‘Bad Neighbours’ is an interesting look at maturity and what it means to be an adult... as seen through the lens of some very immature characters.
Promising laughs, heart and a bittersweet message about transitioning through the phases of life, Bad Neighbours needed to be many things. Luckily, the comedic team at the helm of this latest Seth Rogen comedy vehicle know how to multitask and the film is all the better for it.
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Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne play Mac and Kelly Radner. They're a young couple who have just had their first baby and bought their first house. The two are struggling though, to leave behind their party-goer lifestyles and settle down.
Enter Zac Efron and Dave Franco as Teddy and Pete, two college seniors who run a notoriously loud and raucous fraternity... who just happen to have moved in next door.
The battle is on as Rogen and Byrne attempt to keep their street peaceful while Efron and Franco decide that this is going to be the biggest party year for their frat.
Firstly it should be noted that the style of humour at play in this film is decidedly crass and in many cases the jokes are based on sexual acts or the excessive use of drugs, alcohol and swearing. Audiences who find that kind of thing distasteful should simply avoid the film. But the intended audience for this film are those who are already familiar with Rogen and Co.'s unique brand of comedy, so the toilet humour and visual gags regarding bodily functions should come as no surprise to most viewers.
The gags that are present will frequently have the audience in stitches as most are based on everyday experiences being taken to extremes, whether it’s a couple trying to rekindle their love life after the birth of their first child or college students concerned over which girl is with which guy.
The climax of the film could have packed a stronger emotional punch given the events that preceded it, however, in the end this is a film about laughs and there are plenty of those in abundance.
Stand-out performances come from Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne who are both incredibly funny and endearing as our two set-upon leads. Zac Efron also has an unexpected and wonderful opportunity to flex his comedic muscles here and some of the biggest laughs in the film go to his character Teddy.
In fact the whole cast is in fine form and everyone gets their moment to shine in this outrageous college comedy.
Frequently over the top and with the motto that more-is-better, ‘Bad Neighbours’ is a comedic dessert and if audiences can get on board with the style of humour, there are good times to be had here.
★★★
‘Bad Neighbours’ is currently screening in cinemas.
