As of Wednesday, 22 Jump Street had made $145,003,982 domestically. You don’t need to be a mathematician to understand that 22 Jump Street, like it’s predecessor, is a huge hit. After watching the movie last night, it’s easy to see why. Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum are incredible together. They play off each other perfectly, Hill the desperate to fit in but smart dork, Tatum the popular but dumb jock. They fill stereotypes, but they’re so funny that I doubt anyone really cares. 22 Jump Street also had a great supporting cast: Ice Cube, Nick Offerman, Peter Stormare (Armageddon!) and Jillian Bell. Although the cast was great, what made 22 Jump Street so different from any other sequel is how self aware it was. You don’t have to study film to catch the numerous instances when the characters in the movie are poking fun at the absurdity of movie sequels. There’s the first scene outside 22 Jump Street, the numerous instances to Hill and Tatum teaming up “one last time”, and even the hummer/helmet chase scene, where Hill is continually advising Tatum to take the route that will cause the least amount of damage. Sequels in Hollywood are becoming as common as a Shia LeBeouf outburst. If a movie makes money for the studio, there is a very, very good chance that the studio will be looking to cash in once again. It’s not a bad move, but the sheer quantity of sequels (or threequels, or sevenquels) is becoming absurd. Throwing the same cast together and slightly adjusting the plot is becoming the new norm. While 22 Jump Street didn’t really deviate from that, it’s approach was more refreshing: it wasn’t trying to get something over on us, but basically said “this is pretty much the same movie, but you’re going to laugh your ass off so enjoy”. People, myself included, generally look at sequels as a negative thing. Why spoil a movie that was so good and unique by trying to duplicate it? It may not ruin the original, but most of the time the sequel pisses people off because studio’s literally make the same movie yet never acknowledge it. 22 Jump Street was pretty much the same as 21 Jump Street, but they got out in front and told you it was the same movie before anyone could argue about it. Let’s hope Hollywood notices that and follows suit.

– Ryan