21 JUMP STREET (2012)

Directed By: Phil Lord & Chris Miller
Written By: Michael Bacall
Story By: Jonah Hill & Michael Bacall
Cinematography By: Barry Peterson
Editor: Joel Negron

Cast: Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill, Alison Brie, Ice Cube, Dave Franco, Chris Parnell, Rob Riggle, Deray Davis, Dakota Johnson, Rye Rye, Caroline Aaron, Ellie Kemper, Jake M. Johnson


In high school, Schmidt (Jonah Hil) was a dork and Jenko (Channing Tatum) was the popular jock. After graduation, both of them joined the police force and ended up as partners riding bicycles in the city park. Since they are young and look like high school students, they are assigned to an undercover unit to infiltrate a drug ring that is supplying high school students synthetic drugs

First and foremost this is one of the few films that I actually ventured to go see on opening day. Which I haven’t done in years. That is how badly I wanted to see the film.

Like SCREAM it not only makes fun and spoofs the conventions of the genre of tv show remakes and buddy films, While soon falling into them and being good at it. Just like SUPERBAD not only does this spoof teens and teenage films. It has moments of emotional truth and kind of being a bromance.

It’s not artistic, but it is a really entertaining popcorn film. Quick cuts that doesn’t make it seem like you have A.D.D.

Channing Tatum is the real surprise in this film. He comes across with charisma and expert comic timing. It’s hard to believe he Turned the film down numerous times until Jonah hill personally reached out and convinced him to take the role. He hasn’t been this interesting as an actor since A GUIDE TO RECOGNIZING YOUR SAINTS. They both executive produce the film. I have to admit when Channing Tatum was first announced to star I thought the film was doomed. But he is one of the elements that makes the film a winner.

Jonah hill plays his usual type character but brings the laughs and makes it feel new and different each time. He has a way of making moments awkward and true yet bring it around to being funny and always make it feel improvised.

Even if you never watched the show. It’s enjoyable, but if you remember and/or like the show. The film is just incredible.

The action scenes are simple yet exciting that make them seem realistic until they get a bit ridiculous and abused.

The cameos are great and bring the movie full circle.

The film shows the generation gap even though it has only been 7 years and manages of course to include pop-culture references. It truly is a different landscape. The film does still rely on the old television cliché of mixed up identities leading up to half the hilarity. How now what was uncool. Now is cool which a character even comments on.

Dave Franco, James’ Brother finally steps out of his shadow to create a memorable character and handles the role well.

Alison Brie who I am a huge fan of from SCOTT PILGRIM Vs. THE WORLD among other films. Which I will admit at times I have watched only because she was in them. Is here as charming as ever in a role originally offered to Emma Stone who couldn’t take the role due to scheduling with another film. It would have been a nice reunion for her and jonah,but the role doesn’t leave her with much to do. Its nice a experienced newcomer got the chance to play it.

Some things feel like pure comedic inspiration like the characters having to live with his parents makes no sense.

Ice Cube as the angry black captain even comments on his own situation. The Rapper who called himself the N*gga you love to hate and used to be anti cop. Now playing one here is ironic and in a good way.

Jonah hill originally offered the directing gig to Rob Zombie.

The film makes fun of all the aspects that the original series held so dear or dealt with as special issues.

When the show first premiered I hated it thinking it was a beefcake show of hunks that wasn’t worth my time. My mom liked the show and would always watch it. Then in it’s second season there was nothing else on and I decided to watch it and thought it was actually quite decent and stayed a life-long fan. I even watched and enjoyed the spinoff BOOKER. I even watched it until it’s end in syndication long after
Johnny Depp left the show. When only the Captain was the really long lasting cast member. The show also introduced me to Johnny Depp. Who I am still a huge fan of and can admit a Man Crush on.

SPOILER

The film unfortunately not only has a cameo by Johnny Depp and Peter Deluise as their characters from the original, But also the death of there characters which really hurt and for the rest of my life I will always see DeRay Davis as the man who killed my favorite TV Cop characters. I can see that as the main reason why Johnny Depp took the role. As he acknowledges it helped start his career but during his last seasons he hated being on the show. But respected Steven J. Cannell to finish off his contract. Holly Robinson Peete also cameos her character gets to live. At least the characters die giving more meaning to the theme of the film, But still a sad way to go. I would have rather them just go on in my imagination.
I could honestly recognize Johnny Depp as his character immediately though he isn’t really reveled until the end. It’s the cadence of his voice.

END SPOILER

GRADE: B+