'ROCK': STAR AND PREMISE HARMONIZE.

Byline: Glenn Whipp Film Critic

'SCHOOL OF ROCK'' is the crowd-pleaser of the year, a movie that takes a pretty thin story idea - failed guitar god teaches cute kids how to get their ya-yas out - and turns it into an inspired, invigorating comedy that will have you laughing from its opening moments to its closing credits. To paraphrase the immortal words of AC/DC: To those who gave us ``Rock,'' we salute you.

Those creators would include star Jack Black, director Richard Linklater and screenwriter Mike White, a trio whose sensibilities are so perfectly in sync that if they were going to hand out an Oscar for putting together the year's funniest film (as opposed to the ponderous choices the academy typically makes), producer Scott Rudin would be making room on his mantle come next spring.

As it is, the makers of ``School of Rock'' will simply have to content themselves with the smiles of a lot of satisfied customers. The movie takes the ripe conventions of its genre - flawed teacher inspires kids, many of whom have self-esteem issues - and smartly turns them inside out. When the manic Black tells nonbelievers ``I serve society by rocking,'' it is both a manifesto and a challenge to all those within earshot to throw down their hang-ups and get the Led out.

Dewey Finn (Black) fashions himself as the next Jimmy Page, playing 20-minute guitar solos and cavorting around the stage like an over-caffeinated Pillsbury Doughboy. Dewey has the moves, but he isn't feeling the love. Nobody catches him when he dives off the stage and his band fires him for being a showboat. Desperate for cash, he impersonates his mild-mannered roommate (screenwriter White, a talented actor in his own right) and takes a job at a prestigious, private elementary school.

Initially, Dewey just wants the kids to leave him alone. He's got a hangover, after all. Upon hearing that the school has a band, Dewey sees an opportunity to put himself back in the spotlight with a pint-size replacement group. At least, that's his initial plan. But as he teaches his charges about the glories of ``sticking it to the Man'' and the beauty of three-chord rock, a funny thing happens: Dewey grows up ... well, a little bit, at least.

Black is a bona fide rocker himself and it shows both in the veracity of his playing and the authentic anarchy he brings to his role. He'll probably never see a better part than this, tailor-made as it is to his winning blend of bluster and expert physical comedy. Hopefully, though, somebody will give him another shot at glory. Black is the kind of talented star you want to succeed.

White's sharp script and Linklater's expert direction perfectly balance their lead's tireless energy with the kids' toothsome charm. Joan Cusack deserves mention, too, playing the school's strict principal, a woman pressured by expectations to be a stickler when she'd rather be dancing to Stevie Nicks. Like every other sympathetic adult in the movie, she may have aged, but in her heart, she's still at the edge of 17.

SCHOOL OF ROCK - Three and one half stars

(PG-13: rude humor and drug references)

Starring: Jack Black, Joan Cusack, Mike White.

Director: Richard Linklater.

Running time: 1 hr. 50 min.

Playing: Wide release.

In a nutshell: Cute kids. But not too cute. Old plot. But perfectly updated. And Jack Black arrives as a bona fide comic superstar.