If there was ever a movie making a super-quick cash-in – then this comedy sequel is it.
This follow-up to the 2014 original looks like its storyline was written on the back of a napkin five minutes before production started – and it shows.
There’s no denying it offers up just about enough laughs for a passable night’s popcorn-munching entertainment, but the movie’s bizarre pacing is way off as it tries to juggle the mini-stories of returning couple Mac (Seth Rogen) and Kelly (Rose Byrne), Zac Efron’s beleaguered fellow returnee Teddy, and Chloe Grace Moretz’s (Kick-Ass) rebellious student newcomer Shelby.
After reclaiming their neighbourhood after the antics of Teddy and company (Dave Franco’s Pete cameos here) last time out, Mac and Kelly – who’s pregnant with their second daughter – have finally sold their house to make the next step up the property ladder and move to a more affluent area.
But with their home in ‘escrow’ – which basically means their buyers have thirty days to make sure nothing is wrong with the property – disgruntled Shelby scrambles enough cash together to move into the next door house which proved to be the catalyst for so much havoc being wreaked last time out.
With the help of her pals – Rebel Wilson-alike Nora (Beanie Feldstein) and Beth (Kiersey Clemens) – they create an all-girl sorority that turns Mac and Kelly’s world upside down, leaving them to take matters into their own hands with their prospective buyers potentially turning up at any time.
But with partying going on until the early morn, which makes their life a living hell, the couple get a helping hand from their previously sworn enemy Teddy – who was discarded by the girls after initially helping them get up and running – which really ups the ante.
Particularly as he’s privy to the information that the girls are up to less than illegal means to pay their rent due to some shady drug dealings, which leads to an all-out neighbourhood war between the two parties.
But unfortunately the gags aren’t as good as last time round, the jokes aren’t as plentiful, and it simply isn’t as funny.
The first movie got three stars on these very pages a couple of years back, and as this isn’t as inventive it only gets a two.
It’s not bad… just a bit meh.
Gavin Miller
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Cast: Seth Rogen, Zac Efron, Chloe Grace Moretz, Rose Byrne, Dave Franco, Beanie Feldstein, Kiersey Clemons, Ike Barinholtz, Carla Gallo, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Jerrod Carmichael & Selena Gomez
Running Time: 1 Hr 32 Mins
Director: Nicholas Stoller
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