“22 Jump Street”: A Hilarious Self-Aware Sequel
Following their triumphant takedown of high school crime, Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Jenko (Channing Tatum) find themselves struggling to replicate their previous success. An operation to nab the elusive smuggler Ghost (Peter Stormare) goes awry, prompting their superiors to send them back undercover, this time to a college campus. Their mission: to identify the source of a dangerous new drug known as “Wi-Fi.”
The Perils of Comedy Sequels
Crafting a worthwhile sequel is a daunting task, particularly in the realm of comedy. While action or horror films can often benefit from increased budgets and grander scales, humor operates differently. You can’t simply throw money at writers and expect funnier jokes. A weak script can sink a comedy sequel, dragging down even the most talented actors and disheartened directors.
Embracing the Meta
The creators of “22 Jump Street” seem acutely aware of these challenges. Rather than attempting a completely novel storyline, they lean into the concept of repetition and lampoon the very idea of sequels. They revisit scenarios from the first film, but playfully swap the characters’ roles and reactions, creating a meta-narrative that’s consistently funny because it acknowledges the movie’s existence as a sequel.
Improvisational Comedy Gold
This approach carries inherent risks, but in “22 Jump Street,” it pays off handsomely. The film’s success likely stems from the sheer volume and variety of jokes, which encompass clever quotes, witty wordplay, and surprising celebrity cameos. A substantial portion of the humor is derived from actor improvisation. Take, for instance, the uproarious “drug trip” sequence, where Channing Tatum’s uninhibited dancing amidst bizarre cartoon imagery steals the show purely because of Tatum’s performance choices and comedic timing, it nothing to do with planned out narrative. Similarly, the physical comedy between Jonah Hill and Jillian Bell, with Bell’s persistent attempts to turn a fight into a sexual encounter, is amplified by Hill’s hilariously exaggerated resistance.
Overwhelming Humor: A Success
At times, the film verges on utter madness. Recognizing potential limitations in terms of fresh and original material, the filmmakers opt to overwhelm the audience with constant gags and over-the-top delivery. This isn’t understated British humor; it’s a relentless barrage of tickles and pratfalls until you’re gasping for breath. While “22 Jump Street” may lack subtlety or groundbreaking inventiveness in it’s comedy, it’s undeniably funny. There’s a sense of comedic abandon.
Moreover, Wyatt Russell, notably declined a role in the second installment of “The Hunger Games” in order to secure his place in “22 Jump Street,” this dedication underscores confidence in the material.
So, no real complaints here. Although, this kind of blitz approach might not work a third time, , which is further highlighted by “22 Jump Street”'s self-deprecating mocking of potential sequels in the end credits. But who cares about the future, it might always be like that? For now, we have what is possibly be one of the most entertaining comedy sequels in recent memory.
