Back to school

Carla Gallo, Ike Barinholtz, Zac Efron, Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne in "Neighbors 2." Image courtesy Universal Pictures.

“Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising” is a better film than it has any right to be. It sounds like a backhanded compliment, but the phrase is a legitimate form of flattery for a film that has a number of factors going against it. This is, after all, a sequel to a film that earns the same compliment, a follow up without any real purpose to exist story wise, featuring what appears to be a recycled plot, and starring Zac Efron fresh off the horrendous “Dirty Grandpa” and few other less than encouraging projects. The fact that the first one was popular enough to warrant a sequel is impressive enough; that the sequel is more interesting and often funnier than its predecessor is almost unbelievable.

Picking up about two years after the events from the first one – old enough for the central couple's daughter Stella to talk – “Neighbors 2” returns Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne as harried couple Mac and Kelly Radner, who are in the midst of selling their home to move to the suburbs and are expecting child No. 2. All they have to do is wait 30 days for the home to clear escrow before they can pack up and head to their new home; otherwise they're on the hook for two houses they can’t afford. But, of course, fate intervenes in the form of three freshman coeds (Chloë Grace Moretz, Kiersey Clemons and Beanie Feldstein) intent on starting a sorority. Guided and spurred on by old Radner foe Teddy Sanders (Zac Efron), the girls establish their new home across the way from the Radner house, starting a war between the students and the family, who are joined by accomplices Jimmy (Ike Barinholtz) and Paula (Carla Gallo). Shenanigans involving airbags, pranks, pot, bikinis, sexual aids, and sanitary products ensue.

Much of that description sounds awfully familiar to the first “Neighbors,” especially the escalating prank war and the battle between the young and the (comparatively) old. And “Neighbors 2” does on occasion lift a few things from its predecessor, most notably the resurrection of the airbag jokes and a love for some really cheap special effects (theoretically making the action more comical, but not in practice). What sets it apart though is a major shift in tone from the frat bros in the first film to the sorority sisters in the making for this one, a layer of sweetness and gentleness the original mostly eschewed in favor of  bitterness and edge. The change isn't rooted on the shift in gender of the participants – the film goes out of its way to depict the women as far more cutthroat in their pranks than Efron's old crew – but from a change in sympathies for the combatants. There remains a level of understanding for why the Radners engage in a conflict with the women across the street; they're a normal enough (albeit not very bright) couple with one child to raise and a second on the way seeking to build their family.

Yet the multitude of filmmakers – director Nicolas Stoller and an armada of screenwriters including Rogen – reserve a lot of sympathy for the girls too. All they seek is a place to call their own away from the negative influences of the fraternity parties and the dangers that lurk within those houses. They see a system that keeps them down and strips them of their agency as women; wanting to maintain their safety and encourage camaraderie is a noble and worthwhile thing to do. “Neighbors 2” asks for, and earns, endearment for the neophyte sorority sisters, as well as for Efron's Teddy, whose purpose remains unfulfilled as his friends advance into adulthood. Mentoring the sorority offers some direction within an area he has some expertise with. Teddy is, at heart, a decent enough guy, as shown in an engagement scene between his best friend Pete (Dave Franco) and Pete's boyfriend. He's just a dude who could use a break and something to look forward to.

What happens to Teddy at the end is very sweet, as is the resolution for the Radner clan and for the sorority sisters. It’s a milder conclusion than the one offered in “Neighbors,” but it's really the most logical and fairest way for things to end for all parties involved. Everyone grows up a little bit, and the touch of adulthood tones down “Neighbors 2's” general vulgarity and lewdness. There's no bitter aftertaste with this film; it may just be one of the gentlest films to have a running subplot featuring a vibrator.

Review: Four out of Five Stars

Click here to see the trailer.

Rating: R

Run time: 92 minutes

Genre: Comedy

Ask Away

Target audience: People who enjoyed the first one along with fans of Seth Rogen, Zac Efron and Rose Byrne.

Take the whole family?: A whole lot of cursing and drug use in this make it a little inappropriate for kids.

Theater or Netflix?: Not a problem to see it in theaters, but not exactly vital either. Matinee it if need be.

Is Efron redeemable?: He can be a likable enough lead actor depending on whose working on the project with him. Play him off a slumming Robert De Niro and its a disaster, but give actors like Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne to do the heavy comedic lifting and his charm and handsomeness can shine through. He does exceptional work as Teddy, and hopefully that carries over in future projects.

Watch this as well?: The original “Neighbors” is entertaining and more often than not quite funny. The casting of Kiersey Clemons in this one though is enough to backdoor a recommendation for “Dope,” which is very messy but interesting and sometimes hilarious.