Neighbors - B

Rated R, 97 minutes

Unoriginal but crowd-pleasing "Neighbors" is profane, adult fun

Zac Efron and Seth Rogen

If you want to know what it's like living next door to a frat house, then the energetic new comedy "Neighbors" will give you insight into that. While not exactly revelatory (or realistic for that matter), it's still tremendous fun from its less-annoying-than-usual starts, Zac Efron and Seth Rogen. A couple (Rogen and Rose Byrne) with a newborn baby move into a new neighborhood and face unexpected difficulties following the establishment of a frat house in the adjacent residence. An intensive conflict between the two parties (Zac Efron, Dave Franco and others) ensues. Directed by Nicholas Stoller ("The Five Year Engagement"), it's as bawdy and dirty as you might expect, but you'll find yourself laughing more than expected as well, even if it's as predictable as the day is long. It earns its laughs, and more than earns than R-rating, and this is a very adult comedy that definitely isn't for the kids. The frat-versus-family premise runs its course redundantly by the last act, and there really isn't a clear message, except that everyone, including frat brothers, are family and must take care of each other. Rogen's chatty uncoolness comes in handy here, as does Efron's blank, handsome stares that still resemble posing. Parties, hijinks and all sorts of other things happen (a hilarious bit with some airbags is the most memorable), most of which can't be published on this family site. The predictable "Neighbors" is a bawdy crowd-pleaser and on that note it does its job just fine and should be a welcome hit for both Efron and Rogen.

Wes's Grade: B