Does the world need a sequel to Neighbors, the funny if fleeting Seth Rogen comedy about a suburban couple who go to war with a fraternity that moves in next door? No. Of course not. No fucking way. But a fucking sequel is what we’ve been given, and, amazingly, arguably, Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising is better than the original.
Crude, inappropriate and laugh-out-loud funny, Neighbors 2 sticks to the fucking formula–swapping the frat for a sorority–but thankfully avoids the complete repetition of old jokes you often see in fucking sequels like this. Yes, those pesky airbags are back, but Neighbors 2 isn’t just a bunch of regurgitated jokes desperately seeking additional chuckles.
There’s nothing like a well-timed Holocaust joke to keep things fresh.
Director Nicholas Stoller and his crew of screenwriters seem to have learned from the first one, which was funny but inconsistently so, relying heavily on Seth Rogen, Rose Byrne and Zac Efron to force laughs. Neighbors 2 retains the ideas that worked well in the original while cutting most of the stuff that didn’t, resulting in a more streamlined, fast-paced and ultimately funnier affair.
Even though the sorority girls (led by Chloe Grace Moretz) aren’t as well developed or entertaining as the frat boys from the first fucking one, they hold their own. And Efron is even better this go-around as he thrives in his role as a young man whose best days were as frat leader–he’s the funniest fucking person in the film.
Sadly, the added characters come at the expense of screen time for Byrne, who, despite her understated comedic talent, is relegated to a more supporting role this go-around.
Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising isn’t perfect, but it’s a formidable sequel worth seeing. You’ll never look at your dildo princess the same again.
Review by Erik Samdahl unless otherwise indicated.