21 Jump Street (2012)

Rating: 8/10 (11 June 2012)

A genuine surprise in quality and enjoyment. This is an example of a film where all the elements came together. 21 Jump Street is based on an 80's TV show, mostly famous for launching Johnny Depp's career. The idea sounds pretty ridiculous, wherein a group of young looking police officers go undercover as high school students. The film does well to turn this into a complete comedy. Tatum and Hill are old high school buddies that hated each other, as Tatum had fun bullying Hill. After school they both join the Police Academy, where they discover they can help each other out. Hill tutors Tatum, and Tatum trains Hill for physical stuff. A real loving friendship develops, but after an arrest goes wrong, they are shipped off to 21 Jump Street and asked to go undercover to discover the supplier of a new drug. The film hits just about every element of comedy it can. It plays on stereotypes, as Tatum and Hill are surprised to find students that care for the environment and are tolerant of each other. It also self parodies. The police chief mentions how they are regurgitating an assignment from the 80's, clearly nodding towards the film being a remake. Slapstick, clever dialogue, it all works. Tatum is perfectly cast, and like Wahlberg before him, seems to have a real gift for comedy. He excels by playing his usual jock self in full earnestness. Hill has obviously learnt from his acting chops being stretched on Moneyball. He i similar to previous characters, but knows when to dial it down. Their relationship carries the film, and we can easily understand their states of mind as Hill sees what it's like to be the popular kid. There are a numerous amount of stand out hilarious skits. One seeing Tatum and Hill getting high, and going through the five stages. It works better as a high school fish out of water comedy than it does an action movie, but even these scenes have their highlights.Funny supporting roles, exceptional cameos, and pacing that knows how to advance the plot, excite, build on characters, and make you laugh out loud, all at the same time. Perhaps one of the greats this year.