moments and is good for more than a couple of laughs. But as Black continues to churn out mildly amusing movies, the question remains: where's that Tenacious D movie we've heard about? It's been two years since their debut CD, and their momentum has all but petered out.
Unfortunately, this means most D fans will leave "The School of Rock" wishing JB would pass on the movie about a group of third graders and just make a film about his own hilarious band.
"The School of Rock" opens everywhere Fri., Oct. 3.
Andy is the president, publisher and founder of OnMilwaukee. He returned to Milwaukee in 1996 after living on the East Coast for nine years, where he wrote for The Dallas Morning News Washington Bureau and worked in the White House Office of Communications. He was also Associate Editor of The GW Hatchet, his college newspaper at The George Washington University.
Before launching OnMilwaukee.com in 1998 at age 23, he worked in public relations for two Milwaukee firms, most of the time daydreaming about starting his own publication.
Hobbies include running when he finds the time, fixing the rust on his '75 MGB, mowing the lawn at his cottage in the Northwoods, and making an annual pilgrimage to Phoenix for Brewers Spring Training.
