Silly comedy, not as funny as you think

Rating: 6/10 (7 April 2012)

I'll admit, I was a little disappointed in this movie right here. I went to the theater with hopes high ready to laugh myself silly, figuring that I was sure to judging by the look of the trailers I had seen. However, instead of a gut-busting comedy, what I got was a silly little movie that got old relatively quickly, and wore out it's welcome sooner than I thought it would.
Don't get me wrong, 21 Jump Street delivers a few hilarious sequences. The Peter Pan play sequence, for instance, had me laughing harder than I've laughed during a movie since last years 50/50. And the party that the two bumbling cops throw is a pretty funny, entertaining part. But really, aside from a few one-liners and quips here and there, this movie offers up nothing original and is overloaded with clichés. For example, a loud, angry black cop. A scary, villainous motorcycle gang. An overbearing and slightly gay-tinged gym teacher. Yep, just about every comedy cliché can be found in this one.
What this movie does have going for it is Jonah Hill. The funny man never seems to disappoint, and in this one plays the dweebie Morton Schmidt to perfection. Channing Tatum isn't bad as his counterpart, and the two show decent chemistry on screen. Also, watch out for a movie-stealing cameo towards the end from someone we all know and love (myself especially).
All in all, this film does not live up to the hype. It is a funny ride through a decent storyline, but not much more. Don't go in expecting your gut to bust, as you will be very disappointed. Go in with an open mind and you will be entertained, as this is an entertaining film with some genuinely hilarious moments.