22 Jump Street – Will Make You Jump, Jump…
By Reba Rocket
Full disclosure: I am not generally a fan of movie sequels. I find they sometimes ride the coattails of their predecessor, and rest on the laurels of the excitement previously generated. This is not the case with “22 Jump Street.” The film is the second “Jump Street” project in one of the many directorial pairings of Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. The two masterfully guide returning ensemble cast from the original; Channing Tatum as Jenko, Jonah Hill as Schmidt, Ice Cube as Captain Dickson, and Nick Oferman as Deputy Chief Hardy. Jenko and Schmidt (again) bring plenty of goofy, police investigating escapades, but this time to college, instead of high school.
With repeated jabs of self-deprecating humor, the film playfully pays homage to both the original “21 Jump Street” television show and film by constantly making ironic, iconic references. The maestro of the digs is Oferman, whose delivery is deadpan, and loaded with precise comedic timing. He conveys biting degradation to both the small- and big-screen themes and characters without even a hint of emotion, save disdain, that leaves the audience in stitches. His subtle acting nuances are a beautiful contrast to Ice Cube, whose well placed, bull-in-a-china-shop wrath reaches levels beyond the ire he portrayed in the first film.
The film is sprinkled with series costar newcomers like Wyatt Russell (Zook), Jimmy Tatro (Rooster), and Amber Stevens (Maya), but it is Jillian Belle (Mercedes) who absolutely steals the show as one of the key university coeds. Belle supplies a brazen, no-holds-barred, strong performance. She has one, slight, nanosecond, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it instant where you might notice a hint of what happens right before those DVD outtakes where actors lose it, crack up, fall down laughing, but it is barely perceptible. Considering what it must be like to work with deliriously funny actors like Hill and Channing, the gaffe is forgivable.
The action, chase, explosive “cops and robbers” scenes are incredibly well done, and never look contrived or campy, even when they go awry. The stunt work is stellar. Where some recent summer blockbusters have less than up-to-par CGI, this film truly raises the bar, and then jumps right over it!
There are some great cameos (sorry, no spoilers from this writer), which are well-placed and surprising. In a spoof on itself, “22 Jump Street” reveals a few of unexpected twists and role-model moments, feel good messages. While I don’t recommend the film for very young children (the film has its share of violence, sexual situations, and graphic language), there are some great life lessons for teens accompanied by an adult, as the movie is rated “R”. There are certainly plenty of predictable antics; Hill’s nerdy charm, Channing’s physique and kinetic talent, whodunit storyline, and striking action and stunts, which he seems to do much of himself. “22 Jump Street” is a great flick for dates, time away from the world, group of friends, and even family. Stay until after the last credit rolls, so you can enjoy the movie’s last laugh.