22
Jump Street
(2014/MGM/Columbia/Sony Blu-ray w/DVD)
Picture:
B+/C+ Sound: B+/B- Extras: B+ Film: C
Though
the film is one of the top grossing comedies of the year, 22
Jump Street
is a sequel that falls short of its predecessor and gives a new
definition to the term Bro-mance. The film has a considerably larger
budget (which is poked fun at in the first act) and centers around
the college party atmosphere and becomes a series of predictable gags
and an ending that is abrupt and leaves open many loose ends.
Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill are again fine in the lead roles they
play but in many ways Ice Cube steals the show as Captain Dickson.
The film is co-directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller,
returning from the first film.
Following
their success in the 21 Jump Street program, Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and
Jenko (Channing Tatum) are back on the streets chasing narcotics.
However, after failing in the pursuit of a group of drug dealers led
by Ghost (Peter Stormare), Deputy Chief Hardy (Nick Offerman) puts
the duo back on the program to work for Captain Dickson (Ice Cube) -
now located across the street at 22 Jump Street. Their assignment is
to go undercover as college students and locate the supplier of a
drug known as WHYPHY (Work Hard Yes Play Hard Yes) that killed a
student photographed buying it on campus.
The
second act of the film focuses on the tension between Schmidt and
Jenko and their quest to find the drug supplier known as Ghost.
Hilarity ensues when Schmidt ends up hooking up with Captain
Dickson's daughter in the college and Jenko proves that he is worthy
to join the high ranks of the school's Football team. Following
separate social latter paths, the two cops are soon questioning not
only their mission but their partnership. The film is funny but all
in all seems like a quick Hollywood cash in.
Sound
and Picture on the disc are of a high standard for Sony and push the
limits of the format with a 1080p high definition image that is crisp
and clear throughout and a theatrical widescreen aspect ratio of
2.40:1. The sound is also superior with a DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless
track in English and French. Subtitles in English, English SDH,
Spanish and French are also on the disc. The set comes packaged with
a DVD copy of the film as well, which is presented in standard
definition and a lossy Dolby Digital 5.1 track that is fine for the
format but no where close to the Blu-ray's performance.
The
disc is PACKED with extras including...
22
deleted scenes
The
Perfect Couple of Directors
Line-O-Rama
Commentary
with the Directors, Jonah Hill and Tatum
Joke
A Palooza
Everything
is Better in College
Jenko
Split Video
The
Perfect Line: Ad Libbing On Set
The
Dramatic Interpretation of 22 Jump Street - the version without the
jokes!
Don't
Cut Yet: The Mr. Walters Prison Scene
New
Recruits: Casting 22 Jump Street
Janning
and Chonah
Extended
Zook and McQuaid Football Video.
You
can read about the first film and original series that inspired both
elsewhere on this site.
-
James Harland Lockhart V
https://www.facebook.com/jamesharlandlockhartv
