School of Rock - A Movie Review

I wonder what songs we’re going to rehearse in school today.

School of Rock arrived in theaters in 2003. Dewey Finn is kicked out of his own band. Desperate to compete in a rock band competition, he feigns as a substitute teacher in a private school. Turning his class into a rock band, this journey is eye-opening for everyone.

School of Rock is a film about passion, finding yourself, and most importantly, obtaining the power of music. I used to watch this film so much as a kid. In my most recent watch, School of Rock is an integral coming-of-age story.

Jack Black’s magnetic energy knocks it out of the ballpark. Not the most responsible person, Dewey is passionate about the world of music. Black has the best humor. He excelled in delivering an outstanding performance along with showcasing superb musical talents.

Originally having different plans for what he thought was revenge, turns into a meaningful journey. The relationships that Dewey creates with the kids is the best part of the film. He helped them gain better self-esteem. We all need someone to be the right motivator.

A remarkable ensemble of kid actors filled the roles of the students. For some, School of Rock was their first film. They performed their own instruments and vocals. Every member of the classroom gets a fair share of screen time.

A few members of the cast to mention are Joey Gaydoes Jr., Maryam Hassan, the late Kevin Alexander Clark, and the first film appearance by Miranda Cosgrove. She actually had to take bad singing lessons for one scene!

Adolescence is a tough age. Having relatable insecurities, audiences are sure to find someone to whom they can relate. Never be afraid to be you. One of my favorite qualities of the classroom is seeing their growth. Not just themselves, but their growth in coming together as classmates.

Expect a memorable appearance by Joan Cusack. As the principal of a prep school, Rosalie Mullins is tightly wound. But also misunderstood. Cusack’s deliverance of some dialogue made her performance all the more memorable. She and Black were excellent in their interactions.

Other credits include Mike White, Sarah Silverman, Adam Pascal, and a terrific ensemble of diverse actors. School of Rock challenged the ensemble to take a step outside of their comfort zone. The same goes for White who also had a hand in writing the film. Not a fan of rock music, he still wrote a story for Black to present his love for rock music.

The film is all about finding your voice. Richard Linklater focused on character development. School of Rock is all about passion. Finding your passion is an integral part of life, especially during adolescence. He connected with the cast adding moments that were genuine in their growth.

Of course, there are some major details that the film gets away with. Dewey masterfully pulls the wool with everything he does. Turning a classroom into a band as loud music plays across the halls could raise a lot of suspicions. It’s a film. School of Rock has fun being what it is. And it’s a fun film to sit through.

School of Rock concludes with an epic concert. It feels like you are at a real concert. The film aimed for genuineness, and it accomplished a defying moral. The concert is the best scene of the entire film.

This is a film that all music lovers need to witness. I could not stop smiling throughout the entire duration. School of Rock is an excellent film with a moral that audiences need to witness.