Ok Hollywood, you got me. I mean let us be real, anybody who watched the original 21 Jump Street on television hated the idea that they turned this edgy franchise into a comedy. But damn, did they make this one funny ass entertaining movie. I mean think about it, how do you take an edgy, old school, undercover cop show that launched THE Johnny Depp’s career, and spin it into a modern day R-rated John Hughes, buddy cop film? But to be fair, I watched the show on HULU the other night, and let me tell you that s*** does not hold up as well as we all like to believe. No wonder they’re making fun of it now. Do yourself a favor. Watch the later episodes where everybody is breaking 30 and still trying to pass for 18, you’ll laugh your ass off.

For those who were born after 1988, or for those who don’t stay up on movies, 21 Jump tells the story of two youngish looking cops, Jenko (played by Channing Tatum), and Schmidt ( played by a new skinny Jonah Hill), who go undercover in a high school to stop a new drug that has been going around. The movie acts as sort of a sequel to the television show, and even pokes fun at the idea of this movie being a remake by saying “its an old cop program we are bringing back, because we’ve run out of idea,” it’s this type of self awareness that keeps the funny. And the fact that some old cast members make cameo appearances is really cool, the fact that I saw some of the original cast members making fun of themselves, made me feel less guilty about enjoying where the franchise is heading. Channing Tatum actually does his best acting in this film, he has been criticized for having no expression, but it fits well with his character who really is just a dumb jock who gets by on his swag (but then again that’s Channing’s whole career, jk fool, jk). And Jonah Hill is cool as Schmidt, who used to get bullied by Jenko in high school, who comes back undercover, surprised to see how  high school society has become more tolerant, and excepting of nerds (thanks GLEE). The only problem with Jonah Hill is that I feel like he might be making the Seth Rogen mistake where he plays himself in EVERY role (which is why Green Hornet sucked), but Jonah is still likable. I missed him when he was fat though.

Watching these two grown men interact with the new breed of ”GLEE” high schoolers brings a lot of good laughs, and it made me feel old in a way because I completely understood where Jenko and Schmidt were coming from. The fish out of water element just works! There are actually some scenes where there is tension as they try to keep their cover, which results in some (surprisingly) bloody shootouts. And casting ICE CUBE as their chief gives the movie a funny (and ironic F*** the Police) vibe, it’s a shame he was not in more scenes, he without a doubt has some of the best lines of the movie, and he can still say the F word better than anyone. But the only thing I really have to complain about is Jonah Hill’s whole, ‘Never Been Kissed’ like side plot that feels kind of weird.(SPOILER ALERT, BUT ITS NOT REALLY A SPOILER BECAUSE IT STARTS TO HAPPEN SO EARLY ON IN THE MOVIE, BUT I’M JUST GIVING YOU A HEADS UP SO I DON’T LOOK LIKE A JERK) I mean yeah, sure, blend in and hang out with the high schoolers, but seriously dude you’re a F&$^ing grown man! Why are you getting all flirty with a senior girl? Sure she is 18, but in real life an undercover cop would have his balls stapled to his badge if there was even a hint of attraction with his high school ‘mark’. I mean yeah it doesn’t go to far, but some people in the audience might just think Schmidt is a little too eager and pathetic to redo his high school years. But I can understand how both of these guys feel.

Well, ’21 Jump Street’ is a surprisingly good R-rated comedy, with a very smart script, that has good witty dialogue. The ‘fish out of water ‘ undercover cop element entertains a lot, and deep down, the whole John Hughes element of the film will make you feel reminiscent about your high school years. Which makes this definitely a film that appeals to the 21-35 crowd. Damn you Hollywood, I really wanted to hate this movie,  but you got me. I feels like I just cheated on my girlfriend…with her twin sister…her funnier twin sister that has the same name! You had me at ‘Hello’…

Bottom Line: A Must See..