Plot Synopsis: Young new parents Mac (Seth Rogen) and Kelly (Rose Byrne) struggle when their new neighbours turn out to be a fraternity crew.

Review:

I am a big Seth Rogen fan. I love most of his raunchy comedies from Knocked Up (2007) and Superbad (2007) to last years This Is The End, his comedies all revolve around young men struggling to become mature adults. His characters tend to hold on to their youth. Enjoying video games and weed instead of working proper jobs and supporting their girlfriends/spouses. Recently Rogen has grown up somewhat as last years meta-comedy This Is The End showed a new side to his persona and with Bad Neighbours we see Rogen finally accepting his role as an adult.

Rogen plays Mac, the average Rogen character, self-deprechating, shallow, smokes weed, loves television and has a hot girlfriend. His character Mac is recently married to Kelly (Rose Byrne, playing in her native Australian tongue) and has a six month old baby. The opening scene introduces the audience to the films raunchy nature right away as the couple tries to have spontaneous sex only to be interrupted by their baby watching. We can see that the two are still struggling with their new lives as parents and yearn for their years of partying and living carefree. When they decide to go out they take so long preparing the baby for the trip that they get tired and fall asleep. Being a new father myself I can empathise with their predicaments.

Things turn quickly for the couple as their new neighbours turn out to be Teddy (Zac Efron) and Pete (Dave Franco) two fraternity brothers. They have their fraternity behind them and prepare the house for parties and debauchery. Mac and Kelly worry about the noise they’ll start however don’t want to be the prude neighbours calling the police. What ensues is a game of cat and mouse as Mac and Kelly try and get Teddy and his crew to move out. The ongoing capers that follow are highly enjoyable and anyone who loves Seth Rogen and his previous raunchy comedies won’t be disappointed in what is delivered here.

Zac Efron  sheds his Disney image by playing the bad boy who is so obsessed with his fraternity and partying that he struggles with deciding on a career path. Dave Franco (James brother) also plays well against Efron and shows his comedy potential after his breakout role in 21 Jump Street (2012). Jerrod Carmichael as Garf provides a great breakout performance and I look forward to seeing him in the future.

Director Nicholas Stoller (Forgetting Sarah Marshall) provides the film with a heavy party spirit. Providing the frat house party scenes with all the strobe lights and club music to make you feel the frat house nature. Overall the film is a success and can be added to the list of the superior comedies over the last few years.

Rating: 4 Stars