Those of you that have seen 2014’s Bad Neighbours will likely remember it as a watchable comedy that had a few belly-laugh moments.
It was a story of the college lifestyle versus the suburban dream (albeit on steroids) showcased by a decent set of characters.
The vast majority of the cast – led by Seth Rogen, Rose Byrne and Zac Efron – are back for Nick Stoller’s sequel, with Hit Girl herself Chloe Grace Moretz the big newcomer.
I’ll be honest with you from the off, Bad Neighbours 2 isn’t an exact reheat of the original, but it felt like more of the same.
We find Mac (Rogen), a pregnant Kelly (Byrne) and their daughter Stella looking to sell their house as they bid to move into a bigger one.
Having agreed to flog the home frat boys Delta Psi terrorised in the original, they are surprised to discover that they must go through escrow (a period of 30 days when the buyer can back out) before the deal goes through.
Naturally, things don’t go to plan. That’s because Shelby (Moretz) and her friends decide that it’s time they break the archaic rules and set up their own sorority, dubbed Kappa Nu, in Delta Psi’s old house next door.
I’m the first to admit I know very little about frats and sororities, but apparently it’s true that the girls aren’t allowed to throw parties. It’s strictly a guy thing.
With that kind of sexism in play, it’s hard to see Kappa Nu as the villains of the piece as they set about having the kind of college experience they always wanted to have.
Naturally, that sets them on a collision course with Mac and Kelly and a bitter rivalry develops (much like the original).
Speaking of the original, ex-Delta Psi leader Teddy (Efron) throws himself into the mix as he bids to discover his true calling in life.
With all of his friends moving into adulthood, Teddy is very much stuck in the past.
He ends up offering to mentor Shelby and Kappa Nu, but soon discovers that he’s very much one of the “old guys” in their eyes. Cue a reunion with Mac and Kelly, as Teddy decides to take his revenge on the partying girls.
Bad Neighbours 2 does have more going on than its predecessor, with the sexism storyline actually pretty eye-opening and well delivered.
But I didn’t find myself laughing quite as much – and I didn’t laugh a lot during the original, either.
Perhaps it’s because I’m now one of the “old guys”, but I again found Mac and Kelly’s struggles with parenthood to be the funnier threads.
Rogen has played a version of his character many times before and looks at home as Mac, while Byrne – one of the most underrated actresses out there for me – is again very funny.
Efron’s Teddy and Moretz’s Shelby are both solid characters, but I don’t think I’d be up for another outing with them.
As touched upon above, there are a host of other returning characters from the original. Dave Franco’s Pete, Ike Barinholtz’s Jimmy and Carla Gallo’s Paula all bring the crazy once again, while there is a pleasing cameo from Selena Gomez.
In short, this is watchable American comedy – but not one I could wholeheartedly recommend.
The deeper storyline is a welcome addition, as is Moretz, but Bad Neighbours 2 certainly isn’t an improvement on the original.
There is enough here for a few laughs – and fans of the original may well enjoy more of the same – but hopefully this is the end of the line for the series.
Voice Verdict: 6/10 (reviewed at Boston’s West End Cinema)
SHOWTIMES
Boston’s West End Cinema (Fri, May 13 to Thurs, May 19)
**ROH – FRANKENSTEIN LIVE (12A AL)
7.15pm (Wed)
**X-MEN: APOCALYPSE 2D (12A)
1.30pm (Wed), 5pm (Wed/Thu)
**X-MEN: APOCALYPSE 3D (12A) 8.20pm (Wed/Thu)
**ANGRY BIRDS 2D (U)
12.40pm (Sat/Sun) 4.15pm (daily), 6.15pm (daily)
**ANGRY BIRDS 3D (U)
10am (Sat/Sun) 2.45pm (Sat/Sun/Wed)
CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR 3D (12A)
1.30pm (Fri/Sat/Sun/Wed), 7.45pm (not Wed/Thu)
CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR 2D (12A)
10.20am (Sat/Sun), 5pm (daily) 8.15pm (daily)
RATCHET AND CLANK (U)
10.30am (Sat/Sun)
BAD NEIGHBOURS 2 (15)
2pm (Fri/Wed), 3.30pm (Sat), 6.30pm (daily), 8.45pm (daily)
FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS (PG)
1pm (Wed), 3.30pm (not Sat), 6pm (not Sun/Mon/Wed), 8.30pm (not Sun/Wed)
THE JUNGLE BOOK 2D (PG)
10am (Sat/Sun), 3pm (Sat/Sun), 4pm (not Sat/Sun), 8.30pm (daily)
THE JUNGLE BOOK 3D (PG)
12.20pm (Sat/Sun), 5.20pm (not Wed/Thu)
ROBINSON CRUSOE (U)
12.20pm (Sun), 2.20pm (Sat/Sun), 3.45pm (not Sat/Sun/Wed/Thu), 3.30pm (Thu)
ZOOTROPOLIS 2D (PG)
12.30pm (Sat/Sun)
KIDS’ CLUB
Sat/Sun 10.15am – Goosebumps (PG)
SILVER SCREEN
Wed 11.30am – Jungle Book 2D & 3D (PG)
**FREE LIST SUSPENDED
