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21 Jump Street DVD Review

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by Rohan Seal (subscribe)
I'm an aspiring writer living in Essex. I have recently graduated from Portsmouth University, studying English Literature and Film Studies. Visit my blog sealreviews.blogspot.co.uk
Published July 29th 2012
Another Buddy Cop Comedy

Cop comedies are great aren't they? One of the few genres that are almost certain to get big laughs. Hot Fuzz, Rush Hour, Blue Streak, and Bad Boys, these are all films that I can still genuinely enjoy without requiring unnecessary amounts of alcohol. So with the release of 21 Jump Street, I was looking forward to seeing another comedy in the long line of buddy cop films, full of over the top explosions, cheesy lines, and through the air gunfire, all topped off with some cliché cop movie references thrown in just for laughs.

21 Jump Street - for those of you born in Britain in the 90's - is based upon a TV drama series with the pre-Captain Jack Sparrow Johnny Depp and Dustin Nguyen as undercover police officers posing as high-school teens. However, the film adaptation, starring Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill, turns the serious (and frankly unrealistic drama) into a comedy, identifying the absurdity of the original series and playing with that idea.

Schmidt and Jenko (Hill and Tatum respectively), two high-school teens at opposite ends of the popularity spectrum, become unlikely friends when both join the police force and are then instructed to work undercover in a high-school to uncover a drug ring, expose the dealers, and identif the supplier. During their time back in high-school, the once popular Jenko is alienated by how times have changed, becoming an ostracized individual and scorned by his fellow classmates. However, Schmidt, who was once shy and incapable of talking to girls, falls in with the popular kids in school, much to Jenko's disapproval.

Many fans of the original series would probably feel uncertain towards the change from a drama to a comedy, however the change works perfectly. Hill and Tatum are perfect together; both actors deliver their lines sharply and with great timing. This surprised me, as I wasn't sure whether I would buy into the pair coming from different ends of the social spectrum becoming best-friends-forever. Yet their timing and the way they played off each other's lines was fun and entertaining to watch, allowing a true friendship to blossom on screen.

Overall I will say that 21 Jump Street was another brilliant cop comedy - which surprised me to be honest. Yes, the film is slightly predictable, but as this wasn't directed by Christopher Nolan, I did not expect to have my mind muscle exercised. Despite its predictability, the film had me in stitches, with the humour being the surprising element that kept the pacing of the film at a high level. If you are looking for a laugh with mates or need a film to take the girlfriend or boyfriend to see, this is a film that everyone can appreciate and laugh at in equal measure.

After long consideration, I will say that I will most certainly be buying this film on DVD or Blu Ray, and would encourage you to do the same.
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Why? A fun comedy to suit everyone
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