21 Jump Street (2012)

21 Jump Street is based on the old TV Show starring Johnny Depp, where a young police officer is made to go under cover at a high school to infiltrate criminal activity there and catch the bad guy. I have never seen the show, nor did I ever really have any intention to. Also, after the mess that was the Miami Vice film (all style, no substance) I didn't really fancy another film based on an 80s TV show. However, 21 jump street had a few things going for it. To begin with, besides the premise, they've changed everything, and whilst that may upset purists (does 21 Jump Street have any purists?), to someone like me, who had no interest in the original series, this is a blessing. Instead, what we have is a comedy about friendship, growing old, fitting in and whether school really was how you remember it. The film also has Jonah Hill, someone who I will normally give a chance to, though I'm not sure why, because he's been in some clunkers, but he's normally pretty likeable, so what the heck.

Okay, so the film is funny, very funny, but it won't be for everyone. Just as the cops are going back to school, so do many of the jokes, with the film relying less on wit, and more on immensely silly events and things. Personally I am not a snob when it comes to comedy, and if something is pulled off well, then I am pretty much open to anything, and in my opinion 21 Jump Street pulls silliness off very well indeed. The real revelation here isn't Jonah Hill though, it is actually Channing Tatum, who has now impressed me in two films in as many months, so hey, maybe I was wrong about him. Either way, he's funny, plays the simpleton very well and the outsider even better. He really helps the film stay in place.

Aesthetically the film kinda feels like the 80s again, but I think that has more to do with the fact that for some god awful reason the 80s are back in fashion, so we have the horrible white suits you see above, vintage cars, and Ice Cube. Ice Cube is another great thing about this film. Playing a self confessed Angry Black Cop, he provides a lot of laughs, whilst remaining the straight one in any scene. The film is very knowing of its heritage, referencing the fact that adapting an old TV show probably isn't the most original of ideas. It is also very knowing in general, with numerous comments made about the fact that the two of them simply don't look like real High School kids... because they're like 10 years older than everyone else. But the jokes work and never feel too self knowing or referential.

Overall you have to know what you want from this film. If you want a serious, or witty film then stay away. But if you simply want a good time film, something to put on with your friends, something that will make you laugh like a little child, then this is the film for you. Cock jokes and all.