22 Jump Street
Directors: Phil Lord and Christopher Miller
Cast: Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill
Length: 122 mins
Country: USA
Having only seen 21 Jump Street a week before the release of it’s sequel, it’s fair to say that I was excited at the prospect of its success. 21 Jump Street was funny, new, and its comedy felt somewhat similar to classic English humour with a touch of American oddity. However, I was hugely disappointed by what graced the screen in the form of 22 Jump Street. The sparky comedy, unique story-line and quirky characters had been lost in a sea of stereotypes that rested on the success of the first film, its biggest flaw.
I felt like I was watching a re-edited version of 21 Jump Street – and this is exactly what is wrong with the entire film. Don’t get me wrong, I laughed, I laughed a lot. But I laughed at the expense of the first film, of the great moments it left behind that this film sought to re-create. The plot centres around Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Jenko (Channing Tatum), both of whom I credit highly as actors, (especially Jonah with his comedic flare however stereotyped he may now of become). Those that have seen 21 Jump Street will be aware of the lack of difference between the two plots.
22 Jump Street sees the protagonists being sent into a university (previously a high school) to attempt to solve a case surrounding a new-found drug, with Jenko being successful and Schmidt being the ‘loser’ of the pair (previously we saw the opposite). Don’t get me wrong, its a great plot line, but only once, for one film and not again. The film has the same writers and directors as the first film, but it’s just not as witty and clever.
I laughed, I laughed a lot. But I laughed at the expense of the first film, of the great moments it left behind that this film sought to re-create.
The cinematography and editing were great as they added a sense of pace and urgency that fitted well with the piece. The set design gave a real idea of context, at times the environment felt like a true-to-life American College (which often doesn’t happen in films, artistic license helps it look far more glamorous). Another important aspect of the film was its music. It is my personal belief that music can either make or break a film; in the case of 22 Jump Street, with a soundtrack compiled of latest clubbing tracks immediately crafting a party vibe, it definitely makes it.
All in all, you can watch the best parts of the movie in the trailer, so save your money. The film was simply trying too hard. Trying too hard to be funny (the octopus moment had me with my head in my hands), successful and match its prequel, and in trying so hard it utterly failed. The most amusing part of it all was the snippets of sequels and spoofs of the film that appeared in the credits. They were endless and possibly the funniest parts of the whole film. But all in all, once you’ve seen one, you’ve seen it all.
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