Neighbors

Neighbors

Rated R and Released in Grand Rapids 5/9/14

Reviewed 5/13/14 at Celebration North Theatre

with Gary, Ben and Jackie

2 1/2 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

This is the second one in a row that will appeal to certain groups, although this demographic is probably wider than Moms Night Out. College age males - this one is for you! Although young parents might be applauding as comical Seth Rogen (Mac) and darling Rose Byrne (Kelly) playing Gen-X new parents display a few victories over thier frat boy neighbors. I am sure when the four of us arrived in the fairly busy show, the audience was surely thinking we were in the wrong movie. We weren't. And we hung in there. Ben thought it was like Animal House, although he liked that one much better. All of us nearing the conclusion thought, "End this already!"

Mac and Kelly have a dilemma - go to the rave their friends are pleading they attend and bring their wide-eyed darling baby girl OR be good parents and just stay put. After much contemplating, they realize what many young moms and dad realize - it's easier to stay at home. But there is something far worse looming - they have new neighbors moving in. It doesn't take any time at all to see where this is headed. Welcome to the neighborhood fraternity house!

The president of the Greek brotherhood is Teddy Sanders, played by super cutie, and sometimes shirtless, Zac Efron and his second in command is Frank, played by fresh faced Dave Franco (brother to James Franco). At first the relationship is amicable, but then very quickly all hell breaks loose. The war is on. We found ourselves chuckling here and there, but then it was time to leave and anxiety set in. We had to make a fast break for the exit, lest any of our kids' friends recognized us in the theatre. Phew!

QUIET Rating system: 2 1/2 Js

Quality: JJ

Understood story:  JJJ

Interest: JJj

Entertainment:  JJJj

Time:  JJJj