by MARK SLUTSKY

Before he became an unlikely movie star via his scene-stealing roles in films like High Fidelity, Jack Black had made his mark on the comedy scene with his band Tenacious D. Fronted by Black and his buddy Kyle Gass, “the D,” as they’re known to fans, gained a following through their acoustic, proudly pompous, metal-worshipping, profanity-laden songs, which they performed in shorts for HBO and in various other appearances.

They’ve got a funny shtick, anchored in the juxtaposition of Black’s impassioned, theatrical voice and preposterous lyrics, with Gass’s furious playing. Tenacious D: In the Pick of Destiny, directed by longtime collaborator Liam Lynch, attempts to capitalize on their charms in feature-film form. A music-infused fictional biopic of the band, Pick of Destiny picks up with the young “J.B.” leaving his rock-hating childhood home (after what is probably the movie’s highlight, a musical number about the joys and evils of rock ’n’ roll performed by Black, Meat Loaf and Ronnie James Dio) and hoofs it to Hollywood, where he meets up with the enigmatic “K.G.,” who trains him in the ways of music.

Struggling to pay their rent, the two hope to win an open-mic contest, and realize they can up their chances by recovering the titular guitar pick, an artifact fashioned from Satan’s tooth and wielded by some of rock’s greatest, from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Along their way: musical numbers, lots of celeb cameos and even more entertaining swearing.

There are definitely a few laugh-out-loud moments, but honestly, a little of this stuff goes a long way. Black is a spirited and very funny performer, and Gass is game, but Tenacious D is a joke that’s better in small doses, like music videos and shorts.

To tell the truth, Black did a very similar routine much better in Richard Linklater’s School of Rock, where he played a music-obsessed teacher. True, that film featured far fewer dick and fart jokes (not to knock ’em—they make up some of Pick of Destiny’s better material), but it was a lot stronger as a movie with a story and characters you actually cared about a bit. The Tenacious D flick is probably best enjoyed stoned on the couch, where you can pass out before you get bored.

Tenacious D: In the Pick of Destiny opens this Friday, Nov. 24

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