| Date | |
|---|---|
| Author | DCM |
| Categories | Film Focus |
Seriously funny comedy movies aren’t exactly two a penny, so when one arrives it’s to be welcomed with open arms. 21 Jump Street, out on March 16th, is a seriously funny film and deserves to be ranked alongside Superbad as one of the best high school comedies of recent years. Directors, Phil Lord and Chris Miller have made a riotous comedy that although scattershot in its approach hits the bullseye far more than it misses and delivers a handful of hilarious set pieces.
Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum play the newly graduated cops who due to their youthful appearance, are sent undercover at a high school to prevent the spread of new synthetic drug HFS (try to work out what it stands for, tip – first word is ‘holy’). Much hilarity inevitably ensues but unlike other recent 80s comedy remakes such as The Dukes of Hazzard, this feels remarkably fresh and exciting.
Hill and Tatum make an inspired pairing, with Tatum displaying hitherto unseen comic talents as the not-so-bright Jenko. The supporting cast are all on top form too, with Ellie Kemper (Bridesmaids) making maximum impact with little screen time and Dave Franco, looking remarkably like brother James, impressing as the head of the cool kids.
Lord and Miller made their name with the very funny animated film Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs and following in the footsteps of Brad Bird (The Incredibles, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol) have made a striking transition to live action films. The onus is now on Andrew Stanton (Finding Nemo, Wall-E) to see if he can do the same with March’s John Carter 3D.
[embed width=550]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5k0mo_oJfn4[/embed]