Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising Review

     Comedy sequels are one of the hardest obstacles to pull off in Hollywood. Not only do you have to live up the first film, but you also have to make sure that you don't get repetitive with the same jokes from the first one. While Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising sometimes relies on the same gags, this is a very much different yet enjoyable movie.
     Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising picks up with Mac (Seth Rogen) and Kelly (Rose Byrne) not only trying to expand their family, but trying to sell their house as well. When a rowdy sorority led by Shelby (Chloe Grace Moretz) moves next door, they will do whatever it takes to push them out, even team up with a former neighbor/enemy, Teddy (Zac Efron).
     This film has some really enjoyable components to it. Including the chemistry between Mac, Kelly, and Teddy. This was one aspect that made the very first movie so amusing and the director, Nicholas Stoller, picks right up from where he left off in the first movie. There's a scene in particular, without getting into spoilers, that really showcases their chemistry. Teddy is now struggling with finding his true call in life so Mac and Kelly take him in. While the heart between Mac and Teddy is not as evident as the first movie, there are still some funny and tinder moments. The chemistry is one of many gratifying elements of the film.

     Another really pleasant aspect is the story of this movie. A worry going into the film is how it could differentiate itself from the first movie and does so in very well made manner. The first film juggled with the difficulties that lie once you graduate college. This film is much more concerned with the role of women in sororities and the standards they have to live up to compared to fraternities. This is an unexpected yet very intriguing piece of the movie.
     There are also some segments of the movie that do not perform quite well. One of those is the characters of Shelby (Chloe Grace Moretz), although the sections of the film with her and her friends established a good character dynamic, Moretz did not quite fit the role for me. I've enjoyed many of her former films but she just felt a little out of place to me in this role. Although she was not particularly poor in the role, the casting did not quite fit like it should have. I also wish the film had a bit more gut busting laugh moments. The first one had a few scenes that had me laughing my ass off. Where as this film just has some well paced chuckles.
     Overall Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising is a justifiable sequel to this series which is rare in the comedy genre. While I wish there were more hilarious moments like the first and better casting at times, this is a fun movie that even if you do not catch it in theaters, you should check it out whenever it is distributed for home release.

Rating: 6.5 out of 10