21 Jump Street (2012)

"We're like, in the end of "Die Hard" right now, only it's our actual life!"

In high school Jenko (Tatum) was a popular jock who liked to torment Schmidt (Hill) a science nerd.  Years later, they are reunited in the police academy, where they become friends.  After graduating, they expect to become big-shot cops, but are assigned to bike patrol, where no one takes them seriously.  When they make a big arrest, but do not give Miranda rights, 

"Do you even know the Miranda rights?
"It obviously starts with... you have the right to... remain an attorney..."

"Did you just say you have the right to be an attorney?"

"Well, you do have the right to be an attorney if you want to..." 

they are reassigned to a special division on Jump Street.

The officers of Jump Street look young enough to pass as students, and are assigned to local schools.  Jenko and Schmidt are sent to a local high school to find the dealer and supplier of a new drug.  They live with Schmidt's parents and pose as brothers.

After mixing up their fake names, "Alright, which one of you is Doug? [no response] Alright, let's try that again and pretend you guys aren't weird," Jenko is placed in AP Chemistry and befriends the nerds, while Schmidt joins the drama club and hangs with the popular kids.  They soon learn that Eric Molson (Franco) and the popular kids are the dealers, but the identity of the supplier is unknown.


Attempting to turn beloved TV shows into movies is tricky...  How do you translate the characters and situations to film?  How do you present the story?  Do you bring back original cast members?  Do you update the story? Etc.  In the end, some work and others crash and burn.

The show 21 Jump Street ran for 5 seasons and launched Johnny Depp to stardom.  The writers of the film chose to pay homage to the show, by using the same setup: 21 Jump Street means the same thing, but updating the story and creating 2 new characters to lead the film.  They make references throughout the film to the 1980s original (in the film, the Jump Street program is revived from a 1980s undercover program, etc).  Also, most of the leads from the show have cameo appearances (I won't spoil them for you)... and the cast member that does not act in the film, still appears in a creative way.

Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill work well together.  Hill is known for his comedic chops and does not disappoint here... and Tatum is game for whatever is thrown his way.  James Franco's brother, Dave (Cole in the final season of Scrubs) works well in his well, and proves adept at comedy.  The cast is populated with big names in comedy, who do not disappoint.

The dialog is pretty raunchy and littered with expletives... most of which were not needed.  However, the film is fun, mindless entertainment.  And apparently they are planning to make a sequel...

21 Jump Street (2012) 109 minutes
Rated: R for crude and sexual content, pervasive language, drug material, teen drinking and some violence.
Director: Phil Lord and Chris Miller
Starring: Channing Tatum as Jenko
Jonah Hill as Schmidt
Brie Larson as Molly Tracey
Dave Franco as Eric Molson
Rob Riggle as Mr. Walters
DeRay Davis as Domingo
Ice Cube as Captain Dickinson
Chris Parnell as Mr. Gordon
Ellie Kemper as Ms. Griggs