22 Jump Street

My Grade:  A-

Seldom is there a comedy sequel that tops the original. But, when a comedy does huge numbers at the box office, then you and I both know that the studio is going to capitalize on that success and release a sequel as quickly as possible. That is what happened with 21 Jump Street and it’s more recent follow up, 22 Jump Street. The interesting part, though, is that the movie (in one of many very meta moments) acknowledges this fact.

The meta moments are what set this sequel apart from other comedy sequels. The characters equate the high school undercover mission from the first film to the actual first film and the college undercover mission to the second film. Jokes are made about the increased budget this time around and how they should do exactly the same thing as the first time around because that’s how sequels work. There is even a great moment where Jenko (Channing Tatum) mentions that they could go protect the white house or something (as he did as Cale in White House Down). These jokes work every time in the film. So, 22 Jump Street ends up being a sequel about sequels.

The jokes that don’t work all the time revolve around the “bromance” themes. The interesting thing is how the filmmakers shape the relationship between Jenko and  football star Zook (Wyatt Russell). They have a meet cute, the relationship develops, breaks down, and essentially follows all the tropes of a standard romantic comedy. I like that idea but it isn’t executed quite right to really work. The problem is how in your face it is. If it were more subtle and the audience was allowed to realize on their own that it was following the rom-com path... that would have been much better. But the film makes a point to let us know that their initial meeting is a “meet cute” and it’s an awkward moment.

What really shines in this film, though, is what shined in the first film:  the on screen chemistry between Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum. Comedically, they play extremely well off each other and their types are polar opposites which allows for some great comedic moments. Hill’s type is the not-very-physical, somewhat out of shape, awkward, emotional, sometimes effeminate nice guy. While Tatum’s type is the kind of dumb, physically impressive, bro-tastic meathead. That means these roles are crafted perfectly for these two actors and they are a blast to watch. I’ve got to say, though, that Ice Cube steals pretty much every scene he’s in as the angry Captain. The only part of the film in which I cried laughing was when he goes ballistic at a parent/student luncheon. Hilarious stuff.

The big surprise in the film, though, is that it actually throws some twists at you that make sense and work. It would be easy to fall back on comedy and the chemistry of the two leads and ignore the need for a solid story. 22 Jump Street does not make that mistake, though, which is quite refreshing. There are still some logical leaps that aren’t quite believable, but it’s a comedy so they are forgivable.

Overall, 22 Jump Street is a lot of fun and a solid follow up to one of the best action comedies to be released in recent history. Tatum and Hill shine in roles that seem to be written perfectly for them and the supporting cast steps up to the plate and provides laughs of their own. Add a solid story with some twists and turns and you have a really strong summer movie. I look forward to 23 Jump Street, which we all know will happen because 22 Jump Street has already done big numbers at the box office.