Title: Neighbors

MPAA Rating: R

Director: Nicholas Stoller

Starring: Seth Rogen, Zac Efron, Rose Byrnes

Runtime: 1 hr 36 mins

What It Is?: Mac and Kelly Radner (Rogen and Byrnes) are just starting their lives as a family of three, with the birth of their daughter Stella. They have a nice new house, and Kelly is beginning her life as a stay at home mom. As they go, they notice the house next door is for sale. When it does get sold no one is prepared for what’s about to occur. You see the Delta Psi Beta fraternity just bought it. And they’re moving in! There goes the neighborhood, or so they think! As Mac and Kelly confirm with frat president Teddy (Efron) that they will not call the cops on the fraternity if they agree to turn down the noise when they need it turned down. As the noise continues to be a problem, and with no communication for Teddy or the other Delta’s the Radner’s hope to call the cops “anonymously”. That plan backfires, and it instead turns the frat against the Radner’s in what is now a turf war. 

What We Think!: Let’s cut to the chase. This film is damn funny! You’d expect as much from Seth Rogen. What you don’t expect is Rose Byrnes and Zac Efron to have such great comedic timing. Seriously there are points in this film when it feels like she’s stolen the whole thing. Efron feels fresh here, and coupled with his interesting turn in That Awkward Moment Efron is shooting for douche bag of the year. He comes off as smug in a way that makes you wanna punch him in the face, at the same time his character is endearing enough to his brothers you gotta somewhat like him.  

Our Grade: A-, This is a showstealer! With it’s May 9th release date it falls in line with all the big Summer films, and it can hold it’s own. Expect it to steal some cash from Spiderman in that films second week. Some really good bit players keep this film brisk. Kudos to Ike Barinholtz, Christopher (McLovin) Mintz-Plasse, and Dave Franco who play smaller parts but do so with the gusto to light it up when they’re there. This could be the best comedy of this year. We’ll  be checking back with this one come  December to see if that’s a fact. Truly a great comedy, with likable characters, and an interesting plot. Check out Neighbors when it hits you in the cinema junk come May 9th. Whoohaa!!