Film Review: “Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising” (2016) ★★★

Neighbors

Sometimes it is fun to see goofy films about nothing, the way NEIGHBORS 2: SORORITY RISING is. Yes, it may have no main purpose to serve, however, it does its best to make you laugh throughout the film, almost non stop. Funny or not, I still can’t believe that I am writing this line as a person who always avoids to see any film with Seth Rogen, at any cost. But I am glad that I did not miss this one.

The sequel of NEIGHBORS brings us back to the same house, a few years later, when Mac (Seth Rogen) and Kelly (Rose Byrne) are raising their daughter Stella (played by Elise and Zoey Vargas). To their great surprise, they were disappointed to hear that their house is on escrow, which means, if nothing happens with the house within a month, they can happily move away from the neighborhood for good. However, nothing appears so simple, as shortly after when the sorority moves next door, the hell part two quickly begins forcing Mac and Kelly to ask for help from their enemy, Teddy.

With some ridiculously funny opening scenes, the laughter fiesta continues when Shelby (Chloë Grace Moretz) decides to create an endless sorority party, Kappa Nu, to drive crazy her “old” neighbors. Teddy, in the beginning likes the idea to help Shelby and her friends, even significantly contributes to their enormous success. However, when he was left alone by his friends, and kicked out from the house, the young man realizes that maybe it’s better to switch sides.

It’s hard to call Neighbors 2 a creative comedy, however, there are some scenes and dialogues in it written in an impossibly hilarious way. However, it’s the performance, usually in such films a filmmaker always tries to get, which more or less will cover up the gaps the screenplay has. While I have nothing against Zac Efron and Seth Rogen, it was a terrible idea to cast someone like Rose Byrne in the same film whose performance is far better than Efron and Rogen together. This was so obvious when Seth Rogen tried really hard to deliver the same facial expression delivered by Rose Byrne. But the difference was, Rose Byrne did it with no trouble at all, while Rogen failed each time.

In conclusion, NEIGHBORS 2: SORORITY is a surprisingly funny film. It touches the subject of sisterhood and parenthood and friendship, which was the main part of the story. In this film there is no bad guys, or girls, but circumstances that leads youngsters and older people to misunderstand each other. It’s about patience and having an open mind. This film may now allow you to watch with entire family, but it is certainly worthwhile seeing if what you want from a film nothing more and less but a good laugh. And this film certainly delivers that.

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