2012 saw the unlikely unison of two actors, Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill, whose bromance blossomed in the undeniably funny and incredibly self-deprecating film, 21 Jump Street. Based off the television series of the same name (you know, the one starring Johnny Depp!) and with Lord and Miller at the helm of the production, 21 Jump Street raised the bar for action comedies, packing plenty of punch in an affectionate, self-mocking manner. With the release of the sequel, 22 Jump Street, recently we have enjoyed copious amounts of the original, going back to the place it started.
The transition from television to film can often be a rocky one, with many productions just not managing to carry off the same level of charm that the small screen can encapsulate. In an effort to produce successful blockbuster films, it seems that the film industry is looking back to past television programs to adapt for the big screen, and with this comes an incredible amount of risk. In an age of revivals, reboots and adaptations, the main problem with these ventures is that some of them just simply don’t work and can end up offending fans of the originals with their half-hearted attempt at big screen success. Fortunately, this is not the case in the matter of 21 Jump Street.
Starring as Officer Morton Schmidt in this riveting cinematic ride is funny-man Jonah Hill, who portrays an intentionally stereotypical ‘nerd’ whose obsession with Eminem and chemistry rivals none other. Filling the role of the intentionally stereotypical ‘jock’ is Channing Tatum, whose character loves nothing more than sports and girls and is a little slow-witted. Former rivals in high school, the two unite together in their police training as each needs help from the other to pass the training courses. Fresh out of the academy and in uniform, and after a brief encounter with drug dealers (who mostly escape), the two are quickly reassigned to an old chapel on 21 Jump Street, where they are to go undercover at a local high school. Their mission is simple: find the suppliers and dealers of a new dangerous drug, H.F.S, and stop those responsible, whilst blending in with the local students. Portraying the tough-talking Captain Dickson is none other than Ice Cube, who is so hilarious and purposely offensive that you can’t help but genuinely laugh.
Hill and Tatum make for a surprisingly dynamic duo; the two have such a electrifying on screen chemistry that you almost start to think they are actually brothers in real life. It’s true; the bromance level is set to maximum levels, as the two cause chaos pretty much wherever they go. From bizarre drug hallucinations to wild parties and a hilarious car-chase scene, 21 Jump Street can’t be accused of not being funny. Possibly one of the greatest things about the film is that it clearly doesn’t take itself seriously. Where this meant to be a hard-hitting drama then it would be an entirely different story, but its own self-mocking nature makes you realise that this is a far more witty film than you may have first anticipated. Whereas some films can only claim to be ‘funny’, opting for the cheap gags and minor thrills, 21 Jump Street manages to achieve genuine laughs for more than its just slapstick humour.
If all this wasn’t enough for you to enjoy, then you can also look forward to a cameo of the original ’21 Jump Streeters’ as older Johnny Depp and Peter DeLuise make an appearance as their original characters, Tom Hanson and Doug Penhall. Full of in-jokes, an abundance of satire, and a few touching moments to boot, 21 Jump Street makes sure it will make a mark on its audience long after they have left the cinema.
With the sequel to look forward to (which will hopefully prove just as funny and be as cleverly written as the original) the Jump Street series looks unstoppable, and rightly so. 21 Jump Street brought us something that is desperately needed in the latest Hollywood domination – a comedy which is genuinely funny.
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