21 Jump Street

I like to think of myself as a man with fine tastes. I drink chardonnay from the early 1800s, whilst listening to Beethoven. I eat only the finest chocolates made in Italy. I drive luxury cars such as Bugatti, Ferrari, and Porsche.  Every now and then, when I'm in the mood, I like to watch stupid comedies. This is one of those movies. Now, those who like this movie, don't get offended. I do like this movie, but in all regards, it's stupid. A stupid comedy. What am I talking about? 21 Jump Street of course.

21 Jump Street used to be a television show starring Johnny Depp and Peter DeLuise. However, this movie does not (well, kinda) star them. Our heroes are Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum. They're cops who aren't the best at their job, so they're sent undercover to bust a drug supplier who's making big waves. The story opens with Schmidt (Hill) a nerd in highschool, trying to ask out one of the popular girls. Greg Jenko (Tatum) teases Schmidt, embarrassing him. 7 years later, they run into each other at the police academy and become fast friends. Schmidt (the brains) helps Jenko (the brawn) and vice versa, thus both graduating police school. They become partners, naively believing being cops will make their lives more exciting. Sadly, this is not the case. They are on patrol and notice an infamous biker gang. In hopes of becoming heroes, they try to arrest said gang, but in the end fail, because Jenko did not read them their Miranda rights. (Which is not true, but hey movie rules.) Due to their lack of arrests, Schmidt and Jenko are sent to the 21 Jump Street undercover division. Their case? Go undercover as students, find the supplier of a new super drug, HFS.  Also, if you get expelled from school, you get kicked out of Jump Street.

Their first day goes smoothingly. Jenko forgetting his undercover identity, thus switching the roles of the two would be cops. Schmidt and Jenko are put out of their comfort zones. Schmidt in drama and track; while Jenko is in AP chemistry and band. They found out a supplier and are asked to take HFS to prove to the supplier, Eric ( an eco friendly popular kid played by Dave Franco) that they aren't cops. Naturally, they have to go through school while high on this drug. Hilarity ensues.

Screw you science!- Censored Jenko

Unfortunately, they aren't moving fast enough. The Captain of Jump Street (played by Ice Cube), warns them the drug needs to be contained before it spreads. However, Schmidt, seems to become friendly with the popular kids, while Jenko becomes closer with the nerds. They decide to get in Eric's (Dave Franco) good graces, so that they can mingle with the other dealers and meet the supplier. They throw a party, and Schmidt manages to impress Eric, while Jenko seems to annoy Eric. As Schmidt gets closer to Eric, Jenko gets pushed away. The friendship is pushed to the limits as Schmidt unknowingly calls Jenko Rain Man, while Jenko is listening to Eric's tapped phone. (It was tapped earlier by Jenko's nerd friends) Jenko, does manage to get a tip that a deal is going down, so Schmidt and him go after it. After a highway chase to outdo any movie car chase, the two get into a fight during a school play, causing them to get expelled. Eric comes by and tells the two guys, that he needs security for a meet with a gang and that the supplier will be there. They prove to Eric that they aren't cops (again), so then they get ready for prom.

I don't remember prom being like this though.

Naturally, their cover is blown and this leads to a limo chase to end all limo chases as far as I'm concerned. They manage to get the bad guy and they read him his MIRANDA RIGHTS, OH MY GOSH GUYS, THEY DID IT. Once they made the arrest, they're hired back at 21 Jump Street and might be going to college?

The Good:
For the most part, it's pretty funny. Yeah, it's not for everybody, but as I said before, this is a stupid comedy. Tatum and Hill work pretty well together too. They're always on beat, making the duo funnier. I kinda like the whole, hippy eco friendly people as the popular kids at the school. It's sort of wrong in a way, but it works. And one of them is a drug dealer? Pretty amusing. The car, oh man. For those who didn't read my review of Man of Tai Chi (check it out!) I kinda have a thing about nice cars. A custom 1973 Camaro. Whew. Lovely car.

The Bad:
Way too much use of CGI guys. The car chases, the gun fights, everything is CGI and you can tell. I know this is a comedy, but it's okay to use real stuff. The famous Wilhelm scream. You know, I'm starting to think that this sound bit is becoming sort of an inside joke in movies now. That sound bit is 50 years old! Use something else!

Overall:
If you have a fine taste in things, such as myself, and are needing a break, might I suggest this movie?
As I said before, it's not for everyone, but does provide some laughs. I have yet to see the sequel, and hopefully it's as good as the first.

I give this movie 3 Miranda Rights out of 5.