"Neighbors" Review

What group of people knows how to throw a better party the American Fraternity? At least in cinema, no one. The basic structure of these films involves partying, rivalries, struggling grades, and a bitter fun-sucking dean. I simply refuse to believe that there will one day be one that does it better than National Lampoon's Animal House, and Neighbors (whilst very well done) still does not come near the legacy of Bluto, Otter, and the rest of Delta Tau Chi. 

Mac and Kelly Radner are a suburban couple with a newborn daughter, who are struggling to accept the fact their lives are changing. One day, a fraternity moves into the vacancy next door. The couple initially attempts to bond with the frat, hoping to stay peaceful and possibly recapture some of their youth and subtly telling them to keep the noise down. However, a call to the cops to report a noise complaint lands the Radner's on the wrong side of the fraternity's favor, and a war breaks out. 

The regular tropes are all here, but what keeps the film fresh is the commitment of the cast, original gags, and some surprisingly complex themes. It is certainly worthy of being in the pantheon of college movies. It's exceedingly funny when it needs to be, but the characters deal with some very interesting personal dilemmas. Just as the lead couple struggles to accept their newfound responsibilities, the fraternity brothers also find it hard to deal with the idea that while they are having a nearly endless streak of parties, they need more to their lives and there is a life that comes later. It's going to end up as a classic college party movie, but it also adds some really strong questions that the target audience should consider in themselves.

If there was anywhere to detriment the film,  it may be a little homely. There are the basic elements of storytelling here, but some of them just feel two neatly wrapped. Some, not all, are just too quickly solved. Things such as the subplot for Ike Barinholtz's character feel as though there isn't enough thought to give it a realistic conclusion. It's too simply dealt with.

Let's talk Seth Rogen for a bit. He's a very strong performer, very creative storyteller, and in real life trues to use his celebrity to benefit others. I like Rogen. A lot. But many of his characters do really have a template of what I call Rogenisms. The weed, the laugh, the jokes about his cock. It grows a little tiresome after a while. I like his performance in this movie, I really do. What he does works for the character, and he is genuinely hilarious. But at some point he needs to try something new if he doesn't want to alienate his public. 

The breakout in this movie is very clearly Zac Efron. I've said this before, he's easily the strongest performer out of anyone involved with the High School Musical franchise. Where in the past he has always played himself to that charming pretty boy mold, but here he gets to not only tackle some interesting material, he adds a new dimension of himself that I think will be to his advantage. He's all about the party on the outside, yet there are some demons inside his character that Efron is able to underscore and display at the proper moments. 

Delightful as ever is Rose Byrne, who upon reading the cast list feels a little out of place. But after seeing her work, she blends quite seamlessly into the aesthetic that Rogen films have. She is certainly raunchier than she has been before, and it works as a new strength for her to use in the future too. 

Neighbors isn't perfect, it's not the best college film, but it's rip-roaringly funny and deals with some great themes. Check it out. 

B+