Jack Black isn't an actor, he's a clown--and a one-shtick clown at that. Compare any two-minute clip of this new comedy to any of his scenes from Orange County, Shallow Hal, or Saving Silverman, and you'll see the exact same tongue-wagging and eye-bugging mugging; the exact same frenzied, finger-knotting gestures and roly-poly, off-balance dancing; the exact same eyebrow-stitching failed attempts at momentary sincerity; and the exact same set-devouring dialogue delivery. Here he plays his usual freeloading oaf type who poses as a substitute at a prep school, teaching a dutiful fifth-grade class of Central Casting archetypes to loosen up and rock out. The story is stale formula, right down to the battle-of-the-bands finale, but School of Rock almost gets by on the lighthearted enthusiasm of indie director Richard Linklater (Before Sunrise, Waking Life), and it does have a contagious, forgiving cheer-along spirit that will likely sustain those less averse to Jack Black's repetitive antics. A strong optional purchase. [Note: Available in either widescreen or full screen versions, DVD extras include audio commentaries (one by director Richard Linklater and star Jack Black; the other a “Kids Kommentary” by seven of the young cast members), the 25-minute behind-the-scenes featurette “Lessons Learned on School of Rock,” the Jack Black episode of MTV's Diary (16 min.), the eight-minute “Kids' Video Film Diary: Toronto Film Festival” featurette, the cast music video “School of Rock” (4 min.), the three-minute featurette “Jack Black's Pitch to Led Zeppelin,” trailers, and DVD-ROM features. Bottom line: a meaty extras package for one of 2003's most popular and overrated films.] (R. Blackwelder)
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