Neighbors

I've been pretty excited for this comedy ever since it was first announced. 

The trailers were uproarious and it was getting some stellar, two-month early reviews. Not to mention its always nice to see Seth Rogen have a funny movie as the guy is one of the more talented comedic actors out there today, despite the fact he plays nearly the same character in every film. 

For some inexplicable reason, I've always been a Zac Efron fan, even from the days when he was singing in High School cafeterias. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I think its just because I knew he would end up being big someday. After a string of commercial and critical flops, I was looking forward to Neighbors being his re-breakout role. (I may be one of the only ones but I also still hope that his name is in the hat for a role in the new Star Wars trilogy as I think he would do a fantastic job)

Suffice it to say, I went into Neighbors with high expectations. Probably on the borderline of too high when you step back and consider this is a simple film about frat vs. family, but oh well. It ended up not mattering because Neighbors lived up to my expectations and is, so far, the funniest movie of 2014. 

Would it surprise you if I told you that McLovin was the least funny aspect
of this film?

Aussie hottie and American chubby.
Makes sense?

Neighbors could have ended up being crap. It's not exactly the most original plot in the world as "versus" comedies have been around for ages. Frats vs. families have been done before and a lot of times these frat/party based films spend way too much time focusing on how "cool" the party is that it loses sight of any comedic value that they were attempting *cough Project X cough cough*. Not so with Neighbors. Instead, Neighbors introduces us to Seth Rogen as Mac and Rose Byrne as his Australian wife, Kelly (don't even get me started questioning how that relationship actually worked out) and their adorable baby Stella. And when I say adorable I mean the single cutest baby I've ever seen in a movie. Just melts your heart every time you see her. Anyway, they are a couple that's new to the parenting game and trying to find their groove in their new-ish home. Mac has a cubicle based job and Kelly stays at home with Stella, aka rather boring lives. Sooner or later, a frat movies in next door and the two of them know that they need to take proactive action to contain the partying and the noise. And so begins the tango...one hell of a hilarious tango I might add.

Ladies, no need to even say it.
You're welcome.

Efron vs. Rogen dance off.
Pretty much sums up all of my college party
experiences.

Neighbors is almost a near perfect mix of crude one-liners, gag out scenes, physical comedy, and party debauchery. Personally, I tend to favor one-liner-heavy comedies more than most. Neighbors has quite a few, but certainly no where near as quotable as recent Will Ferrell comedies or last year's This is the End. But that's not too big of an issue when everything else is as funny as it is. Rogen is great again and adds a sense of comedic credibility to the proceedings. Dave Franco continues his rise towards surpassing his brother and is just as funny in this film as he has ever been. Not to mention that his Robert DeNiro Meet the Parents impression is absolutely SPOT ON. Most of the other frat members occur in the background and only have a few funny lines. I found Mintz-Plasse to be far underutilized as I'm not sure I laughed at a single one of his on-screen moments. In all honesty though, the film belongs to Efron with Rose Byrne co-hosting. Rogen probably has more screen time than both but we already know that he is funny. The comedic talent that comes from Efron and Byrne is shocking and funny in its own right. It reminds me a lot of when Channing Tatum broke out his comedic muscle for 21 Jump Street and was downright hilarious. The same happens here. Efron's often-shirtless, douchey fraternity President, Teddy, is a god in the world of college. Problem is that he graduates in two weeks. Efron's comedic timing is fantastic as is his wild passion behind the character, making him come across as slightly insane in some scenes. I don't doubt that this will be the role that puts Efron back on the map. Also impressive is Byrne, who, in all of her Australian-accent glory, lets it all go and gets down and dirty with the boys. She curses, she makes out with girls, she parties, and she is hilarious. Who knew?

But the film doesn't stop there. It goes on to explore a meaningful message about life after the party known as "college" and how it should be taken seriously. I know that may come as a huge shock to any frat bros currently reading this but yes, there is life after college, and no, you will most definitely not be as "cool" as you are now. It's a lesson that Efron has to learn the hard way, but it adds a sincere message to the proceedings which is hard to come by with comedies.

I also found the film to have a fantastic soundtrack, as well as being visually/aesthetically pleasing. It's filmed with a lot more care than most comedies and the cinematography shows. The party scenes are filmed with energy and creative uses of party lasers, lights, smoke, etc. I never thought I would say that I was impressed by the visual style of a comedy like this, but hey, here I am.

"You've violated the circle of trust Focker!"

Neighbors is one of the first films in a long time where my expectations were right on the money. It didn't surpass my hype, but nor did it falter under my lofty expectations. It may not have the legs that some other, one-liner-heavy, comedies do but it is such a fun trip to the theaters if only to see the breakout comedic talents of Byrne and Efron (and that obnoxiously cute baby).

Not to mention it boasts a message that I think a lot of young adults from my generation need to learn:

Just because the party ends doesn't mean life ends too.

CONS:

• Lighter on the one-liners than I would have hoped
• Chris Mintz-Plasse is very underutilized
• The side plot dealing with Mac and Kelly's friends was unnecessary and never really funny
• The trailers gave away a few too many of the gags

PROS:

• A great comedic combination of physical comedy, one-liners, gag spoofs, and party scenes
• Visually well crafted
• Fitting/hilarious soundtrack
• That baby is adorable. Cutest baby ever
• Dave Franco shows his best comedic talent to date. His Robert DeNiro impression gets its own bullet point
• Rogen brings his usual self to the party
• Bryne lets loose and we see what she is really capable of in a funny setting. One of the film's highlights
• Efron really brings his A-game here and ends up stealing the show. He easily switches between comedy, dramedy, being a frat bro, being a psycho, and everything in between. Him and Rogen have some fantastic "versus" chemistry together
• The message of the film does not get lost in the shuffle and although it appears to be forming in the later stages, its meaning is appreciated and heartfelt

Rath's Review Score: 9/10