Skip to main content

Dome Pondering Movie Review: 21 Jump Street (2012)

What is it about? 

Based off of the TV show, two young-looking and underachieving cops are sent back to High School to blend in, infiltrate the drug scheme, and to bring down the suppliers of a synthetic drug ring. 

Who is in it? 

Jonah Hill - Schmidt

Channing Tatum - Jenko

Favorite Scene: 

After finding the dealer inside of the school, he not only sells them the synthetic drug but forces them take it on the spot to ensure they were legit. Schmidt and Jenko then attempt to throw up to remove the drug before it enters their system but failed. The rest of the day, both attempt to finish the day as they go through the different phases of the drug's effects. 

Favorite Quote: 


Zack: You look really old. Were you held back? 
Jenko: No. You look super young, were you held forward? 

Review: 

I'm not a huge fan of the recent movement of taking things from the past and remaking them. Whether it be movies or television shows, it usually does damage to the original brand. However, thankfully, 21 Jump Street doesn't exactly do that.  

The film is pretty good. Not bad, but certainly not worthy of all of the hype it has built up. The cast of Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum are very funny in the film, and do deliver some insanely hilarious moments. However, the issue with 21 Jump Street is that it delivers much of those moments in the first half of the film. In the second half of the film, much of the comedy runs dry or simply grows tired. This especially becomes noticeable during the big car chase scene which really comes off flat and gives the film a "jump the shark" feel. 

21 Jump Street will offer some funny lines, along with the typical crass, vulgar, and ridiculous comedy that everyone expects these days for cheap comedic purposes. Depending on your tolerance, it's give or take. 

What it does very well is taking the plot-line from a cheesy show in the late eighties and updating it into a pretty formidable concept for the current age. Also a nice touch by writer, Jonah Hill, to incorporate pieces of the show into the movie such as Holly Robinson Peete playing the classic and original 21 Jump Street character of Officer Judy Hoffs, the use of the McQuaid brothers story line, and a followup on the Tom Hanson character, originally played by Johnny Depp. 

Overall, 21 Jump Street is a tale of two halves and a mix of good and bad. 

However, it is still worth the watch. 

Grade: 3/5

Recently Read Posts

A Product of Us: Thoughts on Durant Trade

I said back in July when Kevin Durant rocked the NBA world with his trade request, that he "showed us who he was".  It wasn't a negative comment, but one that encompasses his entire career being a product of our current sport climate - success and focus on legacy. We emphasize the value of a career on rings, and thus, Durant has too. Why wouldn't he?!  Upon waking up and realizing that Durant will don the purple and orange for the Phoenix Suns in what is clearly now a team to watch come the NBA Playoffs, I find myself further pondering if Kevin Durant is the prime result of what we - yes, us! - have done to the modern athlete.  Today, Durant is one of the greatest basketball players I've ever seen. EVER. The dude is rare. He's a seven-foot magician which makes defending him even more difficult based on how damn efficient he is on the basketball court. It's downright poetic and beautiful to watch Durant play. And yes, I'm romanticizing his game. I belie

CM Punk's Return - Perfect Timing for the Symbol of Anti-WWE

Looooooooook in my eyes, what do you see?! The lyrics to Cult of Personality, especially that first bar,  never felt so fitting for CM Punk as it did last night.  For the most part, everything that is CM Punk's return to wrestling last night at AEW Rampage ties directly into my latest thoughts on pro wrestling - the company is making it must-see destination television, an element desperately needed from pro wrestling.  Last night was incredible as again, it was another moment that made wrestling feel alive - with a wild and energetic pulse. It was one of the coolest moments in pro wrestling that you knew was coming, expected, anticipated, and it was everything and more. Again, MUST-SEE television. That's hard to do.  For me, it wasn't just Punk's return to pro wrestling, but the mere presence and voice of his inclusion in today's space. We know that Punk can deliver on the microphone - probably his best and most signature attribute. We also know that yes, he can

Impact No Surrender 2023 Review: "Interested in where the Product is Going"

I've fallen behind on my Impact Wrestling viewing, but honestly, that's okay. For viewership and enjoyment, yes. Not so well for posting a review for readership long after it's noteworthy or relevant. But whatevs, that's just where I am in life. Wrestling is much more fun removed from the restraints and influence of the criticism and impact (no pun intended) of the current time. That's just me. You can probably thank social media. Moving on, No Surrender 2023 continues Impact's progress into the new year. The product is still solid and consistent with a nice blend of characters and wrestlers moving in and out of the main event scene, along with a fresh batch of a resurgence of characters and occurrences. Nothing says that more than Rich Swann vs. Josh Alexander.  No Surrender was a solid event, but it does leave me extremely interested in where the product is going, or should I say planning, for 2023. I don't want to say that Alexander's title reign has

WWE Elimination Chamber 2023 Review: "Pumped for Wrestlemania"

The WWE continued the massive machine moving towards Wrestlemania with this Elimination Chamber event. It was likely the most anticipated Elimination Chamber for this fan in recent memory, and it didn't disappoint in any way. This has been the trend for the company since Triple H has taken over creative (just my opinion, though, not a massive hot take).  Of course, like many others, I was hooked because of the payoff (or first of many to come?) of the highly acclaimed Sami Zayn/Bloodline story with the eventual clashing of Roman Reigns and Sami Zayn. Also, it should probably be said, that Roman Reigns is just money (sorry, Carmella). The dude just is. He's at a level where he is a must-watch and feels enough like a rare, yet, big deal, whenever he is stepping into the ring.  I've often said the oversaturation of the wrestlers is currently a plague in pro wrestling. Roman is the perfect example of that holding some water.  Nonetheless, here are some of my quick thoughts on t