Odds are, if you are an American that went to school in our public school system, you’ve been exposed to the time-wasting traditions of “Schoolhouse Rock!” That’s not to say that “Schoolhouse Rock!” is a bad product, as it’s actually pretty incredible and worthy of anyone’s time. But, it was also used by teachers in public school that just wanted to have some quiet time at their desk while an animated series taught their students the ins and outs of math, science, and of course, government.
Well, there was a time when filmmaker Adam McKay was going to use a “Schoolhouse Rock!”-style musical number in his latest film “Vice,” but ultimately the scene was cut. But we live in an age of Blu-rays and digital releases, which means film fans get special features. And thankfully, McKay and Co. put that entire musical sequence on the home release of “Vice,” and now, we can share in the joy of the filmmaker’s live-action take on what would be the most devious political lesson “Schoolhouse Rock!” ever taught.
The scene features Donald Rumsfeld (Steve Carell) and Dick Cheney (Christian Bale) discussing the ways in which you can rise through the political ranks in Washington, DC. The discussion is actually fairly dry, as the information is technical and obviously, very political. That’s where Brittany Howard, of Alabama Shakes fame, comes in. As the duo discuss the ways in which you can be the best politician, Howard and her bevy of dancers sing a song that puts it all in an easily digestible melody.
It’s weird, even for a film like “Vice.” And it probably would have either confused audiences or made them elated. McKay probably did the right thing by cutting it, even though he lamented the decision as the sequence he described as “breathtaking” and “incredible.” That being said, it’s well worth a watch, if only to hear Howard sing about political maneuvering, which she makes sound really fucking cool.
“Vice” hits Blu-ray and DVD on April 2 and digital tomorrow.