21 Jump Street

I think I have covered this before? It feels like deja vu. Nostalgia can be a dangerous thing. Rarely are fond memories as good as what actually happened. Sometimes you get something that lives on the perifery and someone makes it even better. This is one of those times.

I vaguely remember 21 Jump Street. I don't think I ever actually saw an episode. But I am well aware of the main conceit. Send some young cops to go under cover in a high school. Sounds perfect for the Hollywood grinder remake machine.

In the film, a police captain played by Nick Offerman (Ron Swanson of Parks and Recreation) admits that an old program from the 80's is being re-activated, thus making this movie exist in the same world. He says it is due to lack of imagination (take that Hollywood). And he sends down Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum to join the squad. When they arrive at 21 Jump Street (the address) they meet their new captain, Ice Cube. He admits to being the stereotypical angry captain. We see other squads who are going to other high schools. I was really glad they didn't water down the group to include too many undercover characters. Hill and Tatum went to school together (one was the nerd, the other a jock). Together in the academy they realize that together they make one whole cop.

I don't want to go beat by beat, but honestly, it is a really funny movie. It has love an affection for spoofs in the same way Edgar Wright did in Hot Fuzz. If you like silly comedy (without being stupid like all the Scary Movie knockoffs) you'll like this movie.

Did you enjoy it?
Yes.

Would you see it in theaters again?
Yes and did.

Would you buy it?
Yes.

Would you rent it?
Yes.

Would you watch it if you saw it was on TV?
Yes.