22 Jump Street

Review by: John Delia

Taking step two, the sequel 22 Jump Street sends the boys to college.  The hilarious comedy extends the life of the series by one and puts Jump Street on a road to a possible franchise.  Sit through to the end just as the credits roll for some very funny poster takes on possible new chapters in the lives of Schmidt and Jenko.  If 22 Jump Street’s box-office tops their first release, then it would only seem right to give us a shot at 23 Jump Street.

In this second silly adventure, we find Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Jenko (Channing Tatum) being teamed up again after their first successful crime bust at the local high school. It may have cost the department a pretty penny, but the boys came through with flying colors. Things have changed a bit though and the Russians have taken back their church at 21 Jump Street so Captain Dickson (Ice Cube) has set up his headquarters across the street at 22 Jump Street.  Complete with a fabulous clear cube shaped office (Um, like an ice cube?), the police head has taken advantage of a raise and a lot of cash to fix up his new sub-station.

The boys check in and Dickson informs them that instead of high school it’ll be college where they will try to find out who killed a co-ed and who’s passing around a new illegal drug called “Why Phy.”  Under assumed names, they’re hesitant at first, but when they start getting into the swing of college life it’s “back to school” at another level. Schmidt hooks up with cute and comely Maya (Amber Stevens) while Jenko goes frat boy to help their cover.  When Jenko feels he’s found the drug pusher and Schmidt gets a lead from Maya, the two are hot on the trail of another big bust, or are they?

Using pages from their last throw down, Schmidt and Jenko turn up in some very sketchy situations that put them in near death gun fights.  Directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller keep their film action packed, whether fighting drug kingpins on campus or creating excitement on the football field.  Yes, the football field where Tatum gets a chance to be a wide receiver for the college team. While they have him showing off his pecks and abs, Jonah gets girl duty finding himself in a sexual hook-up with Maya. He also has to take some ridicule from Jillian Bell as Mercedes ( the roommate of the murdered girl) in some very uproarious scenes.

The comedic acting gets way over the top and that’s a good thing.  With straight faces and delivering some very silly dialogue, Tatum and Hill show they can keep an audience in stitches. Jonah with his patented look and show of doubt following most every statement gives a great comedic performance. More confident about himself, he gives off airs that he’s learned a lot about being a cop since his last outing at the high school.  When the chips are down, he’s there for Jenko’s cover and he’d even take a bullet for him.

While Channing Tatum has always put his physique first and follows with a cool personality, here he’s a blend of both.  He makes his character an ordinary jock who wants to belong to a fraternity and blow the roof off while parting.  When his frat brother Zook (Walter Russell) becomes the center of his investigation, he goes the extra mile to earn his trust for a final showdown.  From working out in the gym to playing football against the college’s number one rival, you just know Tatum is having a sweet time with the role.

During the credits of 22 Jump Street, you’ll be treated to a dozen or so posters of upcoming films that are take-offs on the movie.  In a parody for their next assignments, the prospects range from going undercover as doctors in a hospital (23 Jump Street) to firemen. I say if this film makes a bundle, then we will see the dynamic partners again for another turn at catching the bad guys.

22 Jump Street has been rated R by the MPAA for the following reasons: language throughout, sexual content, drug material, brief nudity and some violence. There’s no holding back and if you’ve seen the movie The Neighbors, you already have some idea of the copious off-color language, rude statements and drug use that’s in this wild comedy.

FINAL ANALYSIS: A fun film for adults that want to turn on their silly side. (B)