Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising – Movie Review

2014’s “Neighbors” was pretty fun. By no means is it a comedy classic but it generated enough laughs and proved that Zac Efron could actually be funny.   It was also a huge hit at the box office, which is why two years later we have “Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising”.  Boy, do I hate that title.  I went into this thing with very low expectations. The track record for comedy sequels that are actually funny is not good.  The comedy is usually forced and the plot is usually just a retread of the first film.  There is no denying that “Neighbors 2” is a retread of the “Neighbors”, but unlike garbage like “Hangover 2 and 2”, this sequel is actually funny.

Two years have passed since the events in the first film.  Mac (Seth Rogan) and Kelly (Rose Byrne) are about to have their second child.  With the fraternity no longer next door, now is their chance to sell their home. However, while they are in escrow for thirty days, the Kappa Nu sorority moves in next door and the couple have good reason to worry. Kappa Nu leader Shelby (Chloë Grace Moretz) started the sorority so she and like-minded ladies could throw their own parties, instead of subjecting themselves to frat parties where women are treated only as sex objects.

Teddy (Zac Efron) has been having a tough time of things since college.  His job in retail is going nowhere and his best friend and roommate Pete (Dave Franco) is getting married and needs Teddy to find his own place.  Teddy feels that he has no value to anyone anymore.  That is until he takes it upon himself to help the girls of Kappa Nu become a real sorority.  However, when the girls decide to kick Teddy to the curb, he switches sides and fights for Mac and Kelly.

The only major difference between “Neighbors 2” and its’ predecessor is that this one deals with a sorority rather than a fraternity. Aside from that, this is really the same movie. The only thing that makes it worth watching is that it is actually funny. Even the recycled airbag jokes bring the laughs.  If you liked the first movie, you are most likely going to like this one.  Just don’t go in expecting anything original.

By: Marc Ferman