Decided to re-watch 21 Jump Street again as a back-to-school movie yesterday and also because it is one of my favorite comedies.I've seen the film for about a several times already and I never get tired of it because of the overly-positive vibe (Even for a raunchy R-rated comedy that also includes violence).Every time I watch it,it always cheers me up for a reason I really don't know.Maybe because it's hilarious? Yeah,maybe because of that.21 Jump Street is a revamped version of the hit 80s cop drama of the same name only this time it's added with laugh-out-loud humor and freshness.And also,teen angst & delinquency.Let's not forget that.21 Jump Street is directed by Phil Lord & Chris Miller (Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs) alongside a screenplay by Michael Bacall (Who was also one of those who wrote Scott Pilgrim VS The World's screenplay) and stars Jonah Hill (Superbad/Moneyball),Channing Tatum (Fighting/Coach Carter),Brie Larson (Scott Pilgrim VS The World),Dave Franco,Rob Riggle (The Other Guys),DeRay Davis,Ice Cube (Friday), and Dax Flame.21 Jump Street tells the story of two underachieving who are sent back to a local high school to blend in and bring down a synthetic drug ring.
At first glance,you may think that 21 Jump Street is just one of those typical,raunchy,R-rated dumb comedies,but after you see this,your perspective at this film's quality might definitely change.Because it actually is good.Not decent,but good.Since the film is adapted from the 80s cop drama show of the same name,so the plot of this may come from an episode of the show.Nevertheless,the plot is typical but still good.And yeah,the film even homages the show even the characters.One of the screen writers of the film is Jonah Hill and he is possibly the reason why the film was filled of hilarity.I mean damn,Jonah Hill became funnier than ever in this.He served as a good writer,so maybe he can be a director sooner or later.21 Jump Street has a usual plot like other cop comedies (Taking down a drug syndicate/drug ring) but it still works.Specially because of the cast's hilarious performances and the wise writing by Michael Bacall and comedian Jonah Hill.The film had a lot of creative jokes,even though most of them are raunchy and explicit (See part in the bathroom stall & The phases of drug effects).And hell,this might even be a part of the best comedies you've seen in a while since there aren't much good comedies these days.Speaking of performances,let's talk about it now.
The performances in 21 Jump Street are just so hilarious and will make you laugh a lot.Jonah Hill plays the nerdy smart kid Schmidt.Jonah was typical ol' Jonah.But he was not the one we saw in Superbad.In this one,we saw him as the nerdy type but smart in the film's opening,then when he gets back to high school (undercover),he gets to be one of the cool kids.Jonah Hill was ever-funny,throwing off raunchy hilarious jokes one after the another.So,if you're a Jonah Hill fan,his performance here will make you laugh out loud and will definitely cheer you up.We never knew that Channing Tatum is good at comedy,well he tells us that he is in 21 Jump Street.Channing's character was the cool but uh,dumb character but always gets the fun.Channing was amazing and surprising in here since we haven't seen him star in a good comedy and also because we always see him act dramatically.His performance was a crowd-pleaser.Meanwhile,James Franco's younger bro Dave Franco also stars in this hell of a comedic ride.Dave Franco was good,but sometimes almost annoying.But good thing,he also throws out one of my favorite lines in this film (See It Rhymes With Grape Scene). Rapper turned actor Ice Cube has often been described as a bad actor,but he slightly redeems himself because he is actually good in this.He plays Captain Dickson,the Captain in the MPD Jump Street division.His character was one of my favorites due to his bad-ass,hilarious dialogue.Oh yeah,I forgot.There's a surprise appearance in this film that might make you go "whoa,really?".I'm not gonna tell who those are,because it is a damn surprise.Well yeah,fans of the show might know them.21 Jump Street isn't a comedic ensemble movie,but the cast are still pretty good at giving laughs specifically the duo of Channing Tatum & Jonah Hill and also,Ice Cube.
Since the film was a comedy and comedies don't usually have great cinematography (Except The Hangover),21 Jump Street's cinematography was good,it was well-shot specially the chase scenes which might make you jump outta your seat.It puts you right in the heart of the action.What I liked in the film was the visuals (Even for a comedy). The film had good,charming visuals like the explosions,the things in during the end credits,the drug effects' phases,almost everything.Those specific visuals made me happy while watching it.I dunno,I'm weird I guess.I get attracted to those things so easily.The film had a good score that also homages the said show.Although it is revamped for a new age by replacing the guitar riffs with electronic,techno beats,it still quite sticks good to the old show's theme song.And the score felt police-y,you know courageous and everything.Which fit the film well.
21 Jump Street is well-directed and well-written which is unusual for a comedy these days.The writers seem to have researched well and made the jokes with passion and care,and creativeness.Michael Bacall & Jonah Hill's involvement in writing the screenplay & story was amazing,they did a good job and I damn hope that they do it again in the sequel but better and improved regarding the jokes & story.Phil Lord & Chris Miller directed the film well without making the film too corny and look stupid.They are just one of the good guys these days that have made good comedies.I hope they team-up again to make more smart comedies soon.
21 Jump Street is a raunchy,comedic thrill ride that will make you cheer and laugh so hard,and maybe even applaud.To fans of the show,it might give a dose of nostalgic memories.And to newbies,don't worry,you won't get lost 'cause you can research.Haha.Well,just kidding.But overall,the film is a good comedy that is light-hearted and never heavy and dull with creative jokes that are actually funny and jolting amazing comedic performances from the cast.If you love comedies,then you are in for a treat.P.S: The film is also a great stress-reliever.
21 Jump Street gets 7.6 over 10 stars.
*Catch Jonah Hill alongside fellow comedians survive the apocalypse in This Is The End.Coming soon in Phil.theaters.
*Save the White House with Channing Tatum in White House Down,showing in Phil.theaters July 3,2013.Distributed by Columbia Pictures Philippines.Same with This Is The End.Anyway,like Columbia Pictures Philippines' Facebook page in the link attached.
*21 Jump Street is available to own on DVD & Blu-Ray today distributed by Magnavision Home Video.Like their Facebook page in the link.
Why not check this hilarious clip from the film anyway:
>Video clip courtesy of Movieclips.com,Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and Columbia Pictures.
(C) 2012,Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and Columbia Pictures.
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