Does anybody miss The Breakfast Club? I mean really miss it, like pine for it with the knowledge that modern teen comedy has lost its way? I grew up feeling that John Hughes’ coming-of-age films had no basis in reality and were thus easily dismissed. That isn’t quite right. The plots of John Hughes coming-of-age films, Sixteen Candles, Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, etc., have no basis in reality and can be dismissed on that count. The emotional disposition of the teens involved in these films, however, most certainly resonates beyond the screen. Molly Ringwald was the consummate embodiment of the teen persona — attractive and yet awkward and unsure while inwardly conflicted and constantly searching for her place. We loved teen Molly Ringwald for fighting our fight. And then we called her “Molly Ringworm.”
21 Jump Street is a fantastic companion piece to the recent disaster Project X. There is no insecurity among the teens in either of these comedies. And it’s sickening. Here the attitudes towards modern teens are almost identical – a limited exploration of cynical, self-gratifying, attention seekers. The collective lack of self-doubt in these films is both disgusting and useless.
Hence, it would be easy to dislike 21 Jump Street. Plot ain’t helpin’, either: Jenko (Channing Tatum) and Schmidt (Jonah Hill) are both rookie cops. Due to their ages and propensity for mistakes, they have been assigned to go undercover at a high school. Yay? Not a stellar premise, but I don’t think you can truly hate a film which presents such a loving vision of the two as high schoolers in a flashback:
Then the running gag here is the cool kids of today are PC freaks, while the hunks, dishes, and athletes are reduced to “other” status. OK, fine. You can have your premise. I know it exists for the sole purpose of aligning Channing with the nerds – and here we get a disturbing look into the same philosophical vision espoused by Project X – Channing meets with the AP Chem kids, who are initially stand-offish until he suggests some illegal they can do, and then *instantly* everybody is on board. This is how easily the smart kids are brought to the dark side?! Wow, you don’t think much of teens at all, do you? Such lofty esteem is accentuated later-on by a drunk co-ed trying to, ahem, enjoy little Channing during a limo chase. Channing, “yes, yes, you’re totally hot, but I’m shooting guys here!” You can choose to be appalled or go with it and love the moment. For Project X, I chose appalled. I’ll give 21 Jump Street the benefit of the doubt; this movie has strong self-awareness of its own deficiencies.
This is the first film for “new look” Jonah Hill. I commend the slimming. Go Jonah. Of course, paired next to Tatum, constantly, isn’t doing him any favors. Maybe next time his agent can find a role which pairs Jonah with, I dunno, John Goodman? Val Kilmer? Some sort of vending machine or kiosk?
Look closely for Johnny Depp in one of my favorite cameos in many moons.
Rated R, 109 Minutes
D: Phil Lord, Chris Miller
W: Michael Bacall & Jonah Hill
Genre: Obscure TV Show remake Cash-in
Type of person most likely to enjoy this film: Fans of Channing Tatum’s vast range
Type of person least likely to enjoy this film: “I believe the children are the future.”
