21 Jump Street

*****
UK Release Date: July 9th 2012

A pair of underachieving cops are sent back to a local high school to blend in and bring down a synthetic drug ring.

Director: Phil Lord, Christopher Miller (Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs)

Starring: Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum, Ice Cube, Dave Franco, Brie Larson

21 Jump Street probably holds the best cop duo since Rush Hour. If you, like me, think Tatum and Hill are an odd pairing, prepare to be mistaken. Tatum fits into the comedy aspects very well and Hill, who helped write the script, peaks with his performance.

A flashback to high-shcool allows us an insight on their friendship. Eminem wannabe Schmidt (Hill) is a social recluse and gets picked on by meathead Jenko (Tatum). Fast-forward in time and they become friends and partners.

After an unfortunate attempt at a drugs bust, Jenko forgetting his Miranda Rights ('you have the right to...suck my dick, motherfucker!') and a public embarrassment, they are both assigned to 21 Jump Street, an undercover operations unit for youthful looking officers. Run by angry Captain Dickson (Ice Cube), the pair are off to high-school to 'infiltrate the dealer' and 'find the supplier' of a drug called HFS (Holy Fucking Shit).

School isn't how they remember it being. Schmidt is now in with the popular kids and Jenko is forced to hang with the chemistry nerds.

There are too many funny moments to pick out any particular one. 21 Jump Street steers clear from the original series enough to warrant its own credit, but doesn't stray too far by having minimal references and great cameos that any fan of the series will be delighted with.

It's not all about Hill and Tatum, as a great supporting cast have their moments to. Dave Franco is fellow cool kid and dealer Eric and Bridesmaids' Ellie Kemper is Ms. Griggs who's infatuated with Jenko and his mighty abs. Ice Cube is a scene-stealer with his take no shit attitude.

21 Jump Street is hilarious, a breath of fresh air (even with its gross-out moments) and highly entertaining. It's one of those comedies that's memorable from beginning to end.