FilmSnobReviews

Title: Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Nicholas Stoller
Starring: Zac Efron, Rose Byrne, Seth Rogen
Runtime: 1 hr 32 mins

What It Is: They’re back! No not those Delta Psis, at least not all of them. I’m talking about Mac and Kelly Radner (Rogen & Byrne) after successfully navigating the frat next door they now have not one but two new adversaries. They’re working through escrow as they attempt to sell their home. At the same time, there’s now an up and coming sorority emerging next door. As the girls call in a ringer in the Radner’s old nemesis Teddy Sanders (Efron) to help them succeed a familiar foe may become a new/old friend.

What We Think: It is not as funny a the original but when held to the standards of a standalone comedy that came out in 2016 this is pretty good. There’s something to be said for a sequel that retreads enough to quench the familiarity. Yet walks that line where they craft enough unique moments to make the film it’s own. I love the chemistry between Rogen and Efron as bros as well as Byrne killing it once again as Rogen’s partner. Ike Berinholtz continues to steal scenes every step of the way, and on the other side Beanie Feldstein brings it as sorority sister Nora.

Our Grade: B-, It probably won’t be the best comedy of the year but dammit if it wasn’t really funny! Efron continues to show he can hang with Rogen in a comedy. Do I think that there’s franchise material here? I don’t really care frankly. In this contemporary moviescape were everything has to have 5 sequels I think they should leave well enough alone and call this over. By all means I am going to recommend this to people it’s a fine comedy that’ll make you definitely laugh.