MOVIE REVIEW ... 21 JUMP STREET

 

In the late 80’s, ’21 Jump Street’ was one of the hottest shows on TV.  Filled with twenty-something actors attempting to look like teenagers, it became famous for launching Johnny Depp’s career.  The street-smart character he played was the best aspect of an otherwise routine cop show.  This movie version takes the rather absurd premise to another level while giving some nods to long-time fans.  It may not be high art but it conjures some sense of fun to keep it moving.

Formerly school friends and now rookie cops Greg (Channing Tatum) and Morton (Jonah Hill) quickly tire of their humdrum duties.  Their days on the beat become numbered when they are transferred to 21 Jump Street – a police program using young recruits.  Assigned to infiltrate a high school drug ring by Captain Dickson (Ice Cube), they prepare for action.  What they think will be an easy task becomes difficult when the changes to school-life since their day rival any other dangers they face.

’21 Jump Street’ curiously attempts to stick to the premise of its forebear whilst slavishly mocking it.  This doesn’t work particularly well due to its insistence on relying on tired bodily function gags and charmless humour.  American movies can be witty if the right talent is involved although it seems creative comedy by-passed this production.  Whilst Hill and Tatum show some great comedic timing they seem wasted in a fairly pedestrian film.

Perhaps the tone of the story is the problem as ludicrous situations defy credibility.  This ensures the overly long movie runs out of steam before a predictable finale.  A more dramatic approach like the original series may have been better although there are a few moments of genuine mirth to be found.  Generally there is a tired feel to proceedings with the usual school-yard antics adding little.

Fans of this type of comedy may enjoy it but others probably won’t.  There are some elements of the original ’21 Jump Street’, although this is a mostly its own creation leaving one to ponder why it used the TV series’ name in the first place.

 

Movie Review Rating  4 / 10

Movie Review by Patrick Moore

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