Analysis of a teen film

21 Jump Street 


Genre 
An american action comedy

Story line
21 Jump street is about two police officers Schmidt and Jenko who are forced to relive high school when they are assigned to go undercover as high school students to prevent the outbreak of a new synthetic drug and arrest its supplier. In order to remain undercover they are both given new identities and personalities - their undercover names are Brad and Doug McQuaid.  Jenk and  Schmidt are former classmates who meet again at police academy. Schmidt was a chubby nerd obsessed with Eminem while Jenko was a popular but underachieving jock. However in there new identities Schmdit is a popular individual studying Drama whereas Jenko is a nerd who studies science. 

Target Audience 
The film aimed mainly at teenagers or young adults as the main characters are undercover as teenagers at high school. It appeals too teenagers as teenage events such as Proms, exams, crazy parties are all included  therefore teenagers can relate to the topics explored in the film. 

Representation of characters 

Schmit is a chubby nerd who is used to be bullied during his time at high school as he was a nerd who loved science, his chubby appearance didn't do him any justice either and this explained why he wasn't so popular with the ladies. This was an accurate representation of how nerds/ chubby children are currently treated in high school. During his police investigation his identity was completely changed to the exact opposite of himself - he studied drama instead of science and begins to take the more social approach to high school rather than the educational approach. As a result, Schmidt manages to fit in with the popular kids and takes a romantic interest in Eric's friend Molly. This challenges the stereotype that you have to be a jockey in order to receive popularity and chicks as Schmit acheives this despite his chubby unfashionable appearance. He gets caught in this life to an extent where he almost loses his close friend Jenko due to dilemmas with his prom date and spending more time with his popular friends such as Eric the drug dealer. 

Jenko had no problems back in school as he a handsome jockey who received plenty attention back at school however this alll changed when he received his new identity as he studied science instead of sports and drama. Attempting to remain undercover Jenko spent alot time with nerds and without realising he was slowly becoming a nerd as time progressed despite his handsome appearance. Again this challenged the common stereotype of a nerd as you sin't have to wear glasses, or be ugly to be a nerd. 

Themes explored within the film

• Prom 
• Relationships  
• drugs 
• parties 
• school fights 
• Crime