Critics Consensus: 21 Jump Street is Certified Fresh

Plus, The Kid with a Bike is Certified Fresh, and Casa de mi padre is mostly silly.

This week at the movies brings only one new wide release: 21 Jump Street, starring Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum as a pair of detectives who go back to school. What do the critics have to say?

21 Jump Street

85%

In theory, a revamp of 21 Jump Street doesn't sound all that promising. In practice, critics say, it's a surprisingly good movie, one that successfully satirizes its source material while plumbing the depths of its well-developed characters. Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum star as a pair of cops who go undercover as high school students to bust a drug ring. However, as their investigation progresses, our heroes find they still carry plenty of baggage from their own school days. The pundits say the Certified Fresh 21 Jump Street is a raucous comedy that's also surprisingly heartfelt, thanks to the deft comic interplay between Hill and Tatum. (Check out this week's Total Recall, in which we run down memorable action TV shows that were adapted into movies.)

Also opening this week in limited release:

  • Gerhard Richter Painting, a documentary about the great German artist at work, is at 100 percent.
  • The Wise Kids, a coming-of-age dramedy about a trio of high schoolers dealing with life's uncertainties, is at 100 percent.
  • The Dardenne brothers' The Kid with a Bike, a drama about a lonely pre-teen who bonds with a kindly hairdresser, is at 96 percent.
  • Natural Selection, a dramedy about a devoutly religious woman who discovers her husband fathered a child out of wedlock, is at 83 percent.
  • Jeff, Who Lives at Home, starring Jason Segel and Ed Helms in a comedy about an aimless man searching for meaning in his life, is at 72 percent.
  • Free Men, a historical drama about an Algerian man trying to rescue Jews in Nazi-occupied Paris, is at 63 percent.
  • Detachment, starring Adrien Brody as a substitute teacher who makes an impact on his students despite his troubled personal life, is at 59 percent.
  • Casa de mi padre, starring Will Ferrell in a Spanish-language comedy about a mild-mannered ranch hand who gets caught up in a drug war, is at 38 percent (check out our interview with Ferrell here).
  • Delicacy, starring Audrey Tautou as a lovelorn woman who falls for a thoroughly average guy in her office, is at 37 percent.
  • The FP, a sci-fi comedy about a young man competing in a violent video game competition, is at 25 percent.
  • Seeking Justice, starring Nicolas Cage and January Jones in a thriller about a man who goes on a mission to avenge an attack on his wife, is at 28 percent.
  • Reuniting The Rubins, a comedy about an eccentric family's wacky Passover gathering, is at zero percent.

Comments

Dave J

Dave J

Kind of unexpected thing to happen to a Channing Tatum movie for it's just a matter of time before he'd have at least one real positive film in his belt!

Mar 15 - 04:58 PM

Dave J

Dave J

And I still can't f-ckin wait for "The Raid: The Redemption" happening next week and totally jealous that some people had already seen this movie already on some movie festivals!

Mar 15 - 05:10 PM

redrooster0

Charlie Voelker

Agreed, The Raid looks amazing

Mar 15 - 05:12 PM

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Mar 19 - 04:10 AM

Jonathan Edward O.

Jon Owens

Ughhh whenever I see that movie title I think it says Red Dead Redemption!

Mar 15 - 11:49 PM

Manuel Granados Vargas

Manuel Granados Vargas

Sean Bean = John Marsten. They need to get it done.

Mar 16 - 12:10 PM

redrooster0

Charlie Voelker

I'll be seeing 21 Jump Street because I always enjoy a good comedy. The Detachment rating is a little depressing, I've been waiting for it for a long time. I love Brody but it sounds like it's just a weak movie overall.

Mar 15 - 05:11 PM

Corr

Alexander Sciury

From watching the trailers, 21 Jump Street looked hilarious. I can't wait to see it.

Mar 15 - 05:28 PM

Sean D.

Sean D

I...what? I... I am very surprised. A 'fresh' rating for 21 Jump Street. I thought it was going to be rotten for sure. Good on them
Also, there is another rotten Nic Cage movie? IMPOSSIBLE!

Mar 15 - 06:07 PM

Lenny M.

Lenny Monroe

Even though 21 Jump Street got a Fresh rating, I'm pretty sure it's still gonna be shit.

Another weak weekend at the movies, guess I'll be staying home and playing Mass Effect 3 some more.

Mar 15 - 06:15 PM

Not L.

Not Likely

Yeah I guess socializing on a weekend night is out of the question?

Mar 16 - 10:18 AM

Brian Gordon

Brian Gordon

Compared to playing Mass Effect 3? Definitely out of the question.

Mar 16 - 01:58 PM

Lenny M.

Lenny Monroe

Lmao

Mar 16 - 09:14 PM

Jake Cecena

Jake Cecena

21 Jump Street is Certified Fresh? Didn't see that coming. But really, it does look like a hilarious movie. I might actually see it this weekend. I could take or leave Casa de mi Padre. Really? Will Ferrell talking in Spanish for an hour and a half? Kinda sounds boring. Jeff, Who Lives at Home looks interesting. I might rent it when it's On Demand. On another note, only one more week till The Hunger Games comes out! I can't wait! :D

Mar 15 - 06:42 PM

Josh Perry

Josh Perry

Jeff Who Lives At Home looks great.

Mar 15 - 06:51 PM

John Doysabas

John Doysabas

cant wait for its blu release

Mar 15 - 06:58 PM

Matthew Ekstrom

Matthew Ekstrom

I was not expecting this movie to get good reviews. I was thinking something more along the lines of a 30% or a 40&.

Mar 15 - 07:08 PM

Janson Jinnistan

Janson Jinnistan

These are some of the most bland, tepid 'fresh' reviews I've seen for an uninteresting nostalgia comedy. Ebert says it's 'pretty good'. My favorite is Dana Stevens - "21 Jump Street makes a virtue of low expectations, like an underachieving high school burnout coasting on his modest reserves of charm." Hey, calm down, ma'am! What, is Jonah Hill the new Seth Rogan now? These people are talking about this film like they would talk about their uninteresting nephews, surprised at being able to tolerate them. Well, good thing it doesn't have any competition, with "Casa de mi Padre" and "Jeff Who Lives at Home" limited in release. I don't really like the Duplass brothers (they also made a dumb Jonah Hill film that critics pretended to like), but I got to give some testicular credit to Ferrell for doing a movie his fans will have to read. Like his hilarious Old Milwaukee ads, this is pure gonzo f#ck-all. Critics didn't like "Nacho Libre" either and that's still Jack Black's finest film, his 'Altman-Popeye', if you will.

How the Hell is The FP not playing in every single theater in the nation?!? "Two rival gangs feud for control of rural wasteland Frazier Park ('The FP') in the deadly arena of competitive dance-fight video game" - Sweet Sweet Jesus! "JTRO must find the courage to return and restore order in a ruthless battle for revenge that can only leave one man dancing." 25%?!?! Bitter heathens!!! Narrated by JAMES REMAR!!! Written and directed by the actor credited as 'Brick's Boyfriend' in MacGruber, Mother Moses how bad could it possibly BE?!? The rest of you go enjoy your little odd couple prom.

What's left? Richter might be fascinating. Anyone who's seen "Mystery of Picasso" or "La Belle Noiseuse" should know how exciting painters can be. The Dardenne Brothers are always interesting. "Detachment" has potential - a definite rental. "Seeking Justice" looks hilarious - Nicholas Cage is now taking the scripts Liam Neeson is rejecting, and January Jones is probably the blandest actress who's apparently convinced someone in Hollywood of her sex appeal.

I had no idea Pussy Galore was Jewish. L'chaim!

Mar 15 - 07:08 PM

King  S.

King Simba

It's simply one of flaws of the tomatometer system. Films that nealy everyone agrees are good but not great can be ranked higher than love/hate type films. 21 Jump Street is a fine example of the former. It currently has a higher rating than Tree Of Life, and yet it's average rating is a little more tepid at 7.1 (compare to say the 8.1 average rating of Tree Of Life).

Even so, this is still a pleasant surprise. I must admit I've been on the fence regarding this film (Channing Tatum is just so bland), but now I just might check it out.

Mar 16 - 01:19 AM

Janson Jinnistan

Janson Jinnistan

Fair enough. I must admit to enjoying hating on the film a bit. It might be pleasant, but I won't know until video (at least). I just don't have any interest. I think it's time to finally catch that "John Carter" matinee.

Mar 16 - 01:34 AM

Max Houdek

Max Houdek

hate to break it to you but a film that more people enjoy are usually seen as better whether a certain person liked it better or less than someone else who liked it doesnt really have anything to do with it from a critical perspective because hey im not the same as that person who really liked it, but if more people like it than i have a better chance of liking it....see how that works there? glad i could help

Mar 16 - 04:14 PM

Janson Jinnistan

Janson Jinnistan

Wish you could write. I guess that whole thinking for yourself thing didn't pan out for you, mutton, but good thing there'll be lots of other muttons laughing so all you got to do is laugh when you hear them laugh and then you won't even feel bad for not knowing how you feel, K? K.

Mar 16 - 04:47 PM

rebranded001

rebranded001 *

Then let's help him out. You're a pedant and it's hilarious that you picked up a thesaurus to find a synonym for calling people "sheep" thinking that would impart some sort of intellectual credibility to your message board review.

Enjoy your writing, though. Life is short, and we'd hate to think you wouldn't leave behind something on this earth to be remembered by; your legacy certainly won't come in the form of children because that would imply you had actual intercourse at some point in your existence.

Given half a chance and a pint of alcohol in a very-willing woman, it's even doubtful that you could maintain an erection knowing that she might have seen "21 Jump Street" at some point in her life and your ill-fated offspring might have the taint of mainstream culture in its disgusting, sluggish blood.

Mar 16 - 09:16 PM

Janson Jinnistan

Janson Jinnistan

Who knew that choosing not to watch a movie this weekend would prove so offensive? I sure am sorry if you feel it's affected you in any way, but it is interesting that you think participating in a comment section is tantamount to legacy-defining testimony. I thought we were just talking about movies on here, rather than establishing our existence. Some doctors might call that "projection". And it would be fine if you had anything to actually say about "21 Jump Street" in any kind of sincere estimate, some demonstration of its personal value. Or you could say that my dismissal was unfair - you might even be right. But, no, like a desperate, threatened dog you dive straight for my BALLS, attacking my sex and seed. Hell, I suppose that's about all you got in you. Go get yourself a beer. I certainly don't want to judge a film based on the the fact that it appeals to such vicious little shits who substitute ad hominem for opinion, but, then again, if you were capable of expressing your own opinion, you wouldn't be so threatened by mine, chump.

Mar 17 - 04:59 AM

Matanuki

Matanuki .

And like magic, you've rendered them dumber than their unreadable posts already have.

Mar 17 - 02:34 PM

Brandon Yee

Brandon Yee

I though 21 Jump Street was gonna be terrible from the looks of the trailers and a cheesy attempt at being funny.
But form all these crazy reviews and friends saying it was hilarious, I'll be seeing it this weekend!

Mar 15 - 07:24 PM

Jaxx Raxor

Adam Jones

I think 21 Jump Street is benefiting a lot from low expectations: critics are giving it decent marks because they expected it to be bad but it's better than they anticipate.

Mar 15 - 09:11 PM

Trufire

Josh Hines

I watched 21 Jump Street before release and can definitely say that it was very funny. Probably in part due to low expectations but it's a movie that I would want to see again because of some great one liners and the chemistry between Tatum and Hill is great. Also, practically all the stuff you see in the trailers is in the first 20 minutes of the movie leaving a heck of a lot left to be seen which made the whole movie experience feel more fresh since I didn't keep expecting to see certain scenes. As for Mr. Depps cameo, they played it quite well. Highly recommend giving this movie a chance.

Mar 16 - 06:25 AM

Andrew Rossi

Andrew Rossi

i was really surprised when i was seeing the early reviews for jump street. i had very low expectations for it but now i may have to see it. jeff, who lives at home looks pretty good too. nice to see it with a fresh rating.

Mar 16 - 07:45 AM

BrianMN

Brian Nallick

Nothing this week for me. :(
Off topic and a personal rant...
Has anyone seen the trailer for Dark Shadows?
I have done nothing but defent the Burton/Depp collaborations forever but this..THIS monstrosity is it for me.
NOT seeing it.

Mar 16 - 09:36 AM

King  S.

King Simba

It seems like Dark Shadows is following the same path as 21 Jump Street. Both take somewhat serious shows and make them more comedic so that it seems like they're almost making fun of the shows rather than being true adaptations, which has caused severe hatred from fans, though despite this both were really well recieved at early screenings.

As for The Dark Shadows trailer, I'll admit the humour is a little weak (typical clash of different time periods) but Depp's delivery makes up for that. He really seems to be enjoying himself judging by the trailers, while it'll be interesting to see Burton doing a comedy, as he hasn't done one since Mars Attacks, which is kinda strange, giving that his first two films were comedies.

Mar 16 - 03:42 PM

Matanuki

Matanuki .

(sigh) I still can't believe they turned 21 Jump St. into a cheap buddy comedy with absolutely no resemblence to the show beyond a tenuously similar premise. I wasn't aware there were so many contortionists in Hollywood. Who knew I could get paid millions just to stick my head up my ass every few years!

Mar 16 - 02:29 PM

rebranded001

rebranded001 *

You're disappointed about doing it for free every day then, I see.

Mar 17 - 09:43 PM

Janson Jinnistan

Janson Jinnistan

Still sniffin for balls, I see.

Mar 19 - 07:42 AM

Raul Magana

Raul Magana

Never expected a Channing Tatum to get a Fresh rating. Congrats to him. *escalating applause*

Mar 16 - 02:47 PM

DBrock

David E-Brock

those characters just look too retarded!the trailer made me think this is so dumb i have to see it...in a good way i think. I like the idea of a jock and a dork being just both equally as stupid...you DO have the right to be an attorney...i mean that was so dumb but I laughed so hard..and fukin Ron Swanson is their chief...awesome...gotta see this

Mar 17 - 12:40 AM

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