Director Nicholas Stoller
Genre Comedy
Cast Chloe Grace Moretz, Rose Byrne, Seth Rogen, Zac Efron
Rating R
Release Date May 20th, 2016
“After a sorority moves in next door, which is even more debaucherous than the fraternity before it, Mac and Kelly have to ask for help from their former enemy, Teddy.”
Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising is the sequel to the 2014 film that was very well received by viewers and critics alike. Nicholas Stoller returns to the director’s chair but this time around he actually wrote the screenplay as well. Stoller is building himself a decent resume directing both Neighbors films, as well as the hilarious comedies Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him to the Greek. He is currently filming the new animated film, Storks. Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising stars Seth Rogen, Zac Efron, Rose Byrne, and Chloe Grace Moretz.
Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising follows up the success of the first film by sticking with a similar formula, which is that of raunchy humor and endless prank wars. And much like the first film, it works. This is a simple and effective example of a fun time at the theater. We are again greeted with a cast we can’t get enough of, consisting of Seth Rogen, Zac Efron, Rose Byrne, and the welcomed addition of Chloe Grace Moretz. Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising does up the ante in a rather unexpected area, adding heart and some genuine emotion tangled in between a script consisting of warranted and seemingly boundless R-rated humor. The characters experience genuinely touching moments that add surprisingly effective depth to their respective backstories, making this a sequel worth making. As a nod to Stoller, I was pleasantly surprised by the script and felt that the story didn’t quite unfold as I expected, which was refreshing. Some of the jokes fall flat, but most are well received leaving a more than favorable balance.
Surprisingly enough, the weak point in Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising is easily the acting. The core of the cast which is Seth Rogen, Zac Efron, and Rose Byrne, take care of business as expected. Chloe Grace Moretz does well and is a welcomed addition. I have been a fan of hers dating back to 2010’s Kick-Ass. I feel that the weakness of the acting fell on the other sorority sisters, namely Kiersey Clemons (Beth) and Beanie Feldstein (Nora), who got the majority of the screen time alongside Grace Moretz. Clemons and Feldstein weren’t terrible but I feel like they were vastly outperformed by the rest of the cast, and therefore came across as less believable in their roles. Feldstein did accomplish somewhat of a character niche as the out of control loose cannon of the group.
Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising wasn’t my all-time favorite movie and I can admit that without hesitation. But (yes, there is always a but), I honestly enjoyed the movie from start to finish and felt that it served as a more than worthy sequel. Case in point, if you enjoyed the first film you will undoubtedly enjoy this one. I do feel that the overall entertainment value could have been improved with one or two cast changes but its nothing I intend on shedding too many tears over. Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising is not without its flaws, but it is a very effective comedy with enough heart to warrant a genuine recommendation.
