22 Jump Street, 2014.
Directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller.
Starring Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum, Ice Cube, Dave Franco, Rob Riggle, Nick Offerman, Amber Stevens, Peter Stormare, Wyatt Russell, Jillian Bell, Ashlyn McEvers, and Richard Grieco.
SYNOPSIS:
Following their successful high school undercover gig, Jenko and Schmidt go undercover at a State college to stop the selling of the new drug WhyPhy.
21 Jump Street was a rare comedy that never fell flat for a second and delivered on every joke. The second time around is no different and 22 Jump Street is a roaring success. The plot is identical to the first, the only difference being that Jenko fits in and Schmidt feels left out and it works expertly. The duo are constantly reminding us that this is a sequel and it’s going to have more explosions, a bigger budget and the same thing is going to happen. In lesser hands this would have fallen into all the pitfalls of a traditional buddy comedy sequel; but with Phil Lord and Chris Miller at the helm, it keeps you entertained throughout. True it does run a tad too long, but its explosive finale and exceptional credits scene will revitalise you.
The chemistry between Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum is still as electrifying as it was in the first film and each joke the deliver is on point. As with the first film, it’s Channing Tatum that is the stand out with his expert comic timing combined with his ability to take the piss out of himself and have fun with the material. It seems hard to remember the time when most men would have avoided a Channing Tatum movie like the plague, but he’s found his forte as a comedic actor. He also has the physical ability to do great stunt work and still keep his comic timing on form.
Jonah Hill as has his moments as the insecure Schmidt, including some exceptional slam poetry to rival So I Married an Axe Murderer, and a confrontation with Captain Dickson (Ice Cube) that I won’t spoil for you. The lack of character development in the film is obvious, with Schmidt still being insecure and weak, and then there’s Jenko who is still the idiotic jock type. But it doesn’t matter, as each joke hits the mark and so does each ludicrous action piece.
Ice Cube’s Captain Dickson also takes on a larger role and it’s hugely entertaining. True he just shouts most of his lines, but the chemistry between the cast is undeniable and makes for a hugely entertaining comedy.
The supporting cast are side-lined slightly and the three high school geeks from the first film have glorified cameos, and villain Peter Stormare has little to work with other than a scowl and pink rucksack. Wyatt Russell plays a twin for Jenko and although there initial scenes together are funny and perfectly timed, it does start to wane as the film progresses.
But this Hill and Tatum’s show and I for one hope that we get to see more of Jenko and Schmidt’s shenanigans and Lord knows where they’ll end up next.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★
Helen Murdoch
Originally published June 8, 2014. Updated April 12, 2018.
