This is understandable considering they’re so similar on the surface. Both feature funny, overweight, and highly animated characters who have good hearts and mean well but frequently get themselves into trouble. And both characters achieve their goals in some silly and comic but ultimately tender sort of way. They sound similar, but they’re not. The School of Rock has all the humor of a Chris Farley comedy – and a whole lot more.

The whole lot more starts with Jack Black, who plays the main character of Dewey Finn and is even funnier than Farley ever was. Ok, well, at least his spastic humor is more nuanced and appeals to a slightly more intelligent audience than Farley’s did. More significant is the character he plays who, though bumbling and unemployed, is by no means stupid or incompetent.

In The School of Rock, Dewey is a singer and guitarist looking to change the world with his music but failing to pay the rent. So when he gets the chance to pretend he is his roommate Ned (Mike White) in order to get a job as a substitute teacher, he takes it. Dewey now has a few weeks at a private elementary school, but doesn’t know what to teach the kids.

Eventually, he decides to teach them the one thing he knows – Rock and Roll. Behind the backs of the kids’ parents and the school principle (Joan Cusack), Dewey forms a rock band with these kids and prepares to play in the Battle of the Bands.

With a playful but sincere desire to help the kids with their various problems, Dewey’s teaching approach is reminiscent of Billy Madison’s spilling water on himself so that the kids wouldn’t make fun of a boy who wet his pants. Fun and lighthearted, Dewey addresses difficulties that the kids have in a positive and caring way.

Even more importantly, The School of Rock never tries to make itself look important and brings in light tones whenever it’s reaching that kind of level. And yet, there are some seriously positive undertones in Dewey and the kids’ care for each other.

I could probably give an accurate summary of my response to The School of Rock by saying, “I know, it’s only Rock and Roll, but I like it.” Though light and fluffy, there’s something absolutely sweet about it. By no means does it reach the level of rock film greatness the likes of Almost Famous, but it certainly rocks nonetheless.

I’m also impressed with the way Rock is treated throughout the film. It’s taken seriously by people who obviously know what they’re talking about. Its individuality-seeking aspirations are also taken seriously without embracing the sex, drugs, and violence that so often come with it. This is Rock in its most pure state.

With Zeppelin and The Who in the background and a comical Jack Black in the front, The School of Rock is one class that’s seriously funny, seriously uplifting, and seriously rocks.

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