Scene Standoff: School of Rock vs. Back to the Future
The moment where Dewey Finn first gets his students rocking in 'School of Rock' vs. Marty McFly's lead performance of Johnny B. Goode in 'Back to the Future.
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Dewey Finn teaches music - School of Rock
When Dewey (Jack Black) spots his new students in their music class, his eyes turn to dollar signs and he decides to teach them rock 'n' roll. Each member of the class has a different part to play, and Jack Black unleashes his knowledge in comedy style in arguably his most iconic and very best performance to date.
- Gareth's scene
Johnny B. Goode - Back to the Future
When Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) aims to prevent his removal from existence, he sees an opportunity to play with the house band for the Enchantment under the sea dance. His choice of song: Chuck Berry's Johnny B. Goode.
- Ellis' scene
Ellis - italics
Gareth - bold
PERFORMANCE
Jack Black's best performance is in this film, and the kids in this are so good too.
I think it's performance where these two scenes are similar because it's both Marty McFly and Dewey Finn showboating.
Yeah definitely.
I'm pretty sure it's Huey Lewis singing Johnny B. Goode in this scene. However the dubbing isn't great, you can tell it's not Michael J. Fox singing.
SCHOOL OF ROCK - 10/10 BACK TO THE FUTURE - 9/10
NECESSITY
Well he's got to discover them at some point in School of Rock.
And if Marty McFly doesn't stand on the stage and play the guitar, then the dance finishes quicker and his mum and dad may not get together.
Maybe they're at a similar score then.
SCHOOL OF ROCK - 9/10 BACK TO THE FUTURE - 9/10
REFERENCABILITY
Back to the Future you've got "Maybe you guys aren't ready for that yet...but your kids are gonna love it." Or whatever the quote is.
Yep!
It escalated Johnny B. Goode as a song in 80's culture. Apart from those though you can't reference it that much. That song is now associated with the film though which counts as a reference I guess.
School of Rock isn't that referencable. Any major quotes are in later scenes.
SCHOOL OF ROCK - 2/10 BACK TO THE FUTURE - 6/10
POPULARITY (using Letterboxd for reference)
Back to the Future has an average rating of 4.2.
3.8 for School of Rock.
Jack Black gets a lot of hate.
And in turn I think it's why School of Rock gets a bit of hate.
SCHOOL OF ROCK - 3.8 BACK TO THE FUTURE - 4.2
ICONIC RATING
On a scale of musical instruments. So a really low scorer would be a kazoo, and the most iconic would maybe be a Fender.
I'm going to go with a part of the band that is integral: the hi-hat. It works as part of a group and so does this scene.
I'm going with the rhythm guitar.
So which is a more iconic instrument?
I don't know, you tell me music man.
Well you almost always get a drummer and the drummer almost always has a hi-hat. Not all bands have a rhythm guitarist.
I think this might be equal.
Alright let's go with that; I mean Back to the Future wins either way.
SCHOOL OF ROCK - rhythm guitar BACK TO THE FUTURE - hi-hat
THE FINAL STANDOFF
School of Rock 1-2 Back to the Future
So in one of the closest battles so far it's 80's classic Back to the Future that takes the win. So many scenes could have been chosen from this film: the parking lot scene where Marty first time travels; the diner scene; even the conclusion of the film where Marty does go "back to the future" outside the clocktower.
The costume, music, quotes, portrayals, hairstyles, e.t.c are all iconic, but this scene epitomises it all and in turn this film epitomises the 80's in all it's glory.
It's no surprise that this film was victorious here, as it was also voted the number one 80's film on the podcast talkabout with Ellis & Gwilym which is available now wherever you stream your pods. It's episode 11 and is titled 'Acceptable in the 80's.
Current Standings: G - 5 E - 9
NEXT BATTLE:
THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION VS. RESERVOIR DOGS
Back to the Future available now on NowTV and Sky Cinema