Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill sort of seem like an unlikely duo to form a blockbuster comedy hit, but that is exactly what they were when they took on “21 Jump Street” together in 2012.
Yes, the same two guys who recently appeared in “Magic Mike” (Tatum) and “Moneyball” (Hill).
If you are by chance looking for a hilarious movie about two rent-a-cops getting demoted and having their punishment be going back to high school, this movie is probably right up your alley.
The movie starts off when Schmidt (Hill) and Jenko (Tatum) are in their “glory days” of high school. Schmidt is the stereotypical nerd and Jenko is the stereotypical jock.
When Jenko starts failing out of class, however, the two strike a deal that would benefit the both of them. The nerd helps the jock not flunk out of school and the jock helps the nerd have somewhat of a social life. How touching.
Skip ahead seven years and their paths cross again, this time both graduating from the police academy only to find out they have been assigned to patrol the streets on bicycles together, as partners.
During a routine bicycle sweep of the neighborhood park, Schmidt and Jenko find themselves face to face with one of the city’s most notorious drug gangs smoking marijuana. Trying to take them down by themselves to garner a promotion, they fail with flying colors.
Because of the botched attempt, the pair finds themselves in their boss’ office being demoted.
Their demotion? Go back to their old high school undercover and try to find a notorious drug ring inside the school itself.
At this point I am thinking to myself, “What the hell is possibly going to happen next?” And I loved the answer.
Schmidt, the nerdy dork from his high school days is assigned to no-brainer classes and falls in love with a girl named Wendy,
whereas Jenko gets assigned to all advanced-placement classes and has to mingle with intellectual brainiacs.
Both scenarios are masterfully done by the producer and director making me laugh about every 13.2 seconds.
As the duo’s hunt for the drug kingpin is narrowed down, Schmidt and Jenko find themselves in some risky business and hot water as the climax is apparent when they realize who the real ring master is. They face having to bring him down or jeopardizing their job down the road.
Two enemies come together as friends to accomplish their goal in the end with a surprise twist I didn’t see coming.
When I went into this movie, I thought there was definitely a chance for it to be a bust or a snoozer. The plot line seemed to be inevitable, but instead the new characters and twists and turns throughout kept me riveted enough want the movie to continue on.
But when the film did finally end, I was pleasantly surprised.
If you want a good laugh and a break from some of those brutal weeks of tests, papers and projects, then head over to Woodland Theater in Davies Center this Fri.-Sun. and check out “21 Jump Street.”