It's a sequel and it knows it. You'll know it, too, because 22 Jump Street reminds you over and over again. But as much as it makes fun of being unoriginal and uninspired, 22 Jump Street is funnier and better than its predecessor.

Didn't see that coming.

Channing All Over Your Tatum and Jonah "I'm sorry I used that word" Hill return as Jenko and Schmidt, who go undercover as college students to bust a drug ring. In other words, the plot is exactly the same as 21 Jump Street, only this time the cops can legally sleep with the students.

The movie fully embraces what it is; returning directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller go full throttle, delivering a delightfully dumb and absurdly funny piece of entertainment. 22 Jump Street is chock full of jokes, gags and other silliness that somehow, amazingly, hit with incredible frequency and effectiveness. Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum have terrific if unlikely chemistry; their continuous banter is a blast. A dose of Ice Cube only makes things better.

The first 21 Jump Street was a lot of fun, but it struggled in the third act as it failed to maintain its humor in the face of increased action. 22 Jump Street isn't perfect, but the movie is even more packed with laughs. And much more consistent than its predecessor.

Its flaws are minor. It drags in a few parts, especially when Jenko and Schmidt temporarily go their separate ways; even though the movie pokes fun at it being a sequel, forcing one of the most clichéd character arcs in the film industry is still tiresome. The movie also could have done more with the Amber Stevens girlfriend subplot--chunks seem like they were cut out for time--and the ultimate reveal of the boys' identities to their newfound friends.

But overall, 22 Jump Street is one of the funniest movies you'll see all year. It also features the best closing credits sequence you perhaps will ever see in the history of cinema. It's a sequel, but it's a good one. I'd usually end with a clever saying, but I'll simply say this: Something cool.

Review by Erik Samdahl unless otherwise indicated.