review by Adam Cook Patron
21 Jump Street 2012
Watched Aug 25, 2012
Adam Cook’s review:
I don’t much care for either Jonah Hill nor Channing Tatum, in fact their presence in a film is normally a turnoff, yet 21 Jump Street proves that sometimes two wrongs do actually make a right. This is far from sophisticated, and deliberately relies on well worn stereotypes, yet it wholeheartedly embraces its silliness. Bar the bad language this is a lot closer to directors, Phil Lord and Chris Miller’s animated debut, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, than I had expected. It has the same frantic pacing, madcap humour and likeable characters. The last point is perhaps what separates this from the countless other comedies Jonah Hill stars in because the audience actually warms to these people.
Tatum has clearly found his true calling here. Playing up to his usual tough but sensitive roles he proves surprisingly adept at physical comedy and unselfishly playing the straight man. His relationship with Hill is warm, lacking in cynicism and consistently funny. Whilst Ice Cube gets his best role since Three Kings playing up to the Angry Black Captain stereotype with real relish. The film works best during the moments that rely on the characters rather than when it descends into predictable action territory but it is never less than enjoyable and on quite a few occasions is laugh out loud funny.
I rather like Jonah Hill but Channing Tatum is like the equivalent of someone grinding their teeth.
You're not the first person I know who has responded to 21 Jump Street positively, if I can get over the fact Tatum is in this movie, maybe I'll give it a chance someday.
I'd definitely give it a go. You might not like the film as much as I did but I'm pretty sure you'll be surprised by how good Tatum is in it.
I know I was in shock when it came to Tatum in this.
Hollie, you WILL like Tatum after you watch this. It may be impossible no to.
That's impossible, Jeff.
Channing Tatum is actually growing on me. I enjoyed his work in Haywire, and he's MASSIVELY likable in this. He's got good comic timing, his chemistry with Hill is strong, and he's not afraid to play the fool or even subtly parody his own reputation a little bit.
He is also supposed to be good in Magic Mike too so he seems to be on a bit of a roll in 2012.
I liked it. Tatum is underrated, The Eagle was a favourite of mine last year.
@mentazm: Really? I thought that was pretty terrible, particularly Tatum's charisma free performance.
Yeah, I know, it's not a popular choice. Watched it alone at work after a particular bad run of films - maybe was desperate for anything slightly good. Seriously though, enjoyed that film a lot.
He was surprisingly decent in Magic Mike, a film that was surprisingly decent as well. I must say that 2012 has been the year that made my opinion of Channing Tatum change.
I still can't reconcile how bad the trailers were for Magic Mike and all the good reviews it has amassed. I guess I'll have to see the film for myself.
I still can't reconcile how bad the trailers were for Magic Mike and all the good reviews it has amassed. I guess I'll have to see the film for myself.
It's a darker film than the trailer would suggest, and also pretty restrained too. Not perfect, but I ended up enjoying it more than I thought I would.
oh. my. GOD. i had no idea they directed Cloudy too, that's one of my faves! No wonder I like this film so much.
this film made me love Channing Tatum, i can't wait to hear the DVD commentary because i heard he ad libbed a lot of his real funny stuff!
The directors are now supposed to be making a Lego movie. Whilst it sounds like a horrible cash-in I'm more intrigued by what they can do with such a strange and diverse world.
Watching this tonight.