21 Jump Street

A self-referential reboot of the 80s television series (1987-1991) starring Johnny Depp, Phil Lord and Chris Miller’s 21 Jump Street has some good, if juvenile, laughs. Schmidt (Jonah Hill), unpopular in high school, and Jenko (Channing Tatum), popular, switch roles when they return to high school as undercover cops trying to bust a drug ring---and they both get wrapped up in teenage drama in the process of finding the supplier. Hill and Tatum play well off one another---the latter's stupidity emphasizes the former's funniness---and it’s a decent movie until the story reaches its gruesome and prolonged climax---a teacher’s penis gets shot off, need I say more? But, for better or for worse, prequels, sequels and remakes are standard mainstream movie fare---and 21 Jump Street is no exception, but this pokes fun at itself, including Depp’s brief cameo. Though, after an hour and a half, the rest truly is gratuitous. –Molly Segal