Cops, action, humour & a hint of sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll. What's not to like?

Rating: 5/10 (24 August 2012)

I never watched the 80s TV series starring Johnny Depp. I was too busy being severely narked about it. In '85 I had the idea for a great TV show about a kid at school who was really a cop. My friends laughed and said it was stupid, unrealistic and, besides, who'd listen to an idea from a skinny little kid in the backwaters of somewhere distinctly not Hollywood? Then, a couple of years later, two blokes in Hollywood created 21 Jump Street.
Not one to hold a grudge, I caught a repeat screening of the updated, upgraded, upsized movie version of 21 Jump Street, staring Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum, with limited expectations other than some disposable fun and a rather large serving of cheese. It was worth the effort.
Directed by the double act of Phil Lord and Chris Miller, whose last offering was Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, and written by Scott Pilgrim vs the World scribe, Michael Bacall, 21 Jump Street delivers with a cheek full of tongue and embraces its source rather than attempting to obliterate the memory of it, as so many big screen adaptations do.
Indeed, they make pretty damn sure we know exactly what's going on with an early line from Ice Cube's Captain Dickson as he unloads the fate of our heroes: "You see, the guys in charge of this stuff lack creativity and are completely out of ideas. So all they do is recycle sh*t from the past and expect us all not to notice." And when the hapless duo enquires where they should report, Dickson barks "37 Jump Street. No, that doesn't sound right" Superb! But don't think for a minute that implies 21 Jump Street isn't fresh, inventive and thoroughly enjoyable. Sit back, go with it and allow a couple of hours to pass with plenty of smiles and a sufficient quantity of eye candy.
The principals play variations of their usual, recognizable characters and there'll be no plaudits for acting prowess but that's not why you come to 21 Jump Street, is it? If you visit this film, and it's well worth it if you have a spare Friday evening with a pizza and a beer, you're coming for easy fun that won't stretch the brain or give you nightmares.
It's a simple 'buddy flick' about two failing cops who are given an opportunity to redeem themselves and answer the age-old question: What would I do if I could go back but know everything I know now? So, if you like cops, action, humour, s*x, drugs and rock 'n' roll (well, a hint of it) give it a shot. What's the worst that could happen?
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