21 Jump Street
Fresh out of the police academy two new grads are sent to work in a special undercover unit designed to fight crime in high schools; officer Jenko (Channing Tatum) is the brawn while officer Schmidt (Jonah Hill) is the brains behind the duo. But, It’s been years since high school and times have changed. Now along with the challenge of trying to fit in, the two are also tasked with finding and stopping the supplier of a new designer drug known as H.F.S.. Meanwhile, as the struggle to be “in” with the cool kids becomes a big deal again a new rift between Jenko and Schmidt grows. Will the two be able to make it through high school again without destroying each other, what about prom, and who’s really behind the manufacturing of H.F.S.?
Turning the traditional good cop bad cop/buddy cop genre on it’s ear I can’t think of better actors for the job than Tatum and Hill. Both products of the new breed of comedy that’s risen in the last few years the two are more than adept at poking fun at the very stereotypes they might have been typecast to represent even just 10 years ago. But on that note, the comedic hits didn’t come as fast as I would have liked providing for only a few laugh out loud moments. Of course there are plenty references to the original TV series if you keep your eyes open, but I think the main selling point overall is the cameo provided by none other than Johnny Depp (who goes uncredited mind you). Not bad entertainment, you could do worse, I’d say maybe worth a matinee
or a rental. 21 Jump Street is rated R.