Review: 21 Jump Street (2012)

by

15, March 2012Reviews

Cast: Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum, Ice Cube
Director: Phil Lord, Chris Miller
Country: USA
Genre: Action | Comedy
Official Trailer: Here

To put boldly, 21 Jump Street is the first great comedy of 2012. Two directors from animation backgrounds were given the task of injecting modern-day life into an beloved 80’s TV show that starred Johnny freaking Depp. Oh, and they also have to somehow make it appealing to today’s audience. That is in no way an easy task. So how is it we’re given a final film that just makes that ‘task’ look so easy?

To put boldly, 21 Jump Street is the first great comedy of 2012. Two directors from animation backgrounds were given the task of injecting modern-day life into an beloved 80’s TV show that starred Johnny freaking Depp.

The movie kicks off with Jenko (Channing Tatum) and Schmidt (Jonah Hill), two high schoolers on the opposite end of popularity spectrum meeting each other seven years later in police academy. Realizing they feed off each other’s strengths, they graduate with the preparation of being “bad ass mother fuckers”. Instead, they’re stuck patrolling parks and wearing ridiculous shorts, but it’s short-lived after they make a huge bust. However, that is also short-lived when they fail to read the criminal his Miranda rights. With that they’re shipped off to 21 Jump Street, a special crime division who’s only purpose is to stop any wrong doings happening in local high schools. They look the part (sort of) so fitting in should be a breeze, right?

The first thing that becomes apparent is the cast is filled with fun lovers, with Tatum and Hill leading the pack. Hill’s proved his comedic chops before but Tatum’s new to this game (I do NOT count The Dilemma). It’s absolutely wonderful seeing him have fun, busting skulls, delivering great one-liners (his theory on “Glee” is perfect) and even showcasing maniacal laughter. The revelation of him being a hilarious jerk is welcoming. His performance fused with Hill’s is a great formula, strong enough to carry the film throughout their bro-mance rollercoaster. The rest of them bring the laughs as well, ranging from Ice Cube’s interpretation of an angry chief all the way to Dave Franco in a star-making role as the film’s potential “villain”.

Huge props have to go to editor Joel Negron. 21 Jump Street has got to be one of the fastest yet wonderfully paced comedies to come out in a long time. What sets this apart from current others in the genre is just how quickly yet thoroughly we get the jokes. Nothing about the movie ever lingers too long or gets cut short. Imagine the tempo & tenacity of Aliens except instead of horror and action, it’s gut-busting laughs…oh, and action!

Imagine the tempo & tenacity of Aliens except instead of horror and action, it’s gut-busting laughs…oh, and action!

Directors Phil Lord & Chris Miller’s last movie, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, showed off their sharp & quick style of humor quite wonderfully. It shines even better under the live-action spotlight. The task of using real-world filmmaking doesn’t stop the pair from animating the duo like two silly cartoon characters. There are a couple of rare times where it can be a bit much, but like anything that might resemble something negative, it gets shadowed by the sheer confidence of their direction. Lord & Miller love their velocity. They love their homage to cinematic action compositions. They absolutely love their use of profanity. This is a product of their love, and it’s infectious.

Those features combined with Michael Bacall’s charged, delightfully obscene script combine to give us a relentless and hilarious ride. A ride with some genuine surprises, and I’m not just talking one hell of a cameo. Though they don’t measure with the all-time greats, the plot twists provided are refreshing.

All of these things are wonderful measures, but the most important aspect of a remake of a beloved TV show just as this: it’s just so much fun. Almost all the laughs come in every single measure of you can think of. Laugh big one minute, a hardy chuckle a split second later, and then go right back into another big one. Honestly, what more could you want from a comedy?

81/100 ~ GREAT. 21 Jump Street is one of the fastest yet wonderfully paced comedies to come out in a long time.

Jaime Burchardt
Follow Me on Twitter / View My Other Posts


My head's been consumed the art of movies & its creation ever since I was old enough to know what the word 'consumed' meant. The only way to reduce the pressure buildup is to write, edit, and direct. Chocolate milk also helps.
  • http://twitter.com/FilmSamurai Film Samurai

    Great review Jaimie. I didn’t know if I wanted to see this as it looked like another lame TV based film but I have heard nothing but good things about it. I missed a screening last night but I plan to see it soon.

  • Steve Aldersley

    You make it sound pretty decent. I like Hill in Moneyball.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001318880788 Griselda Muggle

    It was a lot better than I thought it would be. Glad I saw it. Agree with your review!

  • http://twitter.com/NextProjection Christopher Misch

    Watching it tonight! I don’t typically watch comedies in theatres, so this is a rare event for me!

  • http://twitter.com/jaimeburchardt Jaime Burchardt

    Thanks for your kind words guys! You have to see it in theaters, I cannot stress that enough. You know that awesome feeling when an entire sold-out crowd is all laughing in unison? Imagine that, but more amplified. I had an outstanding time, and maybe I’ll see it again tonight!

  • http://twitter.com/DantheMan610 Dan O’Neill

    Hill and Tatum are great together here and add a lot to this film’s comedy but it’s just the way it is all written that makes it even richer. It’s making fun of those high school comedy conventions but at the same time, is inventing it’s own as it goes on. Great review. Check out mine when you can.

  • http://twitter.com/jaimeburchardt Jaime Burchardt

    You wrote a great one as well! I agree, the way the film approached high school post-GLEE era was hysterical. I wonder if high schools are really like that today, haha.

  • http://twitter.com/fictionalchick Cara V.

    I lost the roll to see this over the weekend- Casa De Mi Padre or whatever it is won… which is a win/win I guess… but it better have the tempo & tenacity of Aliens, Jaime… or I’m calling you out! lol ;) Kidding… great review and I’m looking forward to seeing this now!

  • http://twitter.com/jaimeburchardt Jaime Burchardt

    Crap, I gotta make a phone call…where’s Cameron’s number…

  • http://twitter.com/NextProjection Christopher Misch

    Finally saw this last night. Thought it was fantastic. Just a couple joy to watch, start to finish.

  • http://twitter.com/jaimeburchardt Jaime Burchardt

    Outstanding!

  • http://twitter.com/roe2dep Karen Stevens

    Great review Mr. Burchardt. I went and seen the movie last night with my husband. I will confess that there were a couple of parts that had us laughing to tears, but overall we thought is was only a “good” comedy. Nothing over the top or outstanding. I’m gonna give it 3 stars. 

  • http://twitter.com/NextProjection Christopher Misch

    Did you end up watching it again? I can imagine the film has incredible replay value.

  • http://twitter.com/NextProjection Christopher Misch

    Interesting that the both of you decided it was only a good comedy. I’d interested in knowing what you would consider a great comedy! Personally, I’m not a huge fan of comedies, and even a lesser fan of seeing comedies in the cinemas. That being said, I’m glad I saw this one in theatres.

  • http://twitter.com/NextProjection Christopher Misch

    Made me think the exact same thing. If I were back in high school now, how different would my experience be?

  • http://twitter.com/roe2dep Karen Stevens

    I am your common movie watcher. I have no knowledge what goes into making, writing, or directing a movie, therefore, I’m sure you shouldn’t put much stock in my opinion. I simply go and watch a movie and either it will entertain me or it will bore me. 

    My husband, having some knowledge about movies and their directors, likes to sit and take into factor what it took to bring a movie to life. That being said, he thought the following were more entertaining than 21 Jump Street:  Hot Rod, Step Brothers, Role Models, and Liar Liar, just to name a few. Also anything by Mel Brooks would be considered great comedies.

  • http://twitter.com/NextProjection Christopher Misch

    Liar Liar is great as well. An old favourite of mine. And you’re right, you can’t go wrong with Mel Brooks.