4.5 out of 5 stars
Family appropriateness rating: 2.3 out of 5 stars
Rated R
-Strong language throughout including the f-word in both sexual and non-sexual contexts.
-Some sexual content including shots of sex toys and naked blow-up dolls
-The official MPAA rating says there is brief nudity, but I do not recall any
-Some drug content including a portrayal of tripping
-Mild violence including gun shot wounds.
"22 Jump Street" takes the concept of the first film and keeps it fresh from beginning to end.
The film follows "21 Jump Street," which is a reboot of the 1987 television series. In it, Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Jenko (Channing Tatum) are two cops who — after getting into trouble — are assigned to the Jump Street program, where they go undercover in a high school. There is a new drug going around, and they need to pose as regular students to find out who is selling it so they can find out who the supplier is.
"22 Jump Street" has the same premise but in college. It knows it is a sequel. It knows its limitations, and it points them out brilliantly. It does not do this by breaking the fourth wall like in "The Wolf of Wall Street" or by saying "Hey, we are in a movie" like all of the Muppet films. Instead, it utilizes a character to talk about it in terms of the "Jump Street program." Part of this aspect is revealed in the trailer, but there is still a lot more to it.
One of the things that the first film was praised for is it shows how different society has gotten over the last ten years in terms of "What's cool." It addresses the fact that the bullies and jocks used to be the ones who were incredibly popular, but there has since been a shift in culture. Now, it is socially acceptable to be different and nerdy. Furthermore, no one likes bullies anymore.
This film addresses the fact that college students have a much different mentality than high schoolers. The main characters have essentially the same task, but it is more difficult than it was the first time. That is because everyone is more intelligent. When Schmidt or Jenko ask any student about the new drug, they are met with suspicion because both of them look older. Those in college are smart enough to see through their façade. Not only is this interesting, it also keeps the story fresh by introducing additional conflict.
A lot of R rated comedies get most of their laughs from gross-out humor and tons of sexual references. Sometimes these are forced because since it is rated R, they can get away with just about anything. What is great about the Jump Street movies is they are not like that. There are some crude jokes, but the films do not rely on it. Most of the humor — and the overall entertainment value — comes from the relationship between the two main characters.
They are very different people. Schmidt is a smart, nerdy guy who is not very fit. Jenko is the polar opposite. He is as dumb as a stick of butter, but he has the physical prowess of Spider-Man. This film addresses these differences and even asks why they are such good friends. Not only does this create some good humor, it creates the necessary drama to keep the audience invested in the characters.
This friendship partly works out because of the tight chemistry between Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum. From an article I read (here) it seems they are good friends in real life. This translates well on screen. Every scene in which they are together is fun to watch.
There is a certain twist in this movie that is very well done. It is unexpected, and it is set up so well that it is both believable and wildly hilarious. It alone is worth the price of admission.
If you are a fan of the first film, go see this one. It has the same premise, but it is just as fun.
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