Bad Neighbours review

Being that the two of the leads found fame in some of my favourite comedy films of all time, I was instantly eager to watch Bad Neighbours. Whilst Seth Rogen is known to be a funny film favourite with a back catalogue that includes Knocked Up, Zack and Miri Make a Porno and Pineapple Express, Rose Byrne only really came on to the scene when she cracked us up as uppity Maid Of Honour, Helen in Bridesmaids.

Whilst it was obvious the two would fare well in yet another slapstick comedy, Zac Efron came across as somewhat of a curveball in the casting, yet the High School Musical alumni holds more than his own as chiseled douchebag student, Teddy and warrants a lot of the film's laughs. (Not to mention, the boy is absolutely beautiful and nobody is going to complain about watching him cockily flex his muscles for an hour and a half!)

The plot is simple. A newly-married couple with an even more newly-born baby find their peaceful, grown-up neighbourhood disrupted when a party-hard college fraternity move into the house next door.  Assuming that their new neighbours will learn to respect their wishes for them to 'keep it down' if they act cool, Mac (Rogen) and Kelly (Byrne) try and get the frat to see them as hip, fun-loving parents who are up for a party every now and then. But Teddy and the rest of his frat brothers aren't as dumb as they look and soon see through the pair's facade starting all-out warfare between the two houses. 

The rivalry between Rogen and Efron works really well and you can feel it almost immediately as the (oh-so-slightly) rounded Seth looks at the tanned and built Zac with envious eyes as soon as his character spots him. It's evident that this film wouldn't have worked without some kind of chemistry between the two to make the banter work, despite their characters dislike of one another, and the unlikely duo definitely have some.  

Whilst certainly not needed, throughout the film you get a real sense that it's trying to make some sort of statement about age gaps, growing up and appreciating what you have. It makes for some slightly touching moments but because the rest of the film is so barmy, these moments don't really resonate like they obviously intend to. 

This doesn't mean that it ever eases up on the funnies however. The pace very rarely slows down which is pretty impressive, as the foolish feud escalates and the pranks become more and more ridiculous. It's stupid humour but to me, this is in no way a negative aspect of the movie as I just so happen to like that type of gag. If you don't like jokes about penises or weed, or even milk-exploding boobs then go whack out your Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy DVD or something equally as serious and avoid this romper at all costs. But if you do, it's more than worth the ticket price. 

Cautiously trying not to generalise but this movie seems to go down best with those in their mid-20's or those who can identify with both Teddy and the Radners. Viewers that have gone to university and experienced that lifestyle but perhaps moved on to "life after the party" and know how their lives are different now and how they want different things. Maybe it's because we GET the jokes almost as if they were aimed directly at us or maybe it's purely because we're still juvenile enough to enjoy the idiotic jokes but can also understand when the older couple want a good night's kip!

Either way, you're likely to leave the cinema identifying with one side more than the other whether you like it or not. Personally, it made me feel like I was a little old for my time and would like to get back to the careless parties and wild night's out that I enjoyed at university! Others may think the complete opposite but that's what makes Bad Neighbours quite an interesting one to watch, particularly if you're watching with a few mates. 

There are always going to be those who look down on a movie like this. Those who prefer their humour a little more witty and well-written but if you take it for what it is then this film will certainly entertain you. Why does comedy have to be something more than simply a laugh? Let's face it, we all still titter at real-life farts and whoever says otherwise is lying, so why can't a movie be just as basic on the jokes front? I love a film that makes me think deeply about life as much as the next guy but in terms of a comedy, as long as it makes me chuckle, I'm in.

It's crazy and rambunctious and whilst not as laugh-out-loud hilarious as comedies we've seen in the same vain over the past few years, Bad Neighbours is a funny movie and most certainly worth a watch. If you like silly comedies such as Step Brothers and Superbad, you'll like this one.