From Dazed and Confused to Boyhood, Richard Linklater has made some incredible movies. While 2003’s School of Rock might not aim as highly, the family comedy has universal appeal and is fun from start to finish, thanks to a charismatic performance by Jack Black. To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Paramount Home Entertainment has put out a limited edition SteelBook that is an easy recommendation for fans.
“Jack Black stars as a hell-raising guitarist with delusions of grandeur,” reads the synopsis. “Kicked out of his band and desperate for work, he impersonates a substitute teacher and turns a class of fifth grade high-achievers into high-voltage rock and rollers. Joan Cusack portrays the principal of the private school where Black is prepping the kids for a Battle of the Bands”
In the two decades since the release of School of Rock, we’ve seen a Broadway musical and a television show air on Nickelodeon. The longevity is impressive, and it’s pretty easy to see why when rewatching the movie. There’s a lot of heart at the core, as Black’s Dewey Finn truly begins to care for his misfit band of private school students, who all bond over learning how to play classic rock. It’s just a good time, and even though I’ve seen the movie several times, I found myself smiling the entire watch.
None of the special features here are new and are comparable to previous releases, but there are a number of worthwhile ones. The best special feature is the commentary track featuring Black and Linklater, who work together well as Linklater gives some great insight into the production, and Black is as entertaining as ever. There’s also a commentary track from the kids, a few featurettes, the School of Rock music video, and even the video that Black sent to Led Zeppelin to get the OK to use “Immigrant Song” in the movie.
As for the SteelBook, it’s a nice red and black design with the front featuring Black rocking out with the children in the background. The back cover features the School of Rock emblem that looks great, while the inside features an image of Dewey Finn teaching the different types of rock music, from psychedelic rock to heavy metal. It’s a really nice package, although I wish the disc had a design.
School of Rock Blu-ray SteelBook Review: Final Verdict
The School of Rock Blu-ray SteelBook is a fun way to celebrate the film’s 20th anniversary. The Jack Black-led comedy has aged gracefully and is just as fun to revisit or watch for the first time as it was in 2003. It also shows off Linklater’s impressive range, as he can do family comedies with the best of them as well as his more serious works. If you want to own the film on Blu-ray (it also comes with a digital copy), then this is recommended.
Disclosure: The publisher provided ComingSoon with the product for our School of Rock Blu-ray SteelBook review.
