The Review at a Glance: (max score: 5 )
Film:
Extras:
Audio/Video total rating:
( Max score: 100 )
87
Studio and Year: Columbia Pictures - 2012
MPAA Rating: R
Feature running time: 109 minutes
Genre: Comedy
Disc Format: BD-50
Encoding: AVC (MPEG-4)
Video Aspect: 2.40:1
Resolution: 1080p/24
Audio Format(s): English DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio, English, Spanish, French, Thai Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles: English, English SDH, French, Spanish, Chinese, Indonesian/Bahasa, Korean, Thai
Starring: Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill, Ice Cube, Brie Larson, Dave Franco, Rob Riggle
Directed by: Phil Lord & Christopher Miller
Music by: Mark Mothersbaugh
Written by: Michael Bacall
Region Code: A,B,C
Blu-ray Disc release Date: June 26, 2012
"They’re too old for this shift"
Film Synopsis:
Former high school foes turned rookie cop partners can’t catch a break – until they’re assigned to pose as students and bust a drug ring inside their old alma mater. Living like teenagers again, they slip back into their adolescent selves and risk the case – and their friendship - with hysterically disastrous results! Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum and Ice Cube star in this outrageously hilarious action-comedy!
My Take:
21 Jump Street centers around two rookie cops, who dating back seven years to the days when they shared the halls of the same high school, are polar opposites. One is nerdy, physically unsure of himself and not the epitome of what comes to mind when thinking of a cop and the other is athletic, a natural chick magnet and assuredly dim witted. Going through the police academy they decide to pair up, using one another’s strengths to help each other make it through. The pairing results in a friendship/partnership after graduation. With their first assignment not having gone so well they find themselves assigned to a brand new unit located at 21 Jump Street where young undercover cops are sent into schools in order to thwart drug dealing. Schmidt (Hill) and Jenko (Tatum) arrive at Jump Street which is headed by the seemingly always angry Captain Dickson (Ice Cube) who assigns them to their old high school in order to uncover the origins of a new hallucinogenic drug that recently caused the death of a student. They are given false identities/class assignments based upon their original transcripts, and sent in with instructions to split up, infiltrate, identify and above all else don’t get expelled.
While this all sounds very simple (in an undercover police sort of way) things don’t go exactly according to plan which leaves them to improvise, think on their feet and adjust on the fly. The trouble is, together they might equal one below average cop with little common sense but apart, there isn’t half of that. What ensues is one of the poorest excuses for an undercover operation in the history of the force. Luckily for them they get a little help from lady luck and a few unexpected friends.
When I saw the trailer for 21 Jump Street I couldn’t help but think, here we go, another Hollywood attempt to revamp/remake/parody a popular TV series that has long since seen the light of day. Let’s add the unlikely pairing of leads Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill and I surely didn’t have high hopes for anything but heaps of hokum with a side of Ice Cube laced dreck. Well I am here to tell you that 21 Jump Street turned out to be a pleasant surprise. It’s outlandish, over the top and at times downright silly but it is clearly obvious that from beginning to end that is exactly what screenwriter Michael Bacall and directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller were shooting for. The situational humor and dialogue is edgy with a flair for absurdity that at times had me giggling aloud.
My reservations about the paring of Tatum/Hill were laid to rest early on as I found their comedic chemistry to be spot on. There are moments clearly designed to be bigger than others but some of the smaller gags and character interaction proved pretty funny as well. Of the two I think that Channing Tatum’s embrace of his character’s innate shortcomings provided some of the best chuckles. The scene where Jenko and Schmidt fall under the influence of the hallucinogenic drug in front of the gym teacher just cracked me up. As things progress the envelope gets pushed pretty far but by that time you’re all in and prepared for anything. The supporting cast of characters capably contributes to the fun (although I quickly grew tired of Ice Cubes one note barking) and if you look closely you might even notice a couple of cameos. 21 Jump Street doesn’t break new ground but takes a walk on the wild side both in stride and in form that makes for a funny and entertaining bit of escapism.
Parental Guide:
The rating is for crude and sexual content, pervasive language, drug material, teen drinking and some violence.
AUDIO/VIDEO - By The Numbers:
REFERENCE = 92-100 / EXCELLENT = 83-91 / GOOD = 74-82 / AVERAGE = 65-73 / BELOW AVERAGE = under 65
**My audio/video ratings are based upon a comparative made against other high definition media/blu-ray disc.**
Audio: 88
(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)
Video: 86
(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)
21 Jump Street comes to Blu-ray Disc from Sony Pictures HE featuring 1080p AVC encoded video that has an average bitrate of 23 Mbps and lossless DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio sound that has an average bitrate of 3.4 Mbps.
This is a great looking new release title from Sony. Images onscreen exhibit plenty of fine rendering and crisp definition that on occasion rises to higher levels especially during close ups which can be very revealing. Long range shots appear resolute with good dimensional depth and notable object detail. Bright exterior segments are punchy with crisp dynamic whites and appreciable texture. Colors aren’t overly engaging as the reserved palette and limited level of saturation don’t offer much to catch the eye. Rendering is excellent though and the balance is kept in proper focus which mates well with the film’s overall visual perspective. Fleshtones are tonally divergent and appear lifelike in depiction. Blacks are respectable and shadow detail is revealing of appreciable levels of delineation in dark backgrounds and low lighting. I didn’t detect any deleterious artifacts or other video related anomalies.
The lossless soundtrack doesn’t consistently engage the entire surround platform however it has moments where it energizes the room and reproduces the source elements with aplomb. Dialogue has definitive presence with refined vocal character and excellent room penetration. Dynamic range is very good which lends subtle distinction to low level sounds and gravity to broader ones. A large portion of the film has little need for this as dialogue, atmospheric ambience and musical enhancement is conveyed with little fanfare. However there are several sequences that engage the entire system to briefly produce entertaining and room filling sound that is measurable. This soundtrack isn’t demonstration worthy but it readily delivers a satisfying listening experience that didn’t leave me disappointed.
Bonus Features:
Final Thoughts:
I didn’t have high expectations when I sat down to watch 21 Jump Street but am happy to report that it turned out to be a pleasant surprise. Stars Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill share excellent onscreen chemistry that compliments Michael Bacall’s farcically entertaining script. It doesn’t necessarily break new ground but takes a walk on the wild side both in stride and in form that makes for a worthwhile bit of escapism that just may surprise you. Fans can revel in this solid Blu-ray Disc offering from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment that features rewarding high definition video, excellent lossless surround sound and an above average assortment of bonus supplements that include a director/cast audio commentary and a cache of production featurettes. I had a great time with 21 Jump Street and recommend that you give it a spin on Blu-ray.
Ralph Potts
AVS Forum Blu-ray Reviews
Reference Review System:
JVC DLA-RS55 3D Ready 1080p High Definition Front Projector
Stewart Filmscreen - Studiotek 130 G3 100” 16x9 Screen
Onkyo PR-SC5508 THX Ultra 2 Audio/Video Processor
Sherbourn Technologies - 7/200 Seven Channel Amplifier
Oppo BDP-93 Universal Disc/3D capable Blu-ray Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
Panasonic DMP-BDT310 3D capable Blu-ray Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
Toshiba HD-XA2 HD DVD Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
Sony Playstation 3 Blu-ray disc Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
System Controller: Apple iPad/iRule Pro HD Universal Remote Control
Canton "Ergo" Series speakers
Axiom Audio QS8 Quadpolar speakers
SV Sound PB-13 Ultra (Rosenut finish)
APC AV S15BLK Power Conditioner/Surge Protector
Furman SPR-20i Stable Power Regulator
Wireworld, Better Cables (Silver Serpent) - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
Cool Components - CP-CP102 cooling package
The Review at a Glance: (max score: 5 )
Film:
Extras:
Audio/Video total rating:
( Max score: 100 )
87
Studio and Year: Columbia Pictures - 2012
MPAA Rating: R
Feature running time: 109 minutes
Genre: Comedy
Disc Format: BD-50
Encoding: AVC (MPEG-4)
Video Aspect: 2.40:1
Resolution: 1080p/24
Audio Format(s): English DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio, English, Spanish, French, Thai Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles: English, English SDH, French, Spanish, Chinese, Indonesian/Bahasa, Korean, Thai
Starring: Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill, Ice Cube, Brie Larson, Dave Franco, Rob Riggle
Directed by: Phil Lord & Christopher Miller
Music by: Mark Mothersbaugh
Written by: Michael Bacall
Region Code: A,B,C
Blu-ray Disc release Date: June 26, 2012
"They’re too old for this shift"
Film Synopsis:
Former high school foes turned rookie cop partners can’t catch a break – until they’re assigned to pose as students and bust a drug ring inside their old alma mater. Living like teenagers again, they slip back into their adolescent selves and risk the case – and their friendship - with hysterically disastrous results! Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum and Ice Cube star in this outrageously hilarious action-comedy!
My Take:
21 Jump Street centers around two rookie cops, who dating back seven years to the days when they shared the halls of the same high school, are polar opposites. One is nerdy, physically unsure of himself and not the epitome of what comes to mind when thinking of a cop and the other is athletic, a natural chick magnet and assuredly dim witted. Going through the police academy they decide to pair up, using one another’s strengths to help each other make it through. The pairing results in a friendship/partnership after graduation. With their first assignment not having gone so well they find themselves assigned to a brand new unit located at 21 Jump Street where young undercover cops are sent into schools in order to thwart drug dealing. Schmidt (Hill) and Jenko (Tatum) arrive at Jump Street which is headed by the seemingly always angry Captain Dickson (Ice Cube) who assigns them to their old high school in order to uncover the origins of a new hallucinogenic drug that recently caused the death of a student. They are given false identities/class assignments based upon their original transcripts, and sent in with instructions to split up, infiltrate, identify and above all else don’t get expelled.
While this all sounds very simple (in an undercover police sort of way) things don’t go exactly according to plan which leaves them to improvise, think on their feet and adjust on the fly. The trouble is, together they might equal one below average cop with little common sense but apart, there isn’t half of that. What ensues is one of the poorest excuses for an undercover operation in the history of the force. Luckily for them they get a little help from lady luck and a few unexpected friends.
When I saw the trailer for 21 Jump Street I couldn’t help but think, here we go, another Hollywood attempt to revamp/remake/parody a popular TV series that has long since seen the light of day. Let’s add the unlikely pairing of leads Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill and I surely didn’t have high hopes for anything but heaps of hokum with a side of Ice Cube laced dreck. Well I am here to tell you that 21 Jump Street turned out to be a pleasant surprise. It’s outlandish, over the top and at times downright silly but it is clearly obvious that from beginning to end that is exactly what screenwriter Michael Bacall and directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller were shooting for. The situational humor and dialogue is edgy with a flair for absurdity that at times had me giggling aloud.
My reservations about the paring of Tatum/Hill were laid to rest early on as I found their comedic chemistry to be spot on. There are moments clearly designed to be bigger than others but some of the smaller gags and character interaction proved pretty funny as well. Of the two I think that Channing Tatum’s embrace of his character’s innate shortcomings provided some of the best chuckles. The scene where Jenko and Schmidt fall under the influence of the hallucinogenic drug in front of the gym teacher just cracked me up. As things progress the envelope gets pushed pretty far but by that time you’re all in and prepared for anything. The supporting cast of characters capably contributes to the fun (although I quickly grew tired of Ice Cubes one note barking) and if you look closely you might even notice a couple of cameos. 21 Jump Street doesn’t break new ground but takes a walk on the wild side both in stride and in form that makes for a funny and entertaining bit of escapism.
Parental Guide:
The rating is for crude and sexual content, pervasive language, drug material, teen drinking and some violence.
AUDIO/VIDEO - By The Numbers:
REFERENCE = 92-100 / EXCELLENT = 83-91 / GOOD = 74-82 / AVERAGE = 65-73 / BELOW AVERAGE = under 65
**My audio/video ratings are based upon a comparative made against other high definition media/blu-ray disc.**
Audio: 88
(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)
- Dynamics:
- Low frequency extension:
- Surround Sound presentation:
- Clarity/Detail:
- Dialogue Reproduction:
Video: 86
(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)
- Resolution/Clarity:
- Black level/Shadow detail:
- Color reproduction:
- Fleshtones:
- Compression:
21 Jump Street comes to Blu-ray Disc from Sony Pictures HE featuring 1080p AVC encoded video that has an average bitrate of 23 Mbps and lossless DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio sound that has an average bitrate of 3.4 Mbps.
This is a great looking new release title from Sony. Images onscreen exhibit plenty of fine rendering and crisp definition that on occasion rises to higher levels especially during close ups which can be very revealing. Long range shots appear resolute with good dimensional depth and notable object detail. Bright exterior segments are punchy with crisp dynamic whites and appreciable texture. Colors aren’t overly engaging as the reserved palette and limited level of saturation don’t offer much to catch the eye. Rendering is excellent though and the balance is kept in proper focus which mates well with the film’s overall visual perspective. Fleshtones are tonally divergent and appear lifelike in depiction. Blacks are respectable and shadow detail is revealing of appreciable levels of delineation in dark backgrounds and low lighting. I didn’t detect any deleterious artifacts or other video related anomalies.
The lossless soundtrack doesn’t consistently engage the entire surround platform however it has moments where it energizes the room and reproduces the source elements with aplomb. Dialogue has definitive presence with refined vocal character and excellent room penetration. Dynamic range is very good which lends subtle distinction to low level sounds and gravity to broader ones. A large portion of the film has little need for this as dialogue, atmospheric ambience and musical enhancement is conveyed with little fanfare. However there are several sequences that engage the entire system to briefly produce entertaining and room filling sound that is measurable. This soundtrack isn’t demonstration worthy but it readily delivers a satisfying listening experience that didn’t leave me disappointed.
Bonus Features:
- Audio commentary with Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum
- (HD) 20 deleted scenes
- (HD) Gag reel - 5 minutes
- (HD) Cube-O-Rama – 2 minutes
- (HD) Back to school – 7 minute featurette
- (HD) Brothers in arms – 6 minute featurette
- (HD) Johnny Depp on the set – 4 minute featurette
- The Rob Riggle Show – 9 minutes
- (HD) Peter Pan on the freeway – 4 minute featurette
- Ultraviolet Digital Copy
Final Thoughts:
I didn’t have high expectations when I sat down to watch 21 Jump Street but am happy to report that it turned out to be a pleasant surprise. Stars Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill share excellent onscreen chemistry that compliments Michael Bacall’s farcically entertaining script. It doesn’t necessarily break new ground but takes a walk on the wild side both in stride and in form that makes for a worthwhile bit of escapism that just may surprise you. Fans can revel in this solid Blu-ray Disc offering from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment that features rewarding high definition video, excellent lossless surround sound and an above average assortment of bonus supplements that include a director/cast audio commentary and a cache of production featurettes. I had a great time with 21 Jump Street and recommend that you give it a spin on Blu-ray.
Ralph Potts
AVS Forum Blu-ray Reviews
Reference Review System:
JVC DLA-RS55 3D Ready 1080p High Definition Front Projector
Stewart Filmscreen - Studiotek 130 G3 100” 16x9 Screen
Onkyo PR-SC5508 THX Ultra 2 Audio/Video Processor
Sherbourn Technologies - 7/200 Seven Channel Amplifier
Oppo BDP-93 Universal Disc/3D capable Blu-ray Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
Panasonic DMP-BDT310 3D capable Blu-ray Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
Toshiba HD-XA2 HD DVD Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
Sony Playstation 3 Blu-ray disc Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
System Controller: Apple iPad/iRule Pro HD Universal Remote Control
Canton "Ergo" Series speakers
Axiom Audio QS8 Quadpolar speakers
SV Sound PB-13 Ultra (Rosenut finish)
APC AV S15BLK Power Conditioner/Surge Protector
Furman SPR-20i Stable Power Regulator
Wireworld, Better Cables (Silver Serpent) - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
Cool Components - CP-CP102 cooling package