We had our doubts. A comedic take on the ’80s TV drama “21 Jump Street” from the “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” helmers Chris Miller and Phil Lord? Would this even work? The answer is, fuck yes.
A lengthy red-band trailer for “21 Jump Street” has hit the film‘s Facebook and it’s absolutely hilarious. Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum take on the lead roles as two former high school dolts (the flashback scene is great) who become bumbling partners on the police force. A drug bust nets them a primo gig working undercover at a high school, which seems to give them an opportunity to do their student lives right the second time around. It sounds simple enough, and this trailer delivers the goods, and it seems ‘Scott Pilgrim’ writer Michael Bacall has plenty left in his arsenal. If you’ve been a Tatum doubter, this should turn that around as he exceeds expectations, matching Hill beat for beat and the two share a pretty great chemistry. And the entire vibe is actually not too far removed from “Superbad,” though these guys are less desperate to please and more just woefully inept, totally uncool and clueless.
While we worry about all the best bits now being spoiled (really, a three minute trailer?), we have to say this one had us laughing. Ice Cube, Brie Larson, Jake Johnson, Dakota Johnson, Nick Offerman, Rob Riggle and Dave Franco (again playing smarmy) round out the cast with Johnny Depp making a cameo appearance. If you ever wanted to hear Ice Cube say “Twittersphere,” today is your lucky day. Watch below. “21 Jump Street” lands on March 16th.
