The School Of Rock DVD Review

"SCHOOL OF ROCK/ORANGE COUNTY" reviews

DVD

SCHOOL OF ROCK/ORANGE COUNTY

Author

anonymous

Date reviewed

2005-10-26 11:16:32

Provider

MRIB

DVD Review

Two of Jack Black's finest films come together on this set.

First up is School Of Rock in which Black plays Dewey Finn, a rock star wannabe who finds himself posing as a substitute teacher at a posh prep school. Maths and science aren't Dewey's bag though so he devises a new class project - Rock Band - and soon the kids are more au fait with their AC/DCs than their ABCs.

Next is Orange County which finds the loud star playing Lance, the slacker brother of Shaun Brumner (Colin Hanks), a Californian student whose hopes of studying at Stanford University are dashed by an administrative error, But Lance promises him that he'll get his smart sibling admitted, no matter what. Cue a road trip to the campus, which you know is going to end in tears.

Packed full of the brash and in-your-face humour we've come to expect from Black, this is a perfect pairing for his fans.

Copyright © MRIB 2005.

DVD

SCHOOL OF ROCK

Author

anonymous

Date reviewed

2005-10-26 11:16:32

Provider

MRIB

DVD Review

When it comes to 'rawk' credentials, you can't fault Jack Black. A self-confessed music freak, his duo Tenacious D (formed with Kyle Glass) has been hailed as "the Greatest Band in History." Admittedly that description has come from the boys themselves but let's not split hairs and instead see if Black's School Of Rock makes the grade?

Dewey Finn (Black) is a rock star wannabe. After plying an OTT trade in his band he finds himself out on his ear after one topless stage dive too many. Skint and with no hope of winning the Battle Of The Bands, Dewey manages to land a new gig - posing as his pal- as a substitute teacher at a posh prep school. Maths and science aren't Dewey's bag though and he doesn't think his young charges should worry about them too much either. So he devises a new class project - Rock Band - and soon the kids are more au fait with their AC/DCs than their ABCs.

Playing out like Dead Poets Society meets Spinal Tap, Richard Linklater's film is rather silly but also excellent fun with an appeal for kids and adults alike. Writer and Black pal Mike White delivers a perceptive and sharp script while Linklater proves that he can handle a teen blockbuster just as deftly as any indie flick.

It's definitely a pass with honours for the School Of Rock.

Copyright © MRIB 2005.