Review of 21 Jump Street (2012) by Mike

Title: 21 Jump Street (2012)

Original UK Release Date: 16^th March 2012

Original US Release Date: 16^th March 2012

UK Rating: 15

US Rating: R

Directors: Phil Lord & Chris Miller

Genre: Action/Comedy

Plot: Two rookie cops are sent undercover to a high school to bring down a drug ring.

Mike's Review

I have never seen the original series this film was based on so I had no preconceptions about watching this film. I saw the trailer and it looked good.

The film is about two friends who join the police force. After their first arrest goes horrible wrong, they are sent to a special task force to infiltrate a drug ring in a high school by posing as students.

This film is absolutely hilarious. I found myself laughing out loud throughout most of the film. After watching the trailer I could see it was going to be a comedy, but I never expected it to be so good.

The cast is great. Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum, Brie Larson, Ice Cube, Dave Franco, Rob Riggle, Dax Flame & Chris Parnell. Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum are great as the two leads that start out as enemies in high school but develop a strong friendship when they enrol in police academy. Hill was the high school nerd and Tatum the school bully. Their chemistry together is great. Watching them attempt to fit into a high school, where there are no bullies and the nerds and geeks are the popular group is a riot.

The film was made using the plot to the original series but here the similarity ends. If you are a fan of the series, you may not like the change to a comedy but give it a chance as the film is hilarious. Better than the Hangover and that was one of the best comedies in recent years. The film works so well as it doesn’t take itself too seriously and uses every opportunity to poke fun at itself and remakes in general. Every stereotype is portrayed and poked fun at from the angry black police captain to science lab nerds.

The film was co-written by Jonah Hill, his first major movie story. If this is what we can expect from him then I wait with anticipation for his next story. The only real down side to this film is the ending. It kind of goes on a little long and slows the pace down and the comedy isn’t as sharp as earlier points but it doesn’t spoil the overall feel of the film.

This is in no way a spoof of the series, all it takes is the general plot. It even pays homage to the series with two great cameos towards the end. I have read many reviews on this film and a lot of people were expecting a serious film. See this with no expectation and a sense of humour and you will see one of the best comedies of recent years.

9 out of 10

Additional Information

Trailer