Cinema Review - 21 Jump Street

There have been plenty of occasions where TV shows have taken the jump to the big screen, and for the majority, they have been adapted to provide comedy value. 21 Jump Street is yet another in that series. This time around, we take a Johnny Depp-starring show from the late 80s / early 90s and place Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill in the lead roles.


Morton Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Greg Jenko (Channing Tatum) never got on a school. Morton was the stereotypical geeky kid whilst Greg was the all-star, all popular jock who could do no wrong. Years later they meet again, this time in the police force. Striking an unlikely friendship in the training process, the two soon become partners on the beat, albeit patrolling parks on their less-than-exciting bicycles.


After busting some drug dealers but failing to read them their Miranda rights, the pair are sent to 21 Jump Street to take part in an undercover case in which they must pose as students in order to infiltrate a drug ring going on within the pupils. Heading back to school soon brings up some old memories for both but things don't quite pan out as they expect, where the expression 'times are a'changing coming into play to the max.


As odd pair-ups go, the joining of Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum appeared as odd casting as there has been in some time. Fortunately though, appearances can be deceiving and 21 Jump Street provides us the audience with one of the most entertaining on-screen double acts to be seen for a long while. Hill provides us with his stereotypical geek with ultimate ease and Tatum, not known particularly for his comic acting, steals the show as the popular high school figure grown to be as non-intelligent as would be expected. 


Include into the proceedings Ice Cube revelling in playing an overly-stressed and unflinching Captain Dickson, a hilarious turn from Rob Riggle's gym teacher and some other masterfully placed roles (most notably a cameo from the legendary Johnny Depp, who incidentally starred in the TV show of the same name), and 21 Jump Street ticks all the boxes for characters who are both memorable and enticing. 


Riddled with crass language, stereotypes galore and finger pointing at every possible moment, 21 Jump Street is hardly politically correct but this is what makes it so fun. Its boldness is astounding and even goes to the lengths of even poking fun out of itself, something few films are brave enough to do these days. Putting together a great double team and some superb supporting roles, it's quite simple to say that 21 Jump Street is one of the funniest films to grace the screen in recent months. Laugh-out loud glory. 


Film rating: 4 out of 5 F's