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Phil Lord & Cristopher Miller
June 13, 2014
Even though they graduated from high school successfully as undercover agents, Jenko (Channing Tatum) and Schmidt’s lives are drastically changed by an inquiry at a nearby institution (Jonah Hill). Both men start to doubt their relationship when Jenko finds a comrade on the football team and Schmidt infiltrates the bohemian art-major environment. The two overgrown teenagers now have to learn how to act like grownups in addition to solving a crime.
It’s quite safe to assume that if you liked 21 Jump Street, you’ll appreciate seeing officers Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Jenko reunited (Channing Tatum). The movie that Phil Lord and Chris Miller co-directed basically makes fun of itself for using the same approach that worked so well for the low-budget original. A bigger, louder, and more expensive version of the beloved first film, 22 Jump Street takes everything you liked about it and amps it up.
But while Hill and Tatum’s chemistry helps the movie succeed, 22 Jump Street doesn’t always click. The movie is about 20 to 30 minutes too long, and while I wouldn’t go so far as to label it homophobic, the film’s overt exploitation of the bromance element does start to feel a little uncomfortable as it goes on. This might as well be the case because the angle isn’t that amusing and it feels especially obvious when certain lines hit with a “thud.”
While many movies have attempted to mock themselves for taking such an approach, the great majority have fallen flat. This picture succeeds where so many others have fallen short due to a combination of the tremendous chemistry between Hill and Tatum and the literary skills of Lord/Miller. I can proudly say I would like to see a “23 Jump Street”, and yes, I have seen the Hangover series, I know the risks.
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