BAD NEIGHBOURS

Basically…

When a frat team move in next door to new parents Mac and Kelly (Seth Rogan and Rose Byrne), they try and deal with the situation by being a sensible…but end up just realising how much they've left that generation behind.

In other words…

A harsh reminder youth is wasted on the young. 

The main men and leading ladies…

Can Seth Rogan do anything wrong? Well no, not if you consider his already glistening CV and the fact he just added to it with yet another compelling performance in yet another original comedy. His contribution is effortlessly believable as the Dad who’s not quite sure if it’s time to grow up.

Zak Efron follows up Parkland and That Awkward Moment with another strong performance and is perfectly cast alongside on-screen best friend Dave Franco who is equally super cool, uber hot and insanely popular. A third consecutive comedy, though, could see Efron typecast after doing so well to break away from his teen heartthrob status with Paperboy and Parkland.

In the chair…

Considering Nicholas Stoller’s previous work with Russell Brand and Jim Carey on films you really wouldn’t want to shout about from the rooftops (Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Get Him to the Greek, Fun With Dick and Jane, Yes Man…oh and The (awful) Five Year Engagement too) you wouldn't be blamed for expecting the worse (again). But Rogan and Efron manage to pull him through on this occasion – he owes the casting director a lot.

So…

If you’re googling this film and can only find ‘Neighbours’ don’t be confused – that’s what it’s called in America. The title was only changed for the UK and Australia to stop us confusing it with the soap (is that even still going?!) Bad Neighbours isn't one of the funniest films of the year, let’s settle that now, because with the actors and plot it could have got the sides hurting a lot more. At times the humour is even more immature than previous Rogan films so in that sense it lets itself down. But on the plus side it has the energy to keep you hooked and conveys the depth and growth of the four main characters. It’ll leave you missing the freedom of your student days but at the same time make you appreciate going home to that pile of ironing.

Worth the money? 

It’s another one you can leave your brain at the door but where’s the harm in a fun night out with mates.