reboot of 80s TV series - undercover highschool drug-bust comedy

Rating: 6/10 (18 May 2013)

I didn't see the original 21 Jump Street (unfortunately) but love that Johnny Depp puts in an appearance in this albeit heavily disguised. This is a fun back-to-front bromance, a reboot of the 80s TV series which is comically mentioned, and a funny undercover at a highschool drug-bust scenario. Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum star as an unlikely pair of second-time-around students but they work well together - and Ice T is the funny and irreverent "stereotypical angry black captain." Hill (Schmidt) and Tatum (Jenko) are both playing characters similar to those they've played before but step out of their character comfort zones, they're clearly unlikely buds and this is referenced to comic effect, as is the fact that times change and coolness is fleeting. Loved seeing Jake Johnson (New Girl) and Chris Parnell (30 Rock) playing (ish) straight roles. Some of the funniest interactions in this are between Jenko and his Chem Teacher Ms Griggs - LOL every time - and the two boys on drugs. Hilarious. It's funnier the second time around, like Pineapple Express (another Franco) funny, though with lots of similar sick references and homoerotic gestures, which I don't know the point of to be honest and don't find so funny, but there's lots that is super funny and Tatum's physicality (!) is very impressive. Enjoyable.