Film Review - 21 Jump Street

TV shows being made into movies is nothing new, and is a trend that is unlikely to end any time soon. I can't say I ever remember watching 21 Jump Street, but was aware that Richard Grieco was expected to be a big star thanks to this show (evidently, not to happen) and that Johnny Depp played a character I mistakenly, though understandably, thought was called Handsome (I believe it was actually Hanson).
So it's fair to say I came at this afresh, and as concepts go, it's a pretty decent one. Recently trained police officers who look younger than their age are sent back to high school, undercover. Whether either Jonah Hill or Channing Tatum fit this description is not actually relevant, since even the film itself takes pleasure in pointing out that they don't.
Such meta references are actually part of this film's success. For example, when they shoot a petrol tanker, they- and we- are surprised when it doesn't explode, and Ice Cube addresses that he is the "angry black captain", etc. You get the gist, but they are careful not to overdo it.
But ultimately it's no more than your average, run-of-the-mill action comedy. It's a fun way to pass a few hours, but is unlikely to leave a lasting impression, nor have you flocking back to see if again.