Bad Neighbours 2
Film review of the comedy sequel that once again pits married couple Kelly & Mac against college students.
Director: Nicholas Stoller. Good Universe, Point Grey Pictures.
Comedy.
Cast & Credits.
Producers: Evan Goldberg, Seth Rogen, James Weaver.
Writers: Andrew J. Cohen, Brendan O'Brien, Nicholas Stoller, et.al.
Camera: Brandon Trost.
Music: Michael Andrews.
Sets: Theresa Guleserian.
Seth Rogen, Rose Byrne, Zac Efron, Chloë Grace Moretz, Dave Franco, Ike Barinholtz, Carla Gallo.
Synopsis:
Mac (Rogen) and Kelly Radner (Byrne) are back. With their first daughter now a toddler and a second child on the way, they decide to sell their house. In real estate laws, their house is subjected to a 30 day escrow in which the buyers of the house can pop in at any time to check the place.
This would all be fine if it wasn't for Shelby, (Moretz) who along with her Kappa Nu sisters have purchased the house next door with the intentions of turning it in to a party house.
Mac and Kelly must now get help from Teddy (Efron) to battle the sorority.
Review by Claire Durrant
It is inevitable that when a comedy does well at the box office, a sequel is guaranteed to happen.
In this case we only had to wait mere two years after the first Bad Neighbours (2014) for this to happen. Following the same paper thin storyline, Bad Neighbours 2 likes to recreate their gross, crude and slap stick humour from the first film, (the airbag gag makes another appearance).
Although they have tried to up do the ante, the jokes often get old and predictable, a problem for most comedy sequels.
However, the writers have taken the opportunity to add socially and politically correct messages to their feature. The film begins with a gay proposal and ends with a gay wedding.
This is all taken seriously; and while this film's main purpose is to extract laughter, the jokes do not stem from expected stereotypical jokes.
The main focus of the film however is that of gender equality; mainly that sororities don't throw parties, only fraternities do.
While it is a positive that films are exploring sexism, in Bad Neighbours 2 case however, it becomes repetitive and forceful to the point that it becomes a distraction from the film's light heartedness.
Mid way through the film, there is a scene in which the girls throw used tampons at Mac and Kelly's house. When told that what they did is super gross by Efron's character, Shelby replies that it's sexist to say that.
A gag that is simply meant to cause laughter, made me sigh instead.
Speaking of Efron, he truly gets to shine in his performance, which helps us forget the train-wreck that was Dirty Grandpa (2016). Teddy now going through a quarter life crisis, has no idea how to function as an adult.
He relies on Mac and Kelly to mother and teach him. His confusion about eggs hardening in hot water and pasta softening was a comedic highlight of the film.
As much as the film likes to focus on gender equality, the bond between Efron and Rogen is what holds this feature together.
Yes the jokes are repetitive, but ironically it's what has remained the same which makes the film so enjoyable.
While I didn't care so much for Shelby and the rest of the sorority sisters, the three leads still have such great chemistry between them.
Rose Byrne gets a special mention for still surprising me with her comedic talents.
There is absolutely no need to make this series a trilogy, but if it happens, I won't be surprised.
