Yet there are subversive details that elevate it beyond standard feelgood fare, notably Black’s insistence on treating his young charges like battle-hardened veterans...

| Original Score: 4/5 | Sep 8, 2023

School of Rock just doesn't rock. It has no appetite for destruction. No raw power. It's like late Whitesnake. Tidied-up, over-produced. Jack Black is not, sad to say, Jack White.

| Dec 20, 2017

Standout Jack Black in nerd-becomes-cool comedy.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Dec 28, 2010

School of Rock made me laugh harder than any movie I've seen this year.

| Nov 1, 2007

A cathartic class comedy for kids of all sizes, it's Bugsy Malone in rock pomp, Slacker meets Spy Kids.

| Jun 24, 2006

It would be a shame if only kids went to see this film. Adults who can still plug in to their inner rocker, if only to play air guitar, will love it, too.

Full Review | Aug 7, 2004

A raucous crowd pleaser with a pumping soundtrack, some awe inspiringly talented kids, and perfect comic performances.

| Original Score: 4/5 | May 14, 2004

| Original Score: 4/5 | Feb 7, 2004

It's irreverent without crossing the line, and hits a tender note without lapsing into maudlin sentiment.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Jan 15, 2004

School of Rock is uncut bliss.

| Oct 10, 2003

Almost entertaining enough and harmless enough for a pass… More interesting than the film, perhaps, are the comparisons and contrasts to another current music-themed hit comedy: The Fighting Temptations.

Full Review | Original Score: C | Oct 10, 2003

Hail! Hail! Jack Black: He's the clown king of rock & roll.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Oct 9, 2003

[A] great big ball of entertainment ...

Full Review | Oct 6, 2003

Pure fun.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Oct 5, 2003

This is a crude, loopy, slightly unhinged motion picture, put together almost as if it was some particularly industrial bootleg Rock album.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Oct 4, 2003

A clever and sometimes a beautiful thing.

Full Review | Oct 4, 2003

A movie for almost everyone, from boomer parents (who remember their teens and twenties) to their teenage kids (who can't wait to get started with same).

Full Review | Oct 3, 2003

Exuberant, raucous and thoroughly endearing.

Full Review | Oct 3, 2003

Not only a glove-fit of a movie for the volcanic Black, School Of Rock proves a surprisingly deft foray into pure, unadulterated fun for the gifted indie smart guy Linklater.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Oct 3, 2003

You'll think about it, weeks after seeing it, with a dopey grin on your face. (Yes, right now I have just such a grin on my face. Wanna make something of it?)

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4 | Oct 3, 2003