( CNN ) -- `` 22 Jump Street '' wholeheartedly embraces the sequel formula , and critics could n't be happier . As the follow-up to 2012 's blockbuster comedy `` 21 Jump Street , '' `` 22 Jump Street '' essentially rehashes everything about its predecessor but does so in a self-referential way that does n't sacrifice humor . It helps that the original team is back : Directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller have returned to the helm , and stars Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill are once again playing a pair of hilariously ineffective undercover cops who report to an irritated Ice Cube . Really , the only thing that 's changed is that Tatum 's Jenko and Hill 's Schmidt are going undercover at a local college instead of a high school . But for once , sticking to the formula has worked . `` 22 Jump Street is damn funny , sometimes outrageously so , '' praises Rolling Stone 's Peter Travers . `` It laughs at its own dumb logic and invites us in on the fun . '' Somehow , the movie `` steers blessedly clear of common sequel traps , even while brazenly committing so many of the form 's sins , '' says The Washington Post 's Ann Hornaday . `` The truth is , the old-married-couple dynamic between the two men is still funny , especially in the deft hands of Hill and Tatum , who have built a comic chemistry worthy of Hope and Crosby â€ ” or at least Lucy and Ethel . '' The leading comic duo were also irresistible to New York Times critic Manohla Dargis , who believes that the movie `` still tickles a comedy sweet spot partly because both actors are naturally likable and seem to be having a good time . '' The only thing that seemed truly worn out were some of the jokes about sexuality , observes Village Voice critic Stephanie Zacharek . Part of the plot involves Jenko and Schmidt going their separate ways for a while as they fall into different social circles on campus , leading to `` numerous homoerotic references to this fading friendship , but only in a 'Totally yankin ' your chain , bro ! ' way , '' Zacharek says . `` It 's there that '22 Jump Street ' wobbles off the rails . ... The recurring 'gay , not-gay ' jokes are neither particularly funny nor insightful , and they push the movie slightly out of whack . ... ( But ) '22 Jump Street ' is n't uncharitable or mean-spirited ; at worst , it 's just confused . '' Despite those flaws , the sequel is projected to perform well at the box office this weekend , with observers betting on an opening of at least $ 50 million . And if you 're seeing the movie this weekend , here 's a tip from The Chicago Tribune 's Michael Phillips : `` Be sure to hang around for the closing credits , which imagine all sorts of 'Jump Street ' sequels to come , all of which look funnier than ' A Million Ways to Die in the West . ' '' Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill 's 'lucky ' bromance . Review : '22 Jump Street ' is a repeat .
` ` 22 Jump Street '' is basically the same as ` ` 21 Jump Street '' But critics are praising the new sequel for its smart ##ness . The scenes about sex are a noticeable change , one reviewer said .