Do you have annoying, loud and selfish neighbours? Here's how to solve your problem... Scott Gentry reviews "Bad Neighbours".

"Bad Neighbours" (15)
Directed by: Nicholas Stoller.
Starring: Seth Rogen, Zac Efron, Rose Byrne and Dave Franco. 
Rated: 15, for containing very strong language, drug use, strong sex, crude sex references and nudity.
Running time: 97 minutes.
Out now in UK cinemas. 

In the past five years, Seth Rogen and his co-writer/director Evan Goldberg have dominated the sub-genre of crude, yet hilarious comedy. Last year the duo wrote and directed (Rogen also starred) the summer hit, "This Is The End", which stars actors such as James Franco and Jonah Hill, portraying fictional versions of themselves and opened to critical acclaim. 

A still of Zac Efron in "Bad Neighbours".

Now, director Nicholas Stoller ("Get Him To The Greek" and "The Five Year Engagement") has placed Seth Rogen (Goldberg is still noted as a producer) amongst some of cinemas youngest stars, in "Bad Neighbours" (previously called "Townies"), which follows the story of Mac (Rogen) Kelly (Byrne) and their daughter Stella (she’s unbelievably cute!), who believe that they live in the perfect suburban town, until the day a fraternity house (led by Zac Efron) moves in next door. 

Despite its interesting, yet extremely silly premise, as you'd expect, there doesn't seem to be an aim to which the filmmakers are trying to reach, but in regards to this bawdy outing, it doesn't seem to matter. Many reasons contribute to its overall success, and that's mainly due to Stoller's talented cast. Rogen and Byrne portray a hilarious couple, who after becoming parents, realise that being married and having a baby, has taken a toll on their social life; this is where Byrne begins to steal the limelight from Rogen and a small section of the rest of the cast, due to her owning some of the most hilarious lines and scenes throughout the entire film (notably the morning after a heavily-drink induced party, in which complications arise, when Kelly decides to feed Stella).

Amongst the partying and frivolity, Craig Roberts (the main lead from Richard Ayoade's "Submarine"), Christopher Mintz-Plasse and Jerrod Carmichael also make appearances, but aren't allowed time to explore their characters and are ultimately wasted upon the audience, despite delivering some hilarious lines. Zac Efron manages to take some time off from his dramatic roles (he's excellent in "Parkland" and "The Paperboy") to provide some almost effortless support alongside the already cramped cast and works well beside Rogen, providing many improvised lines of hilarity. 

Rose Byrne and Seth Rogen in a still from "Bad Neighbours".

But, there is no middle ground here. "Bad Neighbours" could be described as an obnoxious, self-indulgent comedy that relies heavily on film (the Robert DeNiro impersonation party scene is hilarious) and television references (dressing the baby as Don Draper), or as a one-note comedy that’s forgotten in an instant. The trouble here is that the film appeals to both descriptions, and despite its far-fetched yet comical approach to comedy, there is ultimately no goal that the filmmakers are attempting to reach.

Verdict 

However funny it may be, “Bad Neighbours” could arguably work better as a series of sketches, rather than a feature length film; but even with its failures, “Bad Neighbours” is a film that works, but just not for long enough. 
 

6 stars out of 10

Written by Scott Gentry.

Film Rating Key

1-2 stars out of ten = Awful.

3-4 stars out of ten = Average.

5-6 stars out of ten = Good.

7-8 stars out of ten = Excellent.

9-10 stars out of ten = Amazing.