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
Another Summer blockbuster season embarks upon us and this inevitably brings us yet another adventure from everyone's favourite fancy dress character Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp). That's right, Pirates 4 has been unleashed and there has been somewhat of an overhaul in the casting department, with the mushy Bloom and Knightley removed, replaced by ballsy Penelope Cruz and up-and-coming Brit Sam Claflin. Following the immense debacle that was the third outing, could the Pirates franchise rise from the ashes and become yet again a major force?
This time around we are on a quest with Jack Sparrow to find the elusive Fountain Of Youth. Said to give eternal to whoever drinks from it, Jack has a task on his hands as Blackbeard (Ian McShane) and his daughter (Penelope Cruz) are the ones who want to get there following Jack's capture.
Throw into the mix the Spaniards chasing for the glory and the return of a Pirates regular, leading the English, Barbossa (Jeffrey Rush). But all is not just a simple journey direct to the Fountain Of Youth to have a drink and ta-da, your are immortal, no, a tear of a mermaid is ultimately required to secure a life so long.
Cue a fantastic scene in which Blackbeard's crew, along with prisoners Sparrow and clergyman Philip (Claflin) hunt for a mermaid to capture and find themselves in somewhat predicament, the mermaids are not just beautiful, soft creatures, they are in fact violent and menacing. After an intense battle for survival, Blackbeard manages to capture a mermaid and the journey continues to the Fountain.
With a mermaid captured and Jack Sparrow leading Blackbeard to the Fountain, who will gain eternal life? Will Barbossa manage to get there before anyone, or will it be the Spaniards who prevail? You'll have to watch it to find out!
Johnny Depp's favourite character once again finds himself in all sorts of bother in this instalment and despite it being the usual routine, so to speak, it is still heavily entertaining to see Jack escaping from the grasp of the British and running riot. The age old term 'if it ain't broke don't fix it' certainly applies with the presentation of Sparrow but certainly Pirates 4 did good to refresh some of the faces. With the gushing love story out the window, to be replaced by one on the fringe of the storyline Jerry Bruckheimer and his team have clearly gone all out to ensure the franchise heads back to its roots, with more swashbuckling and sheer fun.
For its pluses though Pirates does have a few flaws. With chemistry between Depp and Cruz having always been electrifying you can't help but feel slightly hard done by, as they clearly do not get enough alone time to delve into Sparrow and Angelica's love roots. This would have helped to bring out a new side in Jack that would have been intriguing, and this instead is replaced by a mediocre villain in the form of Blackbeard. Described as the most feared pirate of all, Blackbeard is far from this, showcased from a measly one kill all film and a standard performance from a usually impressive Mcshane.
Needless to say, Pirates 4 was certainly a risk in terms of it being a franchise that seemed to be running out of steam but it looks like the life has returned and we could yet see more of Jack Sparrow in the near future. A brilliant score, some good swashbuckling fun and a lead who seems to carry the film on his own can only end in success.
Film rating: 3 out of 5 stars
The lowdown: Jack Sparrow still has that fighting spirit in him and no doubt the crowds would yet again flock to see him on his next outing following another breezy performance from Depp.
