21 Jump Street (2012)

Directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller

Starring Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill and Ice Cube

 

 

A couple of underachieving cops are sent undercover at a high school to find out about and stop a new drug craze that has already killed one student.

This is one of those films that use to be a TV show, that starred Johnny Depp, and has been converted into a film for the present day audience like The A-Team and Starsky and Hutch. The film shows how culture has changed over the generations and not only is there even more diversity in high school, thanks Glee, but also how the geeks are now cool within social groups and the jocks are finding it harder to be liked.

Channing Tatum is one of those actors that I have never really enjoyed watching and think he looks a little bit funny. However having him with Jonah Hill actually makes him bearable to watch and even like. The film has some pretty funny moments and keeps you entertained throughout especially with the car chases and explosions. The film itself isn’t supposed to be taken too seriously as at times they play on the fact that it used to be a TV show and that’s what makes the film good fun to watch. The scenes where it explains what the drugs do to you are brilliant and add this extra dimension to a straight forward film.

 

Recommend

Jonah Hill is one of those actors that add humour and fun to any film, see Moneyball. His partnership with Tatum comes off really natural and the action scenes and humour are there throughout the film.  The fact that the film takes the piss out of itself makes this very enjoyable and I would recommend this film to anyone who wants to sit down and watch a good comedy.

TheFriedGold rating – 7/10 – Time to revisit high school

 

 

Film Fact

In one scene the bad guys are actually watching the TV series 21 Jump Street on TV.