Arriving at the Aroma of Christ Church they soon meet up with their new boss, no not the Korean Jesus but rather Captain Dickson (Ice Cube). First assignment is to pose undercover as students at Sagan High School. Someone is selling a synthetic drug known as HFS and one student has already over-dosed. It just so happened to be a white student! Inside joke, you’ll get it after you see the film! Schmidt now known as Doug and Jenko known as Brad are brothers and what was once a day when Jenko was the popular one has now become a new generation whereas Schmidt now rules. Brad blames ten years of Glee! Although Brad surely doesn’t become too popular when on his first day of school he punches a little gay black boy in the face. Not the earth friendly, politically correct thing to do in this day and age.
Doug meets Molly (Brie Larson), his new love interest in drama class and eventually gets turned on to Eric (Dave Franco), Brad’s love interest. No actually just kidding, although Brad aka Jenko does seem to have a little homoerotic side to his character! Eric ends up being a dealer and sells the brothers their first hit which turns out to be a very funny, ‘this is your brain on drugs’ moment. The brothers from other mothers throw a house party and soon work their way into the circle of Eric, gaining his trust. Although all things are not as one would think, Doug is Peter Pan, gets the girl, Brad is chilling with the nerds and discovers he likes chemistry. What else could go beyond the norm? Try a non-explosive car chase scene between Peter Pan, the chemistry man and a bunch of thugs that are all just a little too familiar. PETA will be all over this feather flying moment. Fried chicken anyone!
Like most kids that age the first time seems to happen at the Prom. In the end, at this Tijuana Prom night, out with the old and in with the new. Sex, drugs, rock and roll, limo wars, guns and roses all lead up to the meaning of friends, the passing of time and that final kiss. Next stop college!
Far from the seriousness of the television show this film takes a jump into comedy and it works. Nice direction, some funny and sometimes off the beaten path writing this story has a few dull moments and over the tops sequences but it will definitely keep your attention. Hill and Tatum play well together even though Hill steals the comedic side with a bit of his dry monotone antics. Tatum of course once again will capture the female eye in the audience. He actually does a nice job here in the comedy genre, a stretch from his rough or romantic fanfare. Now if his face can master the fine job his body is doing most of the time than we’d have an A grade on this theatrical test. Larson contributes to the story giving a fine performance but it is Franco that steals most of the scenes as the young leader of the school pack. The film also incorporates several other characters Mr. Walters (Rob Riggle) the teacher with a hate for Doug, Ms. Griggs (Ellie Kemper) the teacher with a love for Brad and Principle Dadier (Jake M. Johnson) who has just an overall hate for both of the so called brothers. You’ll notice a few surprises throughout this story that will have the older generation flashing back to fond memories of yesteryear. Overall this film should see a nice ride at the box office that is until the “Hunger Games” hit. Written and thoroughly enjoyed with two and half paws out of four by Jon Patch.
