22 Jump Street

 

After the unexpected success of 21 Jump Street I don’t think there were too many people unhappy with the announcement that a sequel was in the works.  The trick would be creating a sequel that, at the very least, equalled the first instalment.

PLOT:  As a new drug craze sweeps through the local college Jenko (Channing Tatum) and Schmidt (Jonah Hill) head back to school once more to infiltrate the dealer and catch the supplier.  END PLOT

The tone of 22 Jump Street follows that of its predecessor and is aware of the unspoken rule that sequels have a bigger budget and tend to be noisier and more ridiculous.  The self-awareness makes for some hilarious moments especially during the “keep the expenses down” car chase through the campus.

The theme of self-awareness goes further than clichéd plot tropes with the characters themselves being desperate to rehash the events of the first film.  Again, this works in 22 Jump Streets favour and stops the viewer from looking too deeply into the script.

America’s Sweetheart Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum are back and slot into their roles with ease.  The chemistry is still there and the film is at its best when the two are on screen together.  Ice Cube is back in an extended role and is great fun especially during his scenes with Hill.  On paper the cast seem an unlikely trio but they are the undisputed stars of the show.

I am notoriously miserable when it comes to comedies and I tend to see only a couple in the cinema every year.  22 Jump Street did not disappoint and I was in hysterics during Tatum’s “light bulb moment” and the “keep the expenses down” car case.

Overall 22 Jump Street is an excellent film and I had a bloody good time.  The only thing it lacked with the surprise factor which came with 21 Jump Street, nevertheless, expectations were high and it didn’t disappoint.

22 Jump Street is entertaining and the sequel ideas that played out during the closing credits made the film even more enjoyable.  Given my lack of interest in comedy it is a pretty safe bet to claim that 22 Jump Street will take that top comedy crown for 2014.  It gets 8/10.

23 Jump Street?  I won’t be unhappy...... unless it is a reboot.