This movie was better than I thought it would be, as there were some genuine laugh out loud moments in it. It is based on the 21 Jump Street TV series, and it supposedly exists in the same world, but it doesn't take itself too seriously.
Jonah Hill is generally annoying in most of the things I see him in. Here, he plays the nerd who decides to become a cop, but he lacks all physical capability. Channing Tatum is the stereotypical jock who is a complete lunkhead. They help each other overcome their weaknesses in order to become police officers and eventually join the 21 Jump Street reboot to be put in high school as undercover police officers. Both of them manage to bring enough to their roles. The fact is, the roles are intended to be stereotypes, and that is exactly what they are.
Dave Franco, of the famous Franco brothers, is the cool guy on campus who quickly becomes the focus of the investigation into the newest, and clearly deadly, drug on campus. He also doesn't have much acting to do, but he does it okay. Come to think of it, everyone is asked to play a stereotype, and everyone does it. It's not particularly hard to do, so no one is really challenged as an actor. I've seen comedies that required a massive amount of acting (like All of Me with Steve Martin) but this isn't one of those movies.
Ice Cube does a great job as the angry black police chief. He knows the role is stupid and almost periphery, and he owns it pretty solidly. His character winds up being one of the most entertaining things about the movie. And let's be clear - I've rarely liked Ice Cube in anything he's done. XXX 2? Please.
And then there is Rob Riggle. I'll let you in on a secret - I love Rob Riggle. No, nothing gay about it. I think that guy is a great comedian and has more talent than most of the actors around him. He's managed to get some co-starring roles, but he never seems to get the starring role that he deserves. It reminds me of how Patrick Warburton is the supporting actor is so many TV shows and movies, and he got his break out role as the Tick (which he was wonderful in) and just didn't get enough actual corporate buy-in to keep it going. I don't know what the underlying limiting factor is, but it needs to stop. Rob needs a good platform of his own (and not a crappy sitcom).
Acting was good
Story was good
Dialog was fantastic
Cinematography was good
Comedy was very good
3.75/5