Initially, going to see 21 Jump Street wasn’t exactly my idea of a great night out. Having just moved back to town and wanting to catch up with an old friend, I agreed to go purely because they were keen and the tickets were free. To be honest, with the market saturated with movies trying to replicate the raunchy humor of The Hangover and Superbad, and after a trailer for 21 Jump Street that didn’t elicit a single laugh, my expectations were subterranean. I was simply anticipating a casual evening out, not much more.
But wow, was I wrong.
This movie genuinely surprised me. Yes, there were moments that didn’t entirely land. Some dialogue felt a tad too crude, seemingly aiming for vulgarity for its own sake. There was the predictable dose of Jonah Hill’s signature penis jokes and one particularly gratuitous shock gag that felt unnecessary. However, the overwhelming majority of the film was, to my surprise, genuinely satirical, intelligent, and incredibly relevant to contemporary society. It was self-aware and consistently hilarious in its situational comedy. Even the most overtly silly and profane jokes and clichés seemed to acknowledge their own absurdity, often with comedic build-up and context that earned genuine chuckles. The script was peppered with surprisingly clever dialogue, and the supporting cast was phenomenal, featuring some of the best comedic performances I’ve seen recently – Ice Cube and the school Principal being particular standouts.
What truly elevated 21 Jump Street, however, was the editing. The film employs some of the most brilliantly awkward and humorous camera shot transitions, scene changes, and music integrations imaginable. These techniques weren’t just stylistic flourishes; they were integral to the comedic timing and punchlines, adding layers of humor that I hadn’t anticipated. Despite its minor flaws, I found 21 Jump Street to be remarkably enjoyable and would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone in search of a genuinely fun and entertaining weekend movie.
In conclusion, 21 Jump Street delivers a genuine, clever, and yes, vulgar, but ultimately respectable comedy that also manages to have a surprising amount of heart. In my opinion, this film was a very smart career move for both Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum, showcasing their comedic talents in a fresh and unexpected way.
I’m genuinely stoked for the rest of the 21 Jump Street series.
