21 Jump Street (2012)

Directed by: Phil Lord and Chris Miller

Starring: Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill, Ice Cube

Link to trailer on youtube.com:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZirgAYBcOgo

After missing out on their high school senior prom, high school outcast Morton Schmidt (Hill) and sports jock Greg Jenko (Tatum), cross paths years later during training at the police academy, where they eventually strike a friendship and graduate to become enforcers of the law. As underachieving bike cops looking for their first big arrest, they jump at any opportunity that may lead to a big break. But when their first big arrest walks due to improper protocol and reading of the Miranda Rights, both Morton and Greg are transferred to a special undercover unit located at 21 Jump Street.

“21 jump Street” is a 2012 action comedy film based on the 1980’s television series of the same name created by Patrick Hasburgh and Stephen J. Cannell. The film adaptation is directed by filmmaking duo Phil Lord and Chris Miller (“Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs”).

Starring in the film are actors Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill, with a supporting performance from Ice Cube. Both Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill received MTV Movie Award and Teen Choice Award nominations for their performances in the film.

The onscreen pairing of Tatum and Hill surprisingly works. Channing Tatum, who is commonly known for his starring roles in romantic dramas, actually does well alongside the more comedic Jonah Hill. The film is one of those “bromance” comedies that centers in on the friendship of its main characters. The good thing about this film was it didn’t present any cheesy romances on the side. The plot did not stray too far from what “21 Jump Street” is all about, and that’s the undercover work. What I did find disappointing, was the lack of action in this. The very few action sequences were either too over the top comedic, or too unconvincing. I didn’t really get that nice balance of humor and action that you would usually expect from an action comedy. The comedic humor prevails though, and that was enough reason to keep this entertaining. The surprise cameo was a hilarious bit, and it got me laughing. See if you can catch that.