I used to just hate Jack Black. I thought his acting was bad, his humor was humorless and did not have a desire to see any of his movies. Then I saw "Shallow Hal", Benn made me see it, and I got a new perspective of Jack Black I never knew before. So I went to see The School of Rock, and was quite surprised again. Jack Black in a kid's movie. It is another aspect I was not expecting to see and although not the greatest movie, you should take the kids too see.

The story is fairly simple. Black plays Dewey Finn, a guitarist who gets kicked out of the band he started. He owes his wimpy roommate, Ned Schneebly (a former band mate who is learning to be a teacher by being a substitute teacher, played by Mike White, also the writer), over $2000 in back rent. Ned is pushed by his girlfriend Patty, played by Sarah Silverman, to throw out Dewey unless he comes up with the money to stay. So Dewey pretends to be Ned and accepts the job as a substitute teacher at a prestigious elementary school. Here he meets the school principle, played by Joan Cusack, who is a strict book nerd but like most women like that has a few skeletons in her closet.

Again I have not told the whole story but this is enough to get you started. Like most kids movies, the adults have to check reality at the door. Black does a good job with a script that is ok. The kids are all fun but none of the characters are really developed. The little girl that plays Summer, is the best, in an annoying way. The biggest problem is with the script. Mike White gives an admirable effort but it is lacking in details. It leaves you wanting to care about the kids and Dewey but doesn't give you a reason too. It also starts the beginnings of a love story between Dewey and the principle but never finishes it.

I haven't talked about the directing just because there isn't a whole lot to talk about. Director Richard Linklater, who also has done "Dazed and Confused", did a "Workman" job on directing, but the scenes that involve Dewey helping the kids feel better about themselves are not developed. Partly do to writing, partly directing.

Despite all of these negatives, it's a decent movie. It is very funny in parts and heart-warming in others. "School of Rock" is OK. Take the kids on a Saturday afternoon, they should have a good time.

Brian-The Naked Gun