Black rocks in teen caper

The School of Rock stars the slightly nuts Jack Black as Dewey Finn, a loser with one saving grace - his love of music.

Despite just being kicked out of his band for his over-the-top behaviour, he refuses to give up on his dream of making a living from music.

In the meantime he’s got to make a buck or two so he takes a job as a substitute teacher. He’s completely unsuitable for the job and he spends his days taking naps and letting the kids run riot.

Then he discovers their many musical talents and sets about moulding the most unlikely rock band in history. With their help, he hopes to win the Battle of the Bands and a really big cheque.

This role is tailor-made for Jack Black. It’s hard to tell where he ends and where Dewey Finn begins. He may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but the guy really can rock.

School of Rock is one big excuse for Jack Black to do his thing, everyone else is just filling in the blanks.

Joan Cusack does a good job of playing the tight-ass school principal. She even manages to bring some sex appeal to a very unsexy role.

The motley crew of child musicians prove to be very ample fillers for the Black mayhem. None of them stand out as being particularly good or bad, and I’m sure that’s just the way it was intended.

It does exactly what it says on the tin, it just won’t live long enough in the memory to apply the second coat.

Comedy. 15. 3/5