Movie Review: 21 Jump Street (English) 152

Movies like ’21 Jump Street’ are like the run of the mill comedies we have in Bollywood. They completely lack novelty but are worth your money for the laughs. The film is based on the TV series of the same name that launched Johnny Depp and has now turned funnyman Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum into producers.

Shmidt (Hill) and Jenko (Tatum) are from the same school but hardly ever got along. While Shmidt is plump and a nerd, the latter is a Jock. Both end up joining the police academy and emerge as buddies, helping out with each others weaknesses.

Since the duo has youthful looks, they are sent undercover as students to a local school to bust a drug ring. And then follows the usual humor as they get into school plays, some romance and run-ins with the drug lords while they also deal with an explitive spewing boss, Captain Dickson (Ice Cube).

In a way, it reminded me of the Bollywood movie ‘Main Hoon Na’ which had Shah Rukh Khan getting into college as an undercover guard to one of the students there. Just like in ’21 Jump Street’, the former too had humor and romance. There is also another Hollywood movie with a similar story; can’t recollect the name though!

Jonah Hill is best remembered for his role in ‘Superbad’ a comedy on a high-school party theme and his latest act in a supporting role in the Oscar nominated ‘Moneyball’. But, his best achievement is shedding pounds by the dozens to suit his character.  Tatum, also a regular face in collegiate humor flicks is fine, but nothing exceptional.

’21 Jump Street’ has already garnered good international ratings. Remember, the US release was more than a month ago. But, don’t be dissuaded by those ratings or rave reviews; let me assure you that this movie has nothing new. At best, it qualifies as a pastime flick on TV; but not worth a trip to the silver screen.

Rating 5/10: Just another comedy; has nothing new!