Plot: What’s it about?
Jack Black, a funny-looking sort of man, scored big with School of Rock. Those who are familiar with the persona of Mr. Black undoubtedly realized that he’s a musician of sorts. Black makes up one half of Tenacious D, a cult show that documents the successes and failures of a musical duo. Though Black gained notoriety in 1999’s High Fidelity, he went onto some more mainstream success with the Kung Fu Panda franchise as well as King Kong and Jumanji. The typical romantic leading man, he’s not, but let us not forget that the movie was directed by one Richard Linklater; the mastermind behind such movies as The Before Trilogy, Dazed and Confused and Waking Life. Linklater, obviously a music enthusiast, seems to be not only one of the more popular directors; but also one of the more consistent when it comes to making entertaining movies that are also critically acclaimed. But, could it work? The movie, that is? Sure, you can borrow the “Rolling Stone” logo, but you have to create something pretty interesting to live up to that standard. Did they?
Jack Black plays Dewey Finn, a deadbeat with hopes of hitting it big in the music industry. The trouble is that he’s listened to too many Zeppelin albums and it’s made him think that he’s the biggest star in the world. He’ll go into twenty minute guitar solos and, when he thinks the crowd is ready, will stage dive (though the crowd doesn’t seem to catch him). Dewey lives with his friend and former “rocker”, Ned Schneebly (Mike White). Ned has grown up and now substitutes part time to make ends meet and is now under the control of his one, and possibly only, girlfriend (Sarah Silverman). Dewey is behind on the rent and when he intercepts a call for a substitute teaching “gig”, intended for his roommate, he accepts the job in order to get some quick cash. Now this is where the movie could either become predictable and dull or really take off. It takes off. Though the class is full of stereotypical types (the brain, the cool guy, the troublemaker, the nerd, etc.) Dewey becomes a great teacher when he hears how bad their musical talents are. Wanting to win the “Battle of the Bands”, he crafts together a band out of the students.
Looking back at this film two decades later, it does stand the test of time. Then again, films like this usually do. Black has had quite the illustrious career and he was no one trick pony when it came to the world of music. He can really play and he can really sing! This is his movie, to be sure. Richard Linklater’s direction along with Mike White’s script are the other two anchor points that made this film successful. White has also made quite the name for himself as a writer with The White Lotus (among others). The film might be a bit “paint by numbers” from time to time, but it’s really the chaotic energy that Black is able to produce that makes it work. I remember seeing him in a brief scene in The Jackal (a guilty 90’s pleasure of mine) and he stole the scene from Bruce Willis. If you’re a fan of music, Black or the films of Richard Linklater – this one really has it all.
Video: How does it look?
Count this as an opportunity missed. Given the release of this movie in Steelbook form, it would have been ripe for a new 4K transfer and a Dolby Atmos mix. Nope, what we have is the same 1.85:1 AVC HD encdoe that’s been available for a decade. That said, the colors are bright and vivid throughout and I noticed a level of detail that I didn’t notice with other movies, even the new ones. The flesh tones seemed right on target and they didn’t have that somewhat “muddy” appearance that some films are plagued with. There were only a few areas that I noticed maybe a few specs on the print, but certainly nothing to worry about. It’s still a good-looking film, but it’s frustrating when they just take the same disc that’s been available and put it in a new, shiny package.
Audio: How does it sound?
For a movie about rock and roll, I’d have to say that I wasn’t too blown away with the DTS HD Master Audio soundtrack. Sure, there are plenty of great songs included, but the surrounds didn’t kick in nearly as much as I thought they would. I even made sure I had the 5.1 soundtrack selected. The sound isn’t something to be worried about as the dialogue is reproduced very naturally and though most of the action takes place in the front three channels, the surrounds do kick in a few times. While I wasn’t blown away, I certainly wasn’t let down, either.
Supplements: What are the extras?
Again, as mentioned above, this is simply the same Blu-ray that’s been put in a new case. All of the extras are the same with nothing new added.
- Audio Commentary – Director Richard Linklater and Actor Jack Black talk and talk and talk, which is a good thing considering it’s a commentary track. Black does more of his schtick, which does liven the track up a bit; but it’s clear to see how into the movie these two were with this track. The second track is a bit more for novelty.
- Kids’ Kommentary – This isn’t misleading, it certainly does contain a number of the children found in the film. I believe, for all of the kids, this was their first film and definitely their first commentary track. Though they don’t add a whole lot of information, they are genuinely excited to be a part of it.
- Lessons Learned on School of Rock– This isn’t your usual piece of fluff that’s found on most discs, rather it’s a look at how the movie was made and the idea (by writer Mike White) got the ball rolling.
- Jack Black’s Pitch to Led Zeppelin – Evidently the “Kings of Rock” aren’t too fond of letting their music be used in feature films and Black, along with hundreds of extras, has videotaped a plea to let them use a song in the film. Evidently it worked, because afterwards we’re shown the scene in which the “Immigrant Song” is played. Who says begging doesn’t pay off?
- School of Rock Music Video – This is the same song performed at end of the movie; but this has been shot especially for video.
- Kids’ Video Diary: Toronto Film Festival – Shot by the kids, we can see how excited they are and don’t really know what lies ahead of them. Though it’s not all too informative, it’s an interesting feature nonetheless.
- MTV’s Diary of Jack Black – This takes us through his day, August 16, 2003, as he literally gets out of bed, showered (and we see way too much of him, by the way) and off to rehearsal (and he constantly says he’s late, but I don’t think the guy can be taken seriously). One thing that impressed me, though made sense, was that the kids were cast because of their music abilities, rather than their acting abilities. This was most of the kids’ first movie and perhaps we might find one or two that will make a career out of it?
- Dewey Finn’s History of Rock – An “interactive” feature in which you can select things off a chalkboard which reveals some tidbits about the subject in question.
- Theatrical Trailer
The Bottom Line
Two decades after its initial release School of Rock continues to entertain. Paramount’s disc is, ultimately, a bit of letdown. Why? We could have gotten a 4K version of the film (or at least a re-mastered Blu-ray) with a next generation audio mix. Instead we get the same disc in new packaging. If, for some reason, you don’t own this and you’re a fan of Steelbooks – by all means…otherwise, stick with what you’ve got until Paramount does this one right.
