21 Jump Street
Directors: Phil Lord & Chris Miller
By Alex Watson
The original television series of 21 Jump Street, which starred a young Johnny Depp, was a massive hit in the USA from 1987 to 1991. The show followed the exploits of young police officer Tom Hanson who was seconded to a specialist police unit who focused on undercover work in high schools. The show was highly praised by critics for its smart approach to a variety of issues such as AIDS, hate crimes and drug use. It also made a teen idol of Johnny Depp and kick started his career. But in the UK, for many it remains unknown. So now the new update hits our screens, but with some many high school films coming and going at the box office, how will this new version stand out from the crowd?
The modified story sees former high school class mates, Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Jenko (Channing Tatum) who used to social opposites back in the old days. Schmidt was the class nerd, while Jenko was the popular jock. After making a major error when arresting their first suspect, the two are transferred to a re-established unit operating out of 21 Jump Street. Upon arriving they are told by their Captain (Ice Cube) that they will be going undercover in high school to infiltrate a drug ring. But upon their arrival back in their old world, they find school has become a different place from before!
21 Jump Street is one of the most original and funny high school films to come out in recent years. What makes it stand out is a zany quality it has surrounding it. Jonah Hill and Michael Bacall who co-wrote the script provide a variety of laughs, in particular a hilarious sequence when Schmidt and Jenko are forced to take drugs to prove ‘they’re real’ as they go through the different stages we see them undertake a variety of cringing moments.
The real quality of this film is that it stays away from the usual cliques of high school films, in this one the popular kids are smart ones (Dave Franco and Brie Larson) who are concerned about their future and see caring about the environment as a cool thing. The science geeks are as usual under-appreciated but they are by no means the target of bullying. Before we have seen the standard view of high school were jocks and cheerleader reign supreme, it is to Hill and Bacall’s credit that they take this story in a new direction.
In some places however, the film does come slightly off the rails. Although the laughs are there by the bucket load, the story as a result beings to drift as a result. Directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller at points seem confused about where they are taking the action. But it is in these moments of un-certainty that the film finds some of its biggest laughs, it is credit to the handling by Lord and Miller for pulling the film together when most needed!
Jonah Hill is on safe ground in 21 Jump Street as Schmidt- as a former nerd in his old life, we see the relish on Hill’s face as he is given a second chance at becoming popular. But when he takes it with both hands, it threatens to derail the whole operation! In films such as Superbad and Knocked Up, we have seen his ability to drive the comic moments of a film and in this he doesn’t disappoint. But out of the two leads, Channing Tatum stands out, he gives the movie its heart as the dumb jock who beings to realize that he is better than the facade he has been putting on. Tatum has been promising a lot since his early screen appearances, but in 21 Jump Street he proves to be a skilled comedian and this role he charms us on screen. It will be interesting to see how his career develops from here. There is also a hilarious, scene stealing role from rapper Ice Cube as the cynical and foul mouthed Captain. From the moment he comes on screen, the audience will be howling with laughter as he addresses the newbies with,
“You are here because you some Justin Beaver, Miley Cirus lookin’ muthas.”
At long last we have a high school film that doesn’t follow the same lines as its predecessors. We are given a world where knowledge is power and being different isn’t a crime. Tatum and Hill make a great, albeit unlikely comic pairing and I am counting the days until the new sequel is released! For one of the most off the wall and side splitting comedies of the year- get yourself down to your local multiplex now!
Closer to the Edge 