Starring Seth Rogen (This Is The End) and Rose Bryan (Bridesmaids) as the new parents on the block , Mac and Kelly, Neighbors is a frantic riot that wades in the shallow end of “dick” jokes before diving in headfirst, and rarely coming up for a breath. 

When Delta Psi moves in next door with hopes of make it on “The Wall,” not by creating beer-pong like their ancestors, but by throwing incessant bangers, Kelly and Mac try their best to play it cool. But, as the film sharply depicts, the desire to let inhibitions run loose isn’t confined by age. After, as Dave Franco’s Meet the Fockers DeNiro put it, he “violated the circle of trust” (and upset Jinxy cat), Mac and Kelly start an all-out war between the houses. It fills the same void as attending those parties (or Kelly making out with Franco’s Pete) did, except they both get to feign higher ground (well, their daughter did put a dirty condom in her mouth, so they do have some reason to be upset).

While the first act of the film is more a collage of slapstick humor and fast-paced riffing, the rest of the film climaxes in a dizzying fashion. With party scenes, directed by Nicholas Stoller, as vibrant as the ones out of Spring Breakers, and an absolutely incredible, show-stealing, performance by Zac Efron (as Teddy Sanders, the Abercrombie-model President of the frat) the film proves to have a solid backbone.

Although it may not stick with you as much as even This Is The End, you’ll immediately want to rewatch it simply because of how the film manages to get exponentially better in its short run-time. From the scattered airbags, to the breastfeeding, the side-by-side comparisons of Efron and Rogen’s physique, to their final brawl. From Hannibal Buress as the cop that likes to “fuck with you when you’re high,” to the many subtle gags throughout (Mac checking his baby’s crib for an airbag), Neighbors proves to be an another hilarious effort from Rogen, that tries to hit the sweet spot between comedy and drama.

Even though it may not have balanced both aspects perfectly this time around, Efron’s turn as the Frat President is well worth the often sporadic ride.

RATING: 8.5/10