21 Jump Street (2012)
A terrific blend of comedy (physical, vulgar, campy) and action, this remake of the 80s TV series is easily one of the most enjoyable movies this year.
It’s the sit-back-and-laugh-your-heads-off kind of ride, and the odd pair of the chunky Channing Tatum and stocky Jonah Hill works like magic.
It’s as if the writers didn’t hold anything back and did some great comedic free-writing, as the dialogue crackled with zany, OTT and LOL lines.
They determinedly crafted out side characters that didn’t fit into a particular mold as well, with particular standouts like Bridesmaids’ Ellie Kemper as Tatum’s schizophrenic teacher and Life As We Know It’s DeRay Davis, whose now-classic quotes include “You are here because you some Justin Beaver, Molly Cyrus lookin’ motherf**kers.”
The much talked-about cameo (I’m not spoiling it, but you can take a look at the tags) is definitely satisfying, showing off the movie’s precious ability to not take everything seriously.
Just like 2007’s immensely gratifying Hot Fuzz, 21 Jump Street the movie is an almost pitch-perfect answer to that cop-buddy spoof.
