Universal(NEW YORK) — 2014’s Neighbors was a funny movie. It also made $150 million at the box office, which is why we have a sequel. You may not have asked for Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising, but be grateful you got it.
In a terrific and absolutely gross opening scene, married couple the Radners (Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne) are back, doing the same thing they were doing in the opening scene of the first movie, which this time it results in a disgusting sight gag – one sure to make you both laugh and slap yourself in the forehead, because you won’t believe what you just saw.
Then we get to catch up with the brothers of Delta Psi. They’re a little older now and thriving in their respective jobs – except for Zac Efron’s Teddy. This scene includes one of the movie’s best jokes, which doubles as terrific social commentary, and also has a twist, which also serves as terrific social commentary. It’s not often that “dude-bro” humor produces a cutting joke about social injustice.
Enter Chloë Grace Moretz as Shelby, a college freshman disappointed with the local sorority scene. So she and a few of her new friends start their own sorority, and – surprise – move next door to the Radners. Turns out Teddy, after a falling out with his best friend (Dave Franco), has also been living there. He agrees to help grow the sorority, while also hoping to exact revenge on the Radners.
Like the first movie, a battle between the Radners and, this time, the sorority ensues. And once again, its brand of gross-out sight gags is used to explore a range of feminist and social themes. Male or female, Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising is going to make you squirm — but most importantly, it’s going to make you laugh, a lot.
Four out of five stars.
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