Film Review: Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising

13:46 May 20, 2016
By: David Vicari

** ½ out of four

 

I didn't much care for the first Neighbors – didn't think it was all that funny – so it was a mild surprise that I was entertained by Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising. Stuffy married couple Mac and Kelly Radner (Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne) have another problem since the first film where a wild fraternity moved into the house next door. Now, the Radners want to sell their house, but prospective buyers may be scared off when a sorority, led by loose cannon Shelby (Chloë Grace Moretz), take over the old frat house. Eventually, the couple team up with their former enemy and former frat boy Teddy Sanders (Zac Efron) to vanquish the sorority girls.

Neighbors 2 is completely ridiculous with plot developments that strain credibility, but that really doesn't matter because this all plays out like a zany, fast and furious Tex Avery cartoon. The Radners and Sanders come up with one absurd plan to get rid of the sorority, then the sorority gets revenge, then the Radners get their revenge, and it just keeps going. I'm surprised that Acme products aren't involved here.

Many of the jokes are in bad taste (One character says after drinking spiked punch, “We got Cosby-ed!”) but they are undeniably funny. And the movie moves at a fast pace and, at 92-minutes, doesn't wear out it's welcome. If you are in the mood for a simple, throw-away comedy, then Neighbors 2 fits the bill.

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