21 Jump Street
This TV-drama-remade-as-a-big-screen-comedy stars Channing Tatum (Jenko) and Jonah Hill (Schmidt) as mediocre newbie cop partners reassigned to the 21 Jump Street undercover division and immediately sent back to high school to infiltrate a drug ring. These days, it’s the eco-liberal kids who stand at the top of the “cool-kid” food chain, with a handsome socially conscious drug dealer (Dave Franco) leading this new granola pack. Now Schmidt and Jenko’s old roles are switched: The once-nerdy Schmidt is now the sensitive popular kid, and former jock Jenko doesn’t know how to fit in with the new generation. The tension drives a wedge in their friendship and undercover work, but the ridiculous high-school drama and subsequent shenanigans provide much comic relief. Plus, the chemistry between Tatum and Hill is surprisingly strong, so you root for this bromance through thick and thin. All the stupid stuff here, from ridiculously over-the-top car chases and shoot-’em-ups, to dumb raunchy humor. For an R-rated action-comedy based on an ’80s TV show, it all serves its big, dumb and pretty damn funny purpose. Cinemark 14, Feather River Cinemas and Paradise Cinema 7. Rated R