Neighbors was a fun film, it had raunchy humor that tried a bit too hard to be shocking and gross for the sake of cheap laughs, sure, but it was really funny when some of those jokes landed. However, doing the same thing again, exactly the same way, going so far as to even repeat some of the jokes, it’s just a poor way to make a sequel. That’s the problem that Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising is suffering from, it’s the exact same film as the original, but worse in every way.
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The Movie Review
Just when Mac and Kelly Radner thought they could finally settle into domestic bliss, fate had other plans in store. The arrival of the Kappa Nu sorority next door threatened to upend their lives once again, and this time, they were dealing with a rowdy group of young women who refused to be tamed.
At first, the couple tried to reason with the sorority leaders, hoping to avoid a repeat of their previous conflict with the Delta Psi Beta fraternity. But as tensions mounted, it became clear that this was no ordinary neighborly dispute. Lies, cheating, and even stealing became par for the course, as both sides begin fighting tooth and nail for victory.
The crass and crude humor of Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising is as subtle as a sledgehammer, pounding viewers over the head with sex toys, pot paraphernalia, and vulgar language.
The shock value is turned up to eleven, with scenes that make even the most hardened horror movie fans cringe. But amidst the relentless onslaught of repulsive gags, the film struggles to find genuine humor. The result is a forgettable comedy that leaves viewers wondering if there was anything truly worthwhile buried beneath all the shock and crudeness.
The portrayal of the college girls is particularly problematic, as the movie seems torn between trying to appeal to preteens and raunchy adult comedy fans.
The worst part is that while it tries to tackle weighty topics like sexism and prejudice, it ultimately falls short, relying too heavily on tired slapstick gimmicks which further reinforce those stereotypes in the film itself. As the film careens from one tasteless joke to the next, it’s hard to tell whether it’s even aware of the messages it’s delivering.
The sequel boasts a returning lineup of familiar faces, including Seth Rogan as the affable Mac, Rose Byrne as the charming Kelly, and the ever-so-ridiculous Zac Efron reprising his role as the dim-witted jock, Teddy, complete with a mandatory striptease. However, the addition of Chloë Grace Moretz in the role of Shelby proves to be the highlight of the film.
While Lisa Kudrow and Kelsey Grammar make brief appearances as the university dean and Shelby’s father, respectively, the movie doesn’t strive to be anything more than a carefree and entertaining follow-up to its predecessor. The cast is at least a solid aspect of the film, as the actors do their best with the horrible material that they are given.
The Visuals
In Neighbors 2, the cinematography falls below average quality. The visuals are largely indistinguishable from the original film, but without any of the few creative sequences that made it stand out.
The camera work fails to elevate the film in any meaningful way, with uninspired framing and lackluster lighting that fails to capture the energy and spirit of the film’s humor. Simply put, the cinematography in Neighbors 2 lacks innovation and fails to add any significant value to the movie.
The Music
The same can be said for the music, which is almost non-existent aside from the pop culture hit songs that are featured in the film during the party sequences and such.
Verdict
While there are a few chuckles to be had, Neighbors 2 ultimately falls short of delivering any truly original or side-splitting moments.
Disappointingly, the sequel fails to justify its existence and ultimately feels like an unnecessary cash grab. While the movie has some redeeming qualities, it’s far from a comedic masterpiece, and overall, it fails to capture the same magic and hilarity of its predecessor.
Perhaps the filmmakers should have taken more risks and ventured into uncharted territory, rather than relying on tired tropes and recycled jokes. Nonetheless, for those seeking a few light-hearted chuckles, there are still some decent moments to be found in this lackluster sequel.