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Here's a look at the new movie from this week, a clever re-make in "21 Jump Street"

21 Jump Street

Starring: Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill, Rob Riggle, Ice Cube, Dave Franco, and Brie Larson

Synopsis: In the late 1980s, the TV show “21 Jump Street” hit the air. The idea was that it featured a squad of young looking officers that could pass as high school and college students to go under cover. Looking back now that may not seem the most plausible plot, but it worked and had a niche following during its run from 1987-1991. The show was probably most notable for the star whose career it jump-started — Johnny Depp. That has only added somewhat to the mystique surrounding the show. And, in this era where everything old is new again, it makes sense for Hollywood to revisit this show. For said re-makes to work, they have to take the right approach. Treat the source material with too much reverence, and you could end up turning off fans. Not enough reverence and you can draw criticism. The film version of “21 Jump Street” — starring Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum — does a nice job of riding that fine line, honoring the show for what it was while coming up with a hilarious take on the material that creates a vision of its own. One of the best decisions the makers of this film had was to abandon the serious, dramatic tone of the show and make this film a comedic parody. It’s a concept that’s become less believable over time, and the film does a nice job of acknowledging that while creating a narrative all its own. Hill co-created the story for the film with screenwriter Michael Bacall (“Scott Pilgrim vs. The World”), and it works very well. Directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller do a nice job of balancing the comedic elements and the action elements to create an enjoyable ride. The film doesn’t take itself too seriously, either, which helps keep a breezy feel to the material and the world of the film. One of the best aspects of the film is the clever way it pays tribute to the show and acknowledges how most people feel about the constant flow of re-makes. There is a hilarious speech — offered by Nick Offerman — that sets the tone early, and it’s fun to see the show’s original stars — in their original characters — pop up along the way. Particularly delightful is the cameo from Depp and Peter DeLuise — who played his partner on the original show. The cameo is perfectly timed, well executed, and one of the true delights about the film. Tatum and Hill do a nice job in the leading roles, creating a nice rapport and carrying the comedic elements of the film. The supporting cast also fills out the production nicely, with Franco adding some funny moments and Larson doing well in her scenes too. There are a myriad of funny supporting actors, too, including Rob Riggle, who plays a truly misguided gym teacher at the school and Ellie Kemper, who plays a teacher with a special interest in Jenko. “21 Jump Street” is a re-make that pays tribute to its source material while doing something completely new that resonates with a modern audience. It’s a film all its own, which is a feat in and of itself these days. It’s funny, well-executed, and an entertaining ride.

Rating: R for crude and sexual content, pervasive language, drug material, teen drinking and some violence. Enter with caution.

Verdict: Three stars out of four.

Upcoming Releases:

Friday, March 23 — "The Hunger Games"

Friday, March 30 — "Wrath of the Titans," "Mirror, Mirror"