by Edward James

Created on: June 07, 2010   Last Updated: June 08, 2010

School of Rock was written by Mike White and directed by Richard Linklater. It was released back in February 2004.

Dewey Finn (Jack Black) is an amateur guitarist following his dream of becoming part of a successful rock band. Being a "musician" Dewey lives on the bread line and continuously struggles to pay the bills and other everyday life costs. After being booted of his band Dewey hits rock bottom and crashes on the sofa of Ned Schneebly (Mike White) an old college friend. Whilst at college Ned shared the same dream as Dewey, however he grew up and came to the realization that it was not going to happen. Consequently he became a supply teacher. Ned applies a bit of pressure and in desperation to get a bit of money behind him Dewey takes a job (that was intended for Ned) as a supply teacher at a local private school.

During a music class, Dewey realizes his class is full of talented musicians and whilst they are all classically trained, he has an idea to teach them rock and roll with the intention of entering them in a battle of the band's competition that his old band is entering. Dewey secretly increases the amount of music lessons, at the expense of other classes, in order to train his new band who are all sworn to secrecy and tell no one.

Will the band be ready in time? Do they make it to the battle of the bands competition? Does Dewey actually make enough cash to live? What happens to Dewey's old band?

I only watched this film since it was being aired on a long haul flight, and given I was flying with Lufthanser it was the only thing available. The Lufthanser plane I was on had TV screens that were attached to the roof (as opposed to each passenger having their own TV in the headrest of the seat in front) and the staff choose what film is to be shown and when it is shown so it was the only bit of real entertainment.

Firstly, I think that this is a film aimed at a younger audience. It is definitely one that I would sit down with my nephew and a few of his mates and watch. Whilst many films for younger audiences also appeal to older viewers I do not think that this is the case with this film.

Jack Black is a great actor and he is entertaining in this. I would not call him funny, but then my sense of humor is such that I like schoolboy humor, innuendo, a bit of foul language (in moderation) and all the other immature stuff that goes with it to make me laugh out loud. This film was designed for an audience whereby such content would be inappropriate.

Obviously

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