Bad Neighbours (2014)

A man carrying a baby, standing beside a younger man holding a beer, in front of a picket fence.Animal House, now with added Green Hornet

A couple with a newborn baby face unexpected difficulties after they are forced to live next to a fraternity house.


We've had more than enough films about rowdy fraternities and about rowdy neighbours to know what will happen. But what happens when you combine the two to make a film about rowdy fraternity neighbours? You get the latest Seth Rogen film.

Director Nicholas Stoller manages to touch on themes of growing up within the characters, which works well within the context of the film and makes it all the more a shame it's the most we get resembling any character development.

Surprisingly, Rose Byrne acts as more than the typical disapproving spouse we tend to see in these comedies. Instead, she manages to be responsible for some of the films more prominent moments, even providing to be the scene stealer, with Efron coming in at a close second. Seth Rogen plays the typical archetype he's known for, which should let you know whether you'd like or hate his antics.

The naked aerobics of Zac Efron certainly drew a crowd

The jokes tend to be hit and miss, relying a bit too much on shouting and improvisational humor at times, but making up for it with gems like the fraternity's unique moneymaking idea and a doctor's poorly timed delivery of news. Attempts at product placement are glaringly obvious, with time being taken out in order to service their inclusion into the film.

Unfortunately, things falls apart in the last act as everything seems to get chucked together for one last onslaught against the fraternity, going a bit too crazy in the lead-up to Chekov's gun being fired, or to be more precise, Chekov's firework.

Bad Neighbours has a fantastic cast who put all they have into their roles and while its jokes may miss as frequently as they hit, it must be recognised how well they tackle the theme of growing up.

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