After making their way through high school (twice), big changes are in store for officers Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Jenko (Channing Tatum) when they go deep undercover at a local college. But when Jenko meets a kindred spirit on the football team, and Schmidt infiltrates the bohemian art major scene, they begin to question their partnership. Now they don’t have to just crack the case — they have to figure out if they can have a mature relationship. If these two overgrown adolescents can grow from freshmen into real men, college might be the best thing that ever happened to them.
21 Jump Street seemed like a bad idea; a reboot/adaptation of an old TV show reeks of Hollywood lacking original ideas. Surprisingly, the film was a lot of fun, largely because of how self-aware it was, mocking its own existence/premise and delivering a sharp, clever comedy with a great duo in Tatum and Hill. As enjoyable as that was, the idea of a sequel still aroused suspicions. Is it necessary? Can they keep it as fresh, or even match the first, let alone surpass it? Well, I was wrong to doubt, because 22 Jump Street is a hell of a fun movie that probably surpasses the first in every way.
The self-referential themes of the first movie continue here, but the focus switches to mocking the (typically) abysmal nature of sequels. After a recap, we learn the “Jump Street Program” was a surprising success, so they have been given a bigger budget and expectations are great. Here their college assignment offers a rich playground for comedic opportunities. The plot does play out like the first, which is intentional. There is a self-awareness about sequels, and it is mined for hilarity to its maximum potential. There are consistent references to “doing it exactly the same as last time,” but it does surprise occasionally. Where the predictability pays off is in giving the character and comedy moments the spotlight. The film bombards you with meta-gags, slapstick comedy, and visual puns. The tight script is a fast-paced endeavor that doesn’t let up.
At its core, 22 Jump Street explores the “bromance” between Hill and Tatum. A bond solidified through their time in the first movie, the relationship is tested here, with each being drawn to a different circle of people and away from each other. Oh and the whole “investigating a drug operation” thing happens at the same time, but that is somewhat inconsequential. It’s about friendship, but the homoerotic nature of their circumstance is very much played for laughs.
Directors Lord and Miller continue their superb run after 21 Jump Street, Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, and The Lego Movie: all are films that sound like a bad idea on paper, but somehow they managed to craft them into entertaining and clever films. Here, as ever, they balance their clever tongue-in-cheek approach with a real charm and warmth. Elements of 22 Jump Street draw from many sources ranging from Old School, Animal House, Bad Boys 2, and Tokyo Drift to Point Break. It is so crammed full of pop culture and movie references that repeat viewing is sure to be rewarded. Casual references to John Woo’s penchant for doves and even a tribute to Benny Hill catch the eye and feel very much in keeping with the spirit of the film rather than forced in.
Special mention must go to those involved in the editing and sound mixing. The film has a frenetic pace and the timing is just note perfect. It probably employs the greatest use of the “ding” sound effect I have ever heard in a film. Coupled with a great script and cast, the film has an impeccable sense of pace and timing. This is probably the most entertaining film I have seen this year since The Lego Movie.
As in the first film, Tatum shows great comedic timing and a lot of heart, and there really is something endearing about his work here. Jonah Hill is still the more serious of the two but does get a bit more opportunity to get a laugh. There is subtlety to his work in more emotional scenes, but both are at their best when playing off each other. It’s not all Tatum and Hill, though, as the film features an outstanding host of supporting characters. None are used to greater effect than Ice Cube as Captain Dickson: if you thought he was mad in the first film, he cranks it up to eleven here and with very good reason too. There are welcome returns from Dave Franco and Rob Riggle while Jillian Bell (Workaholics) adds a funny, acerbic presence. Also, The Lucas Brothers as Kenny and Keith Yang make an amusing addition playing up an ongoing twin gag that is not overdone. Perhaps one niggle is that some of the additional cast is somewhat wasted. Nick Offerman makes an impact with his limited screen time, but Jon Benjamin and Patton Oswalt are criminally underused. In all, the film is so fast paced and packed it’s hard to complain.
Lord and Miller have done it again, turning in a film that could be formulaic and forgettable but instead is incredibly smart, full of heart, and hilarious. The laughs are louder, the action is bigger and more explodey, and the bromance is more intense than ever before. It also delivers an end credit sequence that is far more entertaining than many movies I have seen this year. Get yourself to 22 Jump Street ASAP. “Something cool!”