21 Jump Street (2012)

DIRECTOR: Phil Lord and Christ Miller
STUDIO: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
STARRING: Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill, Ice Cube
RATING: R
GENRE:  Comedy, Action

GRADE: B


When I first heard about this movie, I was worried about how it would change or reflect the old "21 Jump Street" television show, with Johnny Depp. Especially once I saw that Channing Tatum was hired, and I have never been a fan of his acting.

The film has two police officers, one a cautious one (Hill) and the other stupid and reckless (Tatum). After failing at patrolling on a daily basis, they are sent to a division of undercover cops called 21 Jump Street. They are sent back to high school, while trying to bust a drug ring that is circling the school system.

While a few jokes fall flat, most anything that is meant to be humorous works very well! This movie defines what is the common humor today, but it does it without any gross-out jokes or overdoing the vulgarity. I believe this can go back to good writing and directing.

Also, with both directors, you would think the movie would be imbalanced or inconsistent, but two may have actually been better than one. I actually liked Tatum, and I can only attribute it to the director, not his progression in acting. (any other movie with him past this still is not as good)

Very funny movie, and while the jokes are not very clever, they can make most anyone laugh. Definite "B."