22 Jump Street (English, 2014)

In this Dane age, when sequels end up as damp squibs, 22 Jump Street stands out and does what it is intended to do – makes you laugh your heart out and ensure that you don’t feel bored for the entire length of the movie. Be it the off-the-cuff dialogues or Jonah Hill’s expressions or Channing Tatum’s ‘lunkhead’ attitude or the tag-team antics – everything is a plus in this flick.

The fortuitous pairing of Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill continues its irreproachable work from 21 Jump Street. Even though Amber Stevens’ presence is a welcome addition, the lack of a strong female lead isn’t felt all through the movie as the ‘lead-pair’ steals the whole show.

Channing Tatum seems to have decided that the tag of “The Sexiest Man Alive” (People, 2012) wouldn’t last forever and with his foray into the “Jump Street” movies, he has customized his own style of rib-tickling comedy. If his struggle with Spanish wasn’t adequate in the opening scene, his confusing ‘Carte blanche’ with ‘Cate Blanchett’ and dealing with his Captain’s daughter’s episode brings the roof down.

Jonah Hill has matched Channing Tatum with his subtle acting even though he cannot open beer bottles with his eyelids. The brazen poetry slam at ‘Kaffe Haus’ and his buoyant pranks-infested heroic stunts have done his reputation no harm.

Ice Cube has a healthier role this time around and his capers as Maya’s father don’t fail to liven up the show. Jillain Bell proves to be a scene-stealing character you won’t overlook.

Phil Lord and Christopher Miller conclude the movie with mercurial-looking potential sequels: Taking the Jump Street tag-team to Russia, to a medical school, to a veterinary school, to a culinary school, to the space program, to a dance academy and so on. That had the audience glued to their seats even after the movie ended.

Costume designer Leesa Evans needs to be credited as the costumes have their own wacky appeal.