Starring: Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill, Ice Cube, Amber Stevens, Wyatt Russell, Peter Stormare, Nick Offerman, Jimmy Tatro, The Lucas Brothers, Jillian Bell, Rob Riggle, Dave Franco, with Queen Latifah, and Seth Rogen.
Directed By: Phil Lord and Christopher Miller
This film is perfection. I haven’t laughed this hard in a movie in a long time. Last year, my favorite comedy was This Is The End. I honestly believe this film is funnier than that. I know that’s a bold statement, but there are just so many perfect moments in this film. Some spoilers lie ahead.
First of all, Jonah Hill has to have been laughing inside the past couple weeks over this kerfuffle about his using a gay slur at a paparazzi. There’s a running gag in this film that Tatum’s character just found out that using gay slurs isn’t cool, and it comes to a head at the worst time, when he decides to educate a villain in how to not use gay slurs…which is more important than keeping his cover. It’s even funnier watching Jonah Hill in the scene, knowing what he’s been dealing with the past couple weeks.
Secondly, the credits. OMG. Jump Street goes meta, and becomes fully self aware. I don’t know if there will ever be a 23 Jump Street (even though the film references this twice), because the ending seems to say “how many times could we possibly do this?” and to hilarious results.
Tatum and Hill are such a great team, and if they can do another film with Phil Lord and Chris Miller, I wouldn’t mind a 23 Jump Street. Even if it was 23 Jump Street: Culinary School. Those four people together can do anything they want.
This film isn’t just a “you should see it”, it’s a “you MUST see it”. There’s absolutely no chance you won’t laugh at least a few times. There’s a huge gag between Hill and Cube, and when you see it… just… I almost shit myself laughing. It’s one of the best setups and payoffs, and it’s followed up later by Tatum, in the second best payoff in the film. I also enjoyed seeing Jimmy Tatro getting some screen love. I’m a fan of his Vines.
In conclusion, you shouldn’t even be reading this last paragraph. You should have already left your house to go see this film. I can write whatever I want here. Blah blah blah. Words. More words. Oh, you’re still here? GO SEE 22 JUMP STREET.
FINAL GRADE: A