22 Jump Street (2014), R, ★★★1/2

Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill are back.

They're back. The mismatched duo that made the first film a laugh-out-loud riot. Before I begin, sequels for comedies do not have a great record. The only one movie that I can think of that the filmmakers were trying to make and succeeded was the latest Anchorman sequel, which the first half of the film was more hilarious than the second half, which was a bit overstuffed and running out of gas. But, let's think about it. Has any sequel of a comedy been funnier than its predecessor in any series? No. This movie, however, still produces funny jokes and I think it is a bit funnier than the first one...so it is potentially, the funniest sequel ever. But, this movie is not going to be hard to beat, so, writers...there is hope.

The movie opens with a brief recap of 21 Jump Street and Captain Dickson (Ice Cube) assigns Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Jenko (Channing Tatum) on a new assignment in college. However, they are taking online courses...for now. But, they head to Metro City Port on an assignment as they both "get into character" to infiltrate a drug lord named The Ghost (Peter Stormare) and his henchmen. After blowing their cover, they screw up their mission...as always.

The guys meet with Chief Hardy (Nick Offerman) as they talk about their surprising and lucky re-boot. The botched duo are sent to a Vietnamese church on 22 Jump Street since the Koreans bought their church back on 21 Jump Street. Captain Dickson assigns Schmidt and Jenko to MC State where they have to investigate another drug called WhyPhy. It is the same situation and the same occurrence and the same fate happening to another victim similar to the kid from the first film except that it is a different drug.

So, Schmidt and Jenko are assigned their aliases, Brad and Doug McQuaid, and they both move to their dorms. They both go to separate college classes to find any possible drug dealers. They cannot get any possible leads, so they both go to a place to consult an expert. Who do you think it is? It is Mr. Walters (Rob Riggle), the former coach who unfortunately lost his penis after Schmidt shot him. But, he forgives him for that and brags that he got a vagina and that he is Eric's (Dave Franco) "second-half". They recognize a tattoo and realize that Jenko met the guy in class. So, they have a lead that prompts them to many, many unusual circumstances and funny jokes.

Hill, Ice Cube, and Tatum busting someone.

I must confess that while writing the review I was still laughing at the memorable jokes that were going on through my head. There were so many jokes and one-liners I laughed at that I cannot remember which was the best, maybe it was the opening scene with Hill imitating the Spanish henchmen or an after-sex joke or the scene where Hill and Tatum are in the counseling session...I don't know. But, I'll tell you which concept was brilliant and hilarious simultaneously in a moment. This was a fun time at the movies and the concept of the comedy was to make people laugh. I laughed out loud, chuckled, winced, and put my head down to calm myself. Also, it is a bit heartwarming because we care about the two characters a lot and this duo has to be one of the best cop duos in film. It's not up there with Riggs and Murtaugh from Lethal Weapon or Lee and Carter from Rush Hour. I am still trying to forget Rush Hour 3. Se7en had a good duo, but it's a dark thriller.

Jonah Hill is still gold and is one of the most ingenious and comically-gifted actors right now from The Wolf of Wall Street to this movie. He is dynamite. Channing Tatum's career has really turned around since the start of 21 Jump Street and probably, Side Effects (see that underrated film). He is superb as a funny and moronic cop who seems to try to enjoy himself but always get in the wrong situation. I particularly liked Amber Stevens as the girl who likes poetry and Hill has nice chemistry with her. Ice Cube is hilarious as always as he says these profane and hilarious lines that just drive you crazy. And, there are a lot of cameo appearances that are in the movie. But, I cannot give them away.

My criticism still remains the same along with its predecessor that I still did not find the case too interesting as it gets a bit predictable and self-indulgent towards the end. The action sequence toward the end was fun, but they could have done a little better. Still, this movie belongs to Hill and Tatum again and directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller, who are on a roll this year with this sequel and The Lego Movie, one of the best films of 2014. They made a hilarious and a bit charming comedy that knows that it wants to rip off the concept of sequels as this movie is one.

To get back to the brilliant and hilarious joke, you have to stay through the end credits because you will have some of your sense of humor left in your tank. I think that sequence earns a half a star more.

22 Jump Street is the comedy of the summer.

***1/2