BIRDMAN or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) - Analysis and Review

Is Michael Keaton okay?

Because this movie makes it seem like he's not.

The Plot

Riggan Thomsan (Michael Keaton), once known for playing the iconic superhero, Birdman, is now an actor trying to do something meaningful. And to him, that is adapting a Raymond Carver story into a play. But when the play loses a actor due to an accident that may or may not have been caused by strange abilities Riggan possesses, the production resorts to bringing in a notoriously hard to work with actor named Mike Shiner (Edward Norton). With Shiner's methods proving to be an antagonizing force in Riggan's production as well as his budget, Riggan puts up with everything in order to make the play work in hopes of leaving his past as Birdman behind. But in a world where superheroes are the big Hollywood ticket, Riggan's past continues to haunt him with what he could become if he made a comeback to the roll that made him famous.

Analysis

Overrated. It is a term that gets thrown around a lot without people realizing what it means or how to properly use it. When something is overrated, it could mean two things. One, overrated could mean that a person believe that a highly regarded movie is complete crap. And two, overrated could mean a person believe that the movie does not live up to the hype, but is still good.

The problem is, most people associate overrated with the former. And by associating, it is just a nice way for rebels to say they hate something. And this is how overrated has become a bad word. 

Say The Dark Knight or The Avengers is overrated to comic book movie fans, and they will automatically assume what you mean is you hate good movies. Say The Godfather or Lawrence of Arabia is overrated to movie fans, and they will assume you're nothing more than a lover Michael Bay films with not taste whatsoever.

So yes, overrated is a word use to describe extreme disdain for a movie. But the proper use of overrated is better suited for: Did not live up to my expectations... but I still liked it.

Review

I don't know if I want to call this movie overrated. That was the feeling that I had while walking out of the movie theater. But as I kept thinking about it, there were a lot of good things about this movie.

The first thing I have to mention is the cast. Just like Gone Girl, this movie sports an extremely talented cast. Everyone in this film was extraordinarily good with their roles. Zach Galifianakis does a subdued and smart performance as the troubled productions' Producer. It is a nice change from the roles he is usually associated with, and I wish he'd do more stuff like this. Then there is Emma Stone as the troubled daughter of a celebrity. She plays the character with a lot of ferocity and smarts that make her definitely a product of this age. Then there is Naomi Watts as the actress who finally made it to where she always wanted to be. She plays it as someone who has been through the grind and is definitely thankful for where she is. Then you have Andrea Riseborough playing the actress who is going through the grind without a care and is just happy to be acting. She's loose yet also has a sensitive side that she wants to hide, and Andrea plays it well. There are countless others in this film that are good, even if they're small roles. Especially a nice performance by Lyndsey Duncan as a theater critic who represents everything that people assume about critics. The cast is just near perfection. But they are nothing to the perfection achieved by Keaton and Norton.

Michael Keaton and Edward Norton are definitely the standouts of this film. For a very pure reason. They appear to be playing heightened versions of themselves. Keaton is definitely an actor who is still famous and has a celebrity status, but does not appear in that many movies anymore. Norton is an actor who is notorious for being difficult to work with, yet when becomes to play, he comes to play. Keaton's Riggan Thomson and Norton's Mike Shiner are definitely odd reflections of themselves. It seems like a stroke of casting genius choosing these two for these specific roles. Both of them excel with their character exponentially in a display that may be drawing from personal experience while at the same time really showing off just how talented these guys are. But Keaton is the standout between the two, as it is his movie, and he really makes you feel for his situation. His character is someone who could've been bigger than what he is now, and he totally sells it. This is the best acting that Keaton has done in a long time, but it will never put a shadow over his role as Batman... I mean Birdman.

But now comes the point where I explain why I'm juggling with the use of the word: overrated. Simply because of this. It did not play out the way I had hoped for. Which is a terrible thing for a film critic to say, because a film critic is just suppose to analyze the film as it is then maybe compare it to similar films if need be. But the thought of "not playing out the way I hoped for" belongs to a filmmaker. And I am one. The film is a commentary about celebrity status and blockbusters, particularly the superhero genre. The movie's title is Birdman, yet the superhero only shows up in two scenes in the movie. Yet I feel like there could've been more to that commentary. Sure, the amount of commentary was placed in the right spots, but I feel like I was robbed of something that really would've been revelatory to a mass audience. Because to film fans, we get the subtleties and the references right away, yet for some reason this may not seem to get the message across. Also it seems to be a bit confused on what side of the "celebrity" argument it falls under, because I wasn't quite sure what it is the film was trying to say about celebrities that the average person doesn't already know.

And another thing is the highly acclaimed long take technique used for the entire film. It is definitely unique in making the film appear as if it is all being filmed with one camera for two hours straight without cutting. The problem that I have with it is that I got dizzy and slightly nauseated. It does achieve this almost floating dreamlike quality, but when the camera shakes it really is disorienting. I had to fight my dizziness in order to watch the movie because I was so intrigued with Keaton and Norton's characters, but it did eventually make my head hurt. If it was done completely on steadicam to give it a nice flowing motion instead of switching to a handheld style most of the time, I probably would've tolerated it more. So yes, I acclaim it for the technical difficulty of filming and editing a movie to look like one take. But I can't deny that I may have came close to vomiting because of this.

And then finally, the story. Because it is extremely predictable in a sense. The reason why this film is acclaimed is for the acting and the commentary, yet the story is so predictable that in the hands of another director and different actors it could've been terrible. There was a point after the first hour of the movie that I felt bored because all of a sudden I realized how this movie was going to end. Also, at that point, I started to not care about the performances. This may be because I've already made up my mind from the first hour that these performances are amazing and so have nothing else to expect from the movie. And a part of me really wishes this movie was condensed to 90 minutes instead of the 2 hours that I had to float through. Granted, I love 2 hour movies, but this could've gotten its point across within 90 minutes. But frankly, because it was that long, and by the second hour it feels like two more hours pass by, it really wasn't a home run for me.

Final Thoughts

I still haven't decided if I want to use overrated. Because this film is an acting tour de force. Every single actor in this film is incredible, with Keaton and Norton elevated higher above the rest. Then there is the commentary that film lovers will get a kick out of but the average viewer will not fully get. There is the dizzy camera work that is getting praised as an achievement, where the only achievement it succeeded was giving me my first nausea in a movie theater. An overtly predictable story that ultimately serves as a vehicle to showcase powerful acting and a commentary on superhero movies that doesn't stay that interesting. It really is hard. But maybe I should just say it. Because while typing this sentence, I've now settled. This movie is overrated.

7.5/10 - I expected much more from this. A lot more. But well done, Michael Keaton.

Sleepy Hollow - 2x04 Go Where I Send Thee... - Review

Time to pay the piper

After discovering that Ichabod has been taking driving lessons behind her back, Abbie gets called in to work a missing child's case. During the search they once again encounter the rogue, Hawley, who is searching of a flute made out of bone. It is then that Ichabod learns that the monster they are facing is none other than the pied piper.

This show continues to excel with their two leads, unlike another show that airs before them. The chemistry between Abbie and Ichabod is impeccable and definitely the best thing about this show. And it is put on display after the first cold opening by having Ichabod recite an ominous speech that turns out to be nothing more than him talking about driving a car. It may seem like a comedic moment and will come in use later, but it was also an effective way to show that Ichabod is growing as a character. Probably not at the rate that Abbie wishes he would and Ichabod definitely does want to acclimate so quickly, but it really shows how far the two of them have come. But in true Sleepy Hollow fashion, there always has to be something going on in town. And this week is no different.

Here we get our first monster of the week episode. That monster being the legendary pied piper. In this one he was a mercenary who made a deal with the demon, Moloch, in order to grant him incredible fighting abilities. And as a bonus he cause use his musical skills to lull his enemies into a trance like state, making them easier to kill. Of course no man who makes a deal with a demon can live without some tragedy. That tragedy involves being killed by a man who hired him during the revolutionary war, in order to hide the fact that he may have been a sympathizer with British. That decision will cause the pied piper to turn into the monstrosity that he is today. And so he returns to haunt his murderer's descendants by claiming a child from each generation after reaching the age of 10. After all, the pied piper needs to change his flute every now and then. The Pied Piper is probably one of the most fascinating creatures to appear on the show, and has to be given that he is the monster of the week. It also helps that he is a martial artist who fights with a bo staff made of bones that is essentially a gigantic flute. He proves to be a formidable opponent and a highly entertaining one.

But really at the core of this episode is facing an almost unwinable situation involving the Lancasters, the family that is cursed to pay tribute to the Pied Piper. The missing girl's mother knows that if the Pied Piper does not get what he wants, then the current generation of children in town will suffer a painful death through a disease. If it weren't for Abbie and Ichabod, this situation would've been difficult for the Lancaster matriarch to handle as she would have no choice but to allow her child to be killed in order for all the other children in Sleepy Hollow to live. It is a situation that no one ever wants to be in, but luckily this show has heroes who will always try to find a way to beat the unbeatable odds. Well, most of the heroes that is.

We are once again introduced to Nick Hawley, who is really being pushed as this character who is going to be important later on. He is pretty much the foil to Ichabod. Both extremely intelligent and well versed with folklore. The difference being one wants to do the right thing while the other will only do so if it gets him what he wants. And what Nick wants is the Pied Piper's bone flute. I'll be honest in saying that I'd be more interested in Nick if he didn't dressed like Nathan Drake from the Uncharted games. I'm not joking, he's wearing the exact same clothes as Nathan Drake. So much so that it is almost distracting. However it does automatically tell you what kind of character he is, if you are aware of the iconic status of his mode of dress. But again, it is really obvious that the writers are pushing this character as a way to shake things up in the show. I'm not entirely sure how I feel about this new addition, but hey, he might be useful. Unlike those other male side characters they've had in the previous season. Time will tell.

This has been a fairly entertaining episode, especially since it is the first monster of the week episode of the season. This show continues to excel with the craziness as well as the moments with heart. But it is definitely the craziness factor that has this show standing apart from everything else right now. Especially when there are moments like the one pictured here. Things are not going so well for Captain Irving, but in his vision of the future, he seems to be doing well. And it all ties in to that blood pact he unknowingly made with Henry, The Horseman of War. He apparently becomes an incredibly efficient killing machine under War's guidance. It is moments like this that really propels my interest in the show and will definitely have me tuning in for the next one.

SCORE: 8.5/10 - The standard "monster of the week" episode, but still good

STATUS: Continue to watch - It is Halloween after all!

Review of Previous Episode - Click here

Sleepy Hollow - 2x03 Root of all Evil - Review

"Benedict Arnold"

In this outing of Sleepy Hollow, The Horseman of War starts seeding the destruction of the small town with cursed coins that turn people against what they love the most. When Jenny learns that the new sheriff may be responsible for her mother's death, it doesn't take too much persuasion from a cursed coin to set her on her path. The only hope for Ichabod and Abbie to discover the origins of the coins and how to contain it may lie with a new ally, Nick Hawley (Matt Barr).

It's not a monster of the week episode but rather a "problem of the week" episode. This episode deals with money. Cursed money to be more precise. When Abbie sees a local bank teller lose her shit at her job and starts wanting to rob people, you know that something is definitely wrong. It turns out that Henry, The Horseman of War, has been making a few deposits a the bank. Deposits of coins that have the strange ability to make people go crazy. And to top off the craziness, apparently Ichabod remembers a mission he had with Benedict Arnold to destroy a forge for counterfeit money. Yes, that Benedict Arnold. The most famous traitor in American History. Turns out he didn't betray America out of moral or political reasons. He betrayed because of a cursed coin. A coin that happens to be in the forge for counterfeit coins. And now those coins are in the town's money circulation. Just another normal week in Sleepy Hollow. 

While this episode is very problem of the week, the character focus of this episode is given to the sister relationship between Abbie and Jenny. While the two of them had spent the entirety of Season One to learn to trust and acknowledge their love for each other, the arrival of Sheriff Reyes puts another strain on their relationship. We learn that it is indeed Sheriff Reyes who put their mother in prison, as well as testified to her being insane. While Abbie was aware that Sheriff Reyes knew their mother, she wasn't aware of this knowledge. Jenny is surprised that Abbie simply brushes it off as, "she was just doing her job," and not thinking that Sheriff Reyes putting their mom in jail cost her life. It seeds the fallout between the two, which is convenient timing as there just happens to be a coin that'll send that bitterness into overdrive. While it is great that we're exploring more of Abbie and Jenny's backstory, it does seem kind of early to bringing back the, "I don't trust my sister," card. Especially given that this is the third episode. I'm sure we all know that it will be resolved in the end, but how Ichabod and Abbie find out on how to do that exactly leads to the introduction of a new face.

Enter Nick Hawley, who fans seem to be immediately comparing to Han Solo. And how can they not? Matt Barr just oozes a devil may care charm in his portrayal as Nick. He's a treasure hunter of sorts, collecting rare items and has a vast amount of knowledge that could very well rival Ichabod. And from the looks of things, he is pretty much set up as Ichabod's foil. It is interesting to see a character who knows all the facts, but does not believe the magic part. Which makes for a very playful antagonistic nature between Nick and Ichabod. But luckily for the audience, and to our relief, he buys into the magic thing right away. However he doesn't seem too much in awe of the presence of the supernatural, but rather as another form of knowledge he needs to learn if he's going to collect things. Because after all it is he who knew that there were 30 of these coins and they originated from Rome. In other words, these coins belonged to Judas, probably the top on the list of world's famous traitors. He does add a new flavor to the show, one that I think can add some interesting dynamics. Especially given his past with Jenny. It is unclear if he is really on Ichabod and Abbie's side or if he has his own agenda. But that should've been predictable from how they set up his character. Either way, so far he's a welcome addition. It all depends on how they plan on executing his character for the rest of the season.

All in all, this was an okay storyline with plenty of entertaining twists on history that will bring a smile to your face. It is not the best episode of this season so far, but Season One also had a few of these down episodes. It is really a character development and a character introduction episode that doesn't necessarily forward the plot, but shows that Henry is indeed planning something. I'm sure this will tie in to the larger story that is building her. But for now, this was a nice pause in a rapid fire show.

SCORE: 7.5/10 - Entertaining twists to history, but not as strong as the previous episodes

STATUS: Continue to Watch - There's a Pied Piper in the next episode

Review of Previous Episode - Click Here

Sleepy Hollow - 2x02 The Kindred - Review

Let's save Katrina

After escaping purgatory and putting a halt on The Horseman of War's plans, Ichabod and Abbie now set their sights on saving Katrina from the clutches of the Headless Horseman. 

This episode begins once again with a misleading opening. But unlike the season opener, this one didn't last for 15 minutes worth of runtime. But in that opener, or vision if you want to use the proper term, Ichabod witnesses Van Brunt's (the Headless Horseman) plan to make Katrina his bride permanently. A ritual performed by Ichabod's son, Henry (the Horseman of War), which requires Katrina to lose her head. This show just keeps getting weirder and weirder. And if you've made it this far with the show, then you know you love it. This realigns Ichabod's priorities by having rescuing his wife front and center as the main drive. It is really amazing how the show's writer's move through the plot so quickly by handling things in rapid time. Last episode we groaned at Katrina being captured, this episode she's going to be rescued. See, rapid time. The Strain could learn a thing or two about that.

But of course their plot to save Katrina needs to be burdened by someone. Enter the new Sheriff in town, Leena Reyes, played by Sakina Jaffrey. She immediately makes it know to Abbie that there are things that need to be changed in Sleepy Hollow. Sheriff Reyes also makes a declaration of bringing back sanity to Sleepy Hollow. A declaration that fans know we all laughed at once she said it. While it is obvious the show needed to once again have another lawful problem on their hands given that former Captain Frank Irving (Orlando Jones) is being held in prison to take the blame for a demon's actions, I hope she doesn't stay an obstacle for too long. She's suppose to be an annoying character. Not annoying as in her character is to be annoying, but rather her by the book actions are an annoyance. Especially when she prevents Jenny from joining all the fun when she gets caught taking weapons from the armory. I'm sure the writers know that the audience loves it when these characters finally meet the supernatural, and I hope they do it in the next two episodes. But I have a feeling this one will be dragged out longer than it should. Oh well, someone has to be the party pooper.

But to the main plot. Ichabod plans on using one of Benjamin Franklin's weapon as a means to get Katrina. That weapon? A being called The Kindred which is composed of dead body parts from soldiers during the Revolutionary War. Yup. This show just made Benjamin Franklin the Frankenstein of the series... I love this show. But in order to use The Kindred, they require the head of The Headless Horseman. In other words, they're really creating a monster. Abbie is obviously not please about this, but seeing Ichabod's desperation of not willing to accept losing his wife twice meant that she has no other choice to comply. That compliance leads Abbie to see Captain Irving in prison who gives them access to his vault in a local bank, housing the Horseman's head. Which by the way, at the bank, led to one of those Ichabod moments we all love so much. 

But what is going on with Katrina right now? She knows what Van Brunt plans on doing to her. She knows that Ichabod will stop at nothing to get her. Hell, he's using his former best friend's head to create a weapon to fight his former best friend's body. That is the definition of love right there. But Van Brunt does bring up a really good point to Katrina. Why did he save Abbie from purgatory instead of saving her? Why did she not seem to be his number one priority? Again, the writers know what the fans are thinking and are acknowledging it very quickly. And planting seeds of doubt might actually be good for Katrina's character. It could potentially take her down some dark places, and she may even get to do a lot more than just be a damsel in distress. This becomes evident by how she delays her ritual marriage beheading by telling Van Brunt that only if she falls for him again will it work, and that she's working her way there. So that puts her on the Headless Horseman's good side, right at the exact moment that Ichabod, Abbie and The Kindred make their attack. And I'll just add that the three way monster fight between The Kindred, The Headless Horseman and War's Knight was awesome! 

However it was a pointless endeavor as Katrina decides to stay where she is. WHAT?!?! Her reasoning, because like Ichabod, Van Brunt will do whatever it takes to have her again. And given he's not just a Headless Horseman but the Horseman of Death, that sounds a lot worse than Ichabod's Frankenstein experiment. But she stays so that she can be a spy and filter information to Ichabod as she did learn that Moloch is finding another way out and is not pleased with Henry. I can't help but think that part of this is to stop Moloch but also the other reason being that little seed that Van Brunt planted in Katrina's head: Why did Ichabod save Abbie first? So now, Ichabod and Abbie feel as if their efforts was partially a waste. But it does offer something interesting for Katrina to do in the present, when all of her previously interesting scenes were in the flashbacks. Only time will tell if this gamble will pay off. And given this show's pacing and speeding through the plot, I doubt it will.

On an interesting note...what did happen to The Kindred after they all retreated? He'll be back. I'm sure of it.

SCORE: 8.9/10 - While it seems pointless, it will benefit the heroes for some time

STATUS: Continue to Watch - Like I wasn't going to?

Review of Previous Episode - CLICK HERE

Sleepy Hollow - 2x01 This is War - Review

It has begun...for real this time...I think

One year after the events of the last season finale, Ichabod Crane (Tom Mison) and Abigail Mills (Nicole Beharie) celebrate Ichabod's birthday. However Abigail's attempt of teaching Ichabod the modern way to celebrate one's birthday gets cut short when they discover the Headless Horseman is looking for a key. The key of Benjamin Franklin. In order to find out what he wants with the key, they must consult the captured Horseman of War: Ichabod's son, Jeremy Crane (John Noble).

Okay. That is not really what happens in this episode. But it was a brilliant way to start off. The show notorious for being outrageously ridiculous with plenty of "what the f%#^" moments and "just go with it" moments pulls a big "what the f#%@" opening. The time jump scared me a little. It probably scared everyone. But as we all know. It can't be as simple as that. There is no way they would expect the fans to accept that they decided to skip one year later to a time where Katrina (Katia Winter) and Jennifer (Lyndie Greenwood) are dead. However it is this time jump fake out that makes this show special, and it was smart of them not to have the entire episode dedicated to this fake out.

The time jump was an illusion created by Ichabod's son, the now revealed evil Jeremy Crane played menacingly by John Noble. After the HOLY SHIT reveal of him being Ichabod's son, because honestly the only thing fans would've seen coming is him being a horseman, it is nice to know that John Noble is here to stay. And he makes his stay known by pulling off this grand illusion on not just Ichabod and Abbie but on the viewing audience. That act immediately lets us know what kind of monster the Horseman of War is, and it definitely is a welcoming villain seeing as how the Headless Horseman could've gotten tiring as the solo villain. But it is clear that Jeremy is a definite threat, because with that act he now knows the location to a key. The key used by Benjamin Franklin in his famous experiment involving a kite. And since this is Sleepy Hollow, that experiment was not in the name of science.

No, as Ichabod knows, being Franklin's reluctant student, the key was meant for something else. But in order to stop his demonic son from getting the key, he must first get out of his predicament. Mainly being buried six feet under inside a makeshift coffin with vines restraining him. How he's able to do so is rather comical. Especially a moment when he uses his cellphone to record a final message just in case his plan fails. It has to be seen to be accepted. Because if I were to write about it, it would sound stupid. So trust me. Crazy things happen. I'll let you the viewer see for yourself.

Jenny wakes up as Jeremy's captive and uses her to find the location of this key. Luckily for all of them, even though she has a clue to where it is, she doesn't know the exact place. Luckily, again, for her, Ichabod is able to come to the rescue, after she takes out most of the Hessian guards working for Jeremy. The two of them team up in order to find the key. The key that could be the only thing that can get Abbie Mills out of where she was last seen: in purgatory.

Meanwhile Katrina is not doing so good. Once again she's a captive, but this time not one who can roam about freely like she did in purgatory. No, this time she's tied to a chair in a cabin somewhere. And in that cabin is the Headless Horseman. Also known as Bram Van Brunt, her former fiancé. Her situation in purgatory seemed more pleasant than being tied up to a chair with her headless former fiancé creepily trying to court her once again. Of course she tries to get away, but I feel bad for her having to be a real damsel in distress once again.

This episode has everything that Sleepy Hollow fans want: Incredible action, Off the wall moments, Lovable characters and Brilliant Ichabod moments. This was a brilliant, intense, and funny way to start off the season. This show continues to grow better and better. It'll be interesting to see how this season can possibly top the last. But I'll let you know right now. I'm definitely in for the ride. Especially with that final moment of revealing War's True Form. Consider me in!

SCORE: 9/10 - The craziest way to start the season. And let's hope it stays crazy.

STATUS - DEFINITELY CONTINUE TO WATCH

Review of Next Episode - CLICK HERE

22 Jump Street - Analysis and Review

It just keeps getting better and better

21 Jump Street took a lot of people by surprise. There were many who believed the fact that it exists as a cash grab. At the time, the announcement of casting Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum as the lead roles even had more people rolling their eyes. But then when it did finally came to the big screen, magic happened. Self-aware magic that made 21 Jump Street a really special film. It also proved that animation directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller can be a formidable force with live action films as well. They have been on a roll with their slate, and The Lego Movie proves that they know what they are doing. But can they match up to the movie that made them the powerhouses they are now?

The Plot

Undercover Officers Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Jenko (Channing Tatum) are once again thrown into the same exact scenario as the last movie because apparently the department believes that they only excel if they do the same thing. And they do the same thing. They infiltrate a school as students in order to hunt down a drug dealer who is supplying a new kind of drug. The difference? They're in college.

Analysis

Comedy sequels are really hard to do. The Hangover Part II was pretty much exactly the same as the first one. And just like I stated in the plot synopsis, 22 Jump Street is pretty much the same exact thing. Or at least it claims to be. But that is the difficulty about creating a good comedy sequel. They are extremely rare and when they do happen it usually comes off as, "Is this really necessary?" For the most part no one needed a sequel to The Hangover but it happened, and it was the exact same thing. 22 Jump Street however acknowledges and beats it over your head that this movie is exactly the same thing as the last one. But then again not really. But at least with this film they acknowledge and poke fun of not just the fact that they're doing a sequel but also make fun of sequels in general. The audience will probably understand the jokes about the Hollywood system when it comes to franchises, but probably won't even realize how much of a satire it is on franchises in general. This is a smart sequel to an already smart movie. And I'm talking about a comedy. The best comedies are smart, but a comedy sequel that is just as smart and just as funny as the previous is truly something special.

Review

It may be the exact same thing, but I also have to stress that there are enough twists and turns to make it not seem like it is. But to be fair it does feel like the same exact story. But to the genius that is directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller, it doesn't matter that its the same. This movie is ****ing hilarious! Incredibly so that one could easily look past the reused plot. Which is very easy to look past given the fact that it is a running joke in the movie that they are doing the same thing as the last one because it was successful. And it definitely is.

Jonah Hill has already established himself as a force in comedy and has gone on to prove that he can be great in the dramatic department. But if there is one person that has to be given praise it has to be Channing Tatum. Unlike some models turned actors, he actually improved over the years that he has been in the game. 21 Jump Street was definitely his breakout role despite having already been around and in the people's radar for many years prior. With the upcoming film Foxcatcher he shows that he is now capable of being a genuine dramatic actor from just a few seconds seen in a trailer. And this film proves that he has definitely become a force to be reckoned with in comedy. Tatum is amazing in this film. Everyone from the first film stepped up their game, but Tatum goes through the roof. He even has the best scene in the entire movie. When you see it, you'll know which one it is because you won't be able to stop laughing even after its over. Ice Cube plays an integral part in making that scene the best scene, but he definitely had some of the best moments in the film as well. 

The new supporting cast does well in the movie. Wyatt Russell plays Zook, a frat boy and kindred spirit to Tatum's Jenko. Their bromance just added more to the humor as it plays it up as a "love triangle" between Hill, Russell, and Tatum. Then there's the incredibly beautiful Amber Stevens as Maya, Hill's new love interest in the film who plays an integral part in Hill's development as a character as well as an integral part to the hilarious scene in the movie. Jillian Bell plays Maya's roommate and does become a one note joke in the movie, but when it escalates it escalates well. Peter Stormare plays the drug lord that Jenko and Schmidt are after, though it feels as though an actor of his caliber is underutilized for the role of the villain. Or wasn't really given enough to have a standout performance. Regardless, they all contributed into making this film hilarious and that is where it all really matters.

Final Thoughts

Yes, it is the same thing. Yes, it is a little bit different. Yes, Channing Tatum is now a full fledged actor. Yes, this movie will keep you laughing for a long time. It is the comedy sequel that equals or outshines the previous movie in almost every single way, Yes there was Austin Powers the Spy Who Shagged Me, but then there is also The Hangover Part II. Luckily for this sequel, it does not compare to either of those movies. To put things in perspective, I gave the previous movie an 8. For this...

SCORE: 8.5/10 - But for the hilarious factor the movie feels like a 9/10