Black, kids shine in 'School of Rock'

"School of Rock," Jack Black's latest comedy, proves that it is still possible to make a comedy for all ages without being corny and solidifies Black's status as a leading man. Dewey Finn (Black) is a slob who has been mooching off of his roommate Ned (screenwriter Mike White) for years and has only one dream - for his rock band to make it big. But then his band kicks him out. Distraught at the fact that he no longer has a band to play along during his 20-minute solos and badly timed stage dives, Dewey lies around his apartment even more than he normally does. After Ned's pushy girlfriend Patty insists that Dewey pay his rent, he becomes desperate to find a job. When Dewey answers a phone call intended for Ned, who is a substitute teacher, his problems are solved. He poses as Ned and fills in as a fifth grade teacher at a snooty private school. And so the hilarity unfolds. Dewey lectures the students, not on math or science, but on classic rock and sticking it to "The Man." By chance, he discovers that his students are all musically talented and devises a plan to form a band with them. He outsmarts control freak Principal Mullins (Joan Cusack) and manages to put a rock band together, which he plans to play with in the upcoming Battle of the Bands. Along the way, Dewey and the kids, who are all played by actors who actually play instruments, grow close and it becomes clear that Dewey is probably the first teacher who has ever really taught them anything. The premise of the movie is one that could have been disastrous if it wasn't pulled off so perfectly. Black's chemistry with the children as well as with Cusack leads to the creation of a film that is enjoyable for kids and adults alike. Well, that is, kids who can handle the bits of profanity that come along with a PG-13 rating. Director Richard Linklater said "School of Rock" was never intended to be a kids' movie, which is perhaps why the film is a success. "I never really approached this as if I was making a kids' movie," Linklater said. "I was making a movie pitched at Dewey. I didn't want the movie to seem like a cutie kids' movie; it's a movie with kids in it." Linklater also said that Black, who White intended the role of Dewey for even before he began writing the script, could not have been more perfect. "You know you're in good shape when you can't imagine anyone else doing this part," Linklater said. "His voice, his guitar, his comedic chops, his acting, his kind of body talk, everything about him - this is so Jack. It was easy." The most impressive part of the film is the fact that all the kids sing or play instruments. "I thought I really had to get kids that could sing. That was rule number one," Linklater said. "I knew there was a lot of talent out there, so I was confident we could find kids who could play, but I was really happy with the kids we ended up with." Black's slapstick comedy, the freshness of the young actors, the jam sessions and rest of the supporting cast add up to a movie that is a must see for comedy lovers. Especially those who love classic rock. Grade: A