Do you want to see ‘School of Rock’?

School of Rock (2003)

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All Critics
Top Critics

Average Rating: 7.8/10
Reviews Counted: 189
Fresh: 173 | Rotten: 16

Black's exuberant, gleeful performance turns School of Rock into a hilarious, rocking good time.

Average Rating: 8.2/10
Critic Reviews: 39
Fresh: 38 | Rotten: 1

Black's exuberant, gleeful performance turns School of Rock into a hilarious, rocking good time.

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Average Rating: 3.2/5
User Ratings: 31,272,752

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Movie Info

The world's least-employable heavy metal guitarist is entrusted with the minds of upstate New York's best and brightest in this fish-out-of-water comedy. Jack Black plays Dewey Finn, axe-bearer for a fitfully successful bar band determined to win a regional battle-of-the-bands competition. There's only one thing standing in their way: the self-indulgent solos and crowd-diving antics of their "embarrassing" lead guitarist. When his band votes him out in favor of a would-be rock god, Dewey has to

PG-13, 1 hr. 48 min.

Comedy

Directed By: Richard Linklater

Written By: Mike White

In Theaters: Oct 3, 2003 Wide

On DVD: Mar 2, 2004

Box Office:$81.1M

Paramount Pictures

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

November 1, 2007 Full Review Source: Newsweek

| Comment

David Ansen

Newsweek

Top Critic

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.

August 7, 2004 Full Review Source: New York Magazine

| Comment

Peter Rainer

New York Magazine

Top Critic

School of Rock is uncut bliss.

October 10, 2003 Full Review Source: Slate

| Comment

David Edelstein

Slate

Top Critic

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

October 9, 2003 Comment

Peter Travers

Rolling Stone

Top Critic

[A] great big ball of entertainment ...

October 6, 2003 Full Review Source: Ebert & Roeper

| Comment

Richard Roeper

Ebert & Roeper

Top Critic

A great big chord of fun.

October 4, 2003 Comment

Robert Denerstein

Denver Rocky Mountain News

Top Critic

Standout Jack Black in nerd-becomes-cool comedy.

December 28, 2010 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media

| Comment

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Jack Black is a one-man rock 'n roll powerhouse in this infectious musical comedy directed by Gen X wunderkind Richard Linklater...

June 13, 2009 Full Review Source: ColeSmithey.com

| Comment

Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

It's another case of independent film artists beating Hollywood at its own game.

August 18, 2007 Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com

| Comment

Rob Gonsalves

eFilmCritic.com

As Dewey Finn, Mr. Black gets to capitalize on everything he does best -- basically being Jack Black. And loudly.

July 14, 2007 Full Review Source: Big Picture Big Sound

| Comment

Joe Lozito

Big Picture Big Sound

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

June 24, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out

| Comment

Derek Adams

Time Out

The best comedy to come around in years.

July 5, 2005 Full Review Source: Bullz-Eye.com

| Comment

Jason Zingale

Bullz-Eye.com

One of the best comedies in years...the film never sells out to itself.

June 26, 2005 Full Review Source: FromTheBalcony

| Comment

Bill Clark

FromTheBalcony Source: FromTheBalcony

Despite Black's reputation as a comedy anarchist, the movie has a big heart, avoids crude indulgence, and gives viewers of all ages something to enjoy.

January 15, 2005 Comment

Jeffrey Overstreet

Christianity Today Source: Christianity Today

Good cast, good acting, good script, ridiculous premise, good music (if you like rock) equals entertaining movie.

October 7, 2004 Full Review Source: tonymedley.com

| Comment

Tony Medley

tonymedley.com Source: tonymedley.com

It's funny, it's heartfelt, and it just rocks!

August 13, 2004 Full Review Source: Oregon Herald

| Comments (2)

Mark Sells

Oregon Herald Source: Oregon Herald

It's one of those films that'll require you to be in a good mood to enjoy, but if you are - you definitely will.

July 20, 2004 Full Review Source: FilmFocus

| Comment

Joe Utichi

FilmFocus

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

May 14, 2004 Full Review Source: Empire Magazine

| Comment

Chris Hewitt (UK)

Empire Magazine

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for School of Rock

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The whole movie is a bit of a cliche and not too funny, but can get entertaining at times. Breaking the fourth wall at the end of the movie doesn't help either.

April 24, 2011

Sanjay Rema

Super Reviewer

If you like Jack Black then you'll like this film.

March 25, 2007

Lady D'arbanville

Super Reviewer

School of Rock Quotes

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1. Patty: Wow!
– Submitted by Tony A (8 hours ago)
1. Dewey Finn: God of Rock, thank you for this chance to kick ass.
– Submitted by Christy T (4 months ago)
1. Principal Rosalie Mullins: [in an inappropriate tone of voice] Excuse me, I've just been informed that all of your children are missing!
– Submitted by Diego T (4 months ago)
1. Dewey Finn: Math is a wonderful thing. Math is a really cool thing. So get off your ath, let's do some math. Math, math, math, math, math.
– Submitted by Olivia A (4 months ago)
1. Dewey Finn: If you can't teach, you teach P.E.
– Submitted by Jamie S (5 months ago)

Character	Quote
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Latest News for School of Rock

August 5, 2009:

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"School of Rock" writer Mike White has sold Columbia Pictures his script for "Babe in the Woods," an...

September 8, 2008:

Linklater Says "Not So Fast" to School of Rock 2
According to Richard Linklater, Paramount may have jumped the gun when they announced that "School...

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