Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising (2016)

Genre

Comedy

Director

Nicholas Stoller

Country

USA

Cast

Seth Rogen, Rose Byrne, Zac Efron, Chloë Grace Moretz, Ike Barinholtz, Carla Gallo, Kiersey Clemons, Beanie Feldstein, Dave Franco, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Jerrod Carmichael, Lisa Kudrow, Hannibal Buress, John Ealy, Selena Gomez, Kelsey Grammer, Brian Huskey, Clara Mamet, Nora Lum, Liz Cackowski, Billy Eichner, Abbi Jacobson, Sam Richardson

Storyline

When their new neighbors turn out to be a sorority even more out of control than the fraternity previously living there, Mac (Seth Rogen) and Kelly (Rose Byrne) team up with their former enemy Teddy (Zac Efron) to bring the girls down.

Opinion

Sequels, why do they even bother making them if the result is this poor? I know Hollywood is constantly looking for a way to make more money, but isn't this a bit insulting towards the audience?

And that being said, "Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising" is easily one of the worst comedies of the year. And I'm sorry for saying that, because calling it a comedy is an insult to the other films of the genre.

Even though I didn't love "Neighbors", I was expecting - and I kind of wanted - this film to be like that one. Sure, the script was awful and loaded with clichés, and the dialogue was basically nothing but bad language. However, only now that I've seen this, I'm realizing how fun that one was. And I definitely had a good time watching it.

The same can't be said for this one. The script manages to be even worse, and while the first was just supposed to be a dumb film - at least I think so -, "Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising" seems like it wants to put in contrast young versus old and naive versus experienced, but it never focuses on that, or at least not long enough to consider it valuable. It also tries to make a statement pro gay couples and marriages, but, once again, the script doesn't focus enough on that.

Unlike in the past, this time around I was able to take sides. And I stood with the old couple, played by Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne, because a, Zac Efron was helping them, and b, Chloë Grace Moretz's character was utterly annoying. And this is the second time this year she proves she is an awful actress.

I should have stayed away from this one, and I suggest you do the same. If you're in the mood of a no-brainy film, watch "Neighbors" instead. Like I said before, I didn't like it much, but I'd always pick that one over this one.

Revenge of the Nerds (1984)

Genre

Comedy

Director

Jeff Kanew

Country

USA

Cast

Robert Carradine, Anthony Edwards, Timothy Busfield, Andrew Cassese, Curtis Armstrong, Brian Tochi, Larry B. Scott, Michelle Meyrink, Ted McGinley, Donald Gibb, Matt Salinger, Julia Montgomery, Lisa Welch, John Goodman, David Wohl, Bernie Casey, James Cromwell, Alice Hirson

Storyline

When lovable nerds Gilbert (Anthony Edwards) and Lewis (Robert Carradine) embark on their freshman year at Adams College, little do they realize the perils that await them. They're beset by taunting from the jocks of Alpha Beta fraternity, which only worsens when the jocks accidentally burn down their house and toss the freshmen out of the freshmen dorm. To make matters more problematic Lewis develops a crush on pretty Betty Childs (Julia Montgomery), popular sorority sister and quarterback's girlfriend.

Opinion

Here I am again, watching and reviewing big hits of the '80s and failing to see why they were huge hits back then.

One of the many American college/sex comedies, "Revenge of the Nerds" is a lighthearted film that manages to be funny occasionally.

As you can guess from the title, the film is about nerds, who are either ignored or discriminated against by the popular 'kids'. Now, being a nerd myself, even though I'm a woman, I know the feeling of being not respected by others, and finally seeing them get even was amazing.

Despite being completely predictable, the story shows everybody that nerds are people too, and, most important, it teaches us an important lesson: be proud of who you are.

Another good thing about the film is that the nerds are a diverse group of people. While some are still stereotyped, as a whole they are very well portrayed.

All of this being said, I was still let down by the film because of the comedy. The juvenile humor did not bother me because it was exactly what I was expecting to find here, but somehow the films fails to be hilarious. There are a few good laughs, but nothing more.

However, the all-star cast is very likable, they all play their parts with a lot of enthusiasm and energy, and they make the film quite enjoyable.