"SCHOOL OF ROCK"
(2003) (Jack Black, Joan Cusack) (PG-13)

Alcohol/ Drugs	Blood/Gore	Disrespectful/ Bad Attitude	Frightening/ Tense Scenes	Guns/ Weapons
Mild	Minor	Moderate	None	None
Imitative Behavior	Jump Scenes	Music (Scary/Tense)	Music (Inappropriate)	Profanity
Moderate	None	None	Minor	Mild
Sex/ Nudity	Smoking	Tense Family Scenes	Topics To Talk About	Violence
Mild	Minor	Minor	Moderate	Minor

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QUICK TAKE:

Comedy: A rock 'n roller poses as a substitute teacher so that he can use his elementary school students to enter a battle of the bands contest.

PLOT:

Dewey Finn (JACK BLACK) has had better days. Patty (SARAH SILVERMAN), the girlfriend to his meek roommate Ned Schneebly (MIKE WHITE), wants him to pay up on his substantial back rent, while his own band has just fired him. Thus, when Dewey takes a call for Ned regarding a substitute teacher opening, the unemployed rocker lies that he's Ned and takes the job.

Arriving at Horace Green Prep, Dewey meets the principal, Rosalie Mullins (JOAN CUSACK), as well as the class of elementary school students. Realizing no one will join his new band, as well as that the students need an awakening in their musical knowledge and tastes, Dewey throws out the current curriculum.

In its place, he teaches all things rock 'n roll to the likes of Zach (JOEY GAYDOS JR.), the lead guitarist; Freddy (KEVIN CLARK), the drummer; Katie (REBECCA BROWN), the bass player; Lawrence (ROBERT TSAI), the keyboardist; singers Tomika (MARYAM HASSAN), Alicia (ALEISHA ALLEN) and Marta (CAITLIN HALE); band stylist Billy (BRIAN FALDUTO), band manager Summer (MIRANDA COSGROVE) and others.

With just weeks to go before the big contest, Dewey tries to whip the kids into shape and hopes that no one discovers his goal or ruse of playing a substitute teacher.

WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT?

Since it's about and aimed at kids, it's a safe bet that certain ones will want to see it.

WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: PG-13

For some rude humor and drug references.

CAST AS ROLE MODELS:

JACK BLACK plays an unemployed rocker who cons others into thinking he's a substitute teacher. He then throws out the curriculum and teaches all things rock 'n roll to the elementary school students so that he can use them to enter a battle of the bands contest. He acts wild at times, admits to having a hangover, and uses some profanity.

MIKE WHITE plays his meek roommate who never stands up to his girlfriend.

JOAN CUSACK plays the school's principal who finally loosens up a bit after getting to know Dewey and having a few beers with him.

SARAH SILVERMAN plays Ned's pushy girlfriend who doesn't like Dewey.

MIRANDA COSGROVE plays the precocious student who questions Dewey's teaching tactics, but accepts the role of band manager.

JOEY GAYDOS JR. plays the lead guitarist.

KEVIN CLARK plays the drummer.

REBECCA BROWN plays the bass player.

ROBERT TSAI plays the classically trained keyboardist.

MARYAM HASSAN plays the singer who has a terrific voice but is upset over her weight.

ALEISHA ALLEN and CAITLIN HALE play her backup singers.

BRIAN FALDUTO plays the effeminate band stylist.

CAST, CREW, & TECHNICAL INFO

HOW OTHERS RATED THIS MOVIE

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Curious if this title is entertaining, any good, and/or has any artistic merit?
Then read OUR TAKE of this film.

(Note: The "Our Take" review of this title examines the film's artistic merits and does not take into account any of the possibly objectionable material listed below).

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OUR WORD TO PARENTS:

The following is a brief summary of the content found in this comedy that's been rated PG-13. Profanity consists of a handful of mild expletives, while some colorful phrases are also used. A few, non-explicit/offhand sexually related remarks are made, as are ones about drugs and drinking and/or being hung over. A few characters do drink and/or smoke.

Some brief, crude remarks are made, while some bad attitudes (mostly lying) and imitative behavior are also present. Should you still be concerned about the film's appropriateness for yourself or anyone else in your home, you may want to look more closely at our detailed listings for more specific information regarding the film's content.

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ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE

People have drinks in a bar.

A comment is made that Dewey was passed out the night before.

Dewey tells his students that he has a hangover and wonders if they know what that means. One answers that it means he's drunk, but Dewey corrects him and states that he was drunk the night before. One then says that Dewey's an alcoholic.

Dewey tells the students that he has a hangover and "the runs" (diarrhea).

After Dewey asks the students what rock is about, one replies, "Getting wasted."

We hear that Principal Mullins got drunk at some dinner in the past.

A rocker holds a beer bottle.

A person comments that rock is about more than getting loaded and acting like a jerk.

Dewey makes up a hospital name and calls it "St. Margaritas."

After Principal Mullins tells Dewey that another teacher said she heard music coming from his classroom, he comments that the other teacher "must be on crack" for saying that.

Dewey and Principal Mullins have beer in a bar where others also drink. Mullins sips hers at first, and then drinks more.

Dewey jokingly tells the kids (the night before their big competition) that they should not be drinking tequila and "trying to get lucky."

BLOOD/GORE

Dewey tells the students that he has a hangover and "the runs" (diarrhea).

We see Dewey standing at a urinal, but don't see any related body activity.

Assigned to name the band, a girl informs Dewey that one of their choices could be "Pig rectum."

DISRESPECTFUL/BAD ATTITUDE

Dewey impersonates Ned on the phone and then in person at the school where he poses as a substitute teacher. He then decides to use the students to help him win the Battle of the Bands contest and continues his ruse for most of the rest of the film (and he tells them not to tell their parents). He also lies about the kids having a terminal disease (so that they can get into the contest after the registration has closed); has the kids involved in deceiving the Principal, and lies to her about his past experience in teaching.

Some viewers might not like the comedic but stereotypical gay portrayal of one of the young male students (his likes and dislikes, way of speaking and moving, etc.). Likewise, more sensitive viewers might not like the following child molestation-related humor: Various parents misunderstand Dewey when he says, "I've been touched by your kids and I'm pretty sure I've touched them."

An adult rocker makes a comment about the Mickey Mouse Club when spotting the young participants.

The kids sneak out of school to get Dewey and go to the competition.

FRIGHTENING SCENES

None.

GUNS/WEAPONS

None.

IMITATIVE BEHAVIOR

Phrases: "Suck" (written), "Idiot," "What's up, dog?" "Shut up," "Nuts" (crazy), "Funny little footnote on my epic ass," "Lard ass," "Crapola," "Miss dumbum," "This guy sucks," "I've got (something) up the butt," "Fat washed up loser," "Flake out," "Spazzy," "Sluts," "Pig rectum" (the proposed name for the band), "Losey Goosey," "Chicks" (women), "Shut the hell up," "Get out of here stupid ass," "You're a fat loser," "Step off," "You're the man" (said as a veiled insult), "Jerk," "Fuzz" (police), "Screwed up," "I suck," "You're an idiot," "That is so punk rock," "Kick (some) ass," "Chill out dude" and "Kick ass show."

The film could inspire kids to want to be in a rock band or act like they are.

Dewey tries to jump into the crowd at a concert. Nobody catches him, however, and he lands quite hard on the floor (but is otherwise okay).

Various miscellaneous characters have tattoos on various parts of their bodies.

Dewey holds up three fingers and tells his former band mates to read between the lines (which would equate him giving them "the finger."

A miscellaneous woman wears a midriff-revealing top.

The kids sneak out of school to get Dewey and go to the competition.

JUMP SCENES

None.

MUSIC (SCARY/TENSE)

None.

MUSIC (INAPPROPRIATE)

The lyric "kick some ass" is in a performed song.

PROFANITY

At least 6 asses, 2 hells, 1 crap, 1 damn, 2 uses of "God" and 1 use of "Oh my God."

SEX/NUDITY

Ned states that he's not a "satanic sex god" any more (referring to his former days of rock and roll).

After Dewey assigns Summer and a few other girls as groupies for the band, Summer is upset with Dewey. She informs him that groupies are "sluts" and that they sleep with the band. He then makes her band manager.

After Dewey asks the students what rock is about, one answers, "Scoring chicks."

We see the name of the rock band, The Sex Pistols, written and later mentioned.

Dewey jokingly tells the kids (the night before their big competition) that they should not be drinking tequila and "trying to get lucky."

SMOKING

Some miscellaneous characters smoke in several scenes.

TENSE FAMILY SCENES

One of the students isn't happy with the way his father treats him (telling him no more rock 'n roll).

TOPICS TO TALK ABOUT

Rock 'n roll music.

Being in a band.

Tomika thinks that people will laugh at her because she's fat.

Some viewers might not like the comedic but stereotypical gay portrayal of one of the young male students (his likes and dislikes, way of speaking and moving, etc.).

VIOLENCE

Dewey tries to jump into the crowd at a concert. Nobody catches him, however, and he lands quite hard on the floor (but is otherwise okay).

Dewey overturns and shoves a chair in anger (when he's told his band can't compete).

Reviewed October 3, 2003 / Posted September 3, 2003

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