Review of Neighbors written by Andrew J. Cohen and Brendan O’Brien, directed by Nicholas Stoller
Rating * (actually zero but then you wouldn’t be able to see it)
This site is dedicated to works of nonfiction of which this movie is definitely not. But I had the misfortune of seeing this movie and wanted to pass on my thoughts to help someone else from wasting their time and money.
I rarely spend money to see comedies, super hero flicks, and the comic book trash that Hollywood insists on releasing. But I was in the mood for a laugh and this movie made 58 million dollars on opening weekend. It had favorable reviews – you’ll laugh so hard you’ll want to see it again because you will have missed something. Guess what. I didn’t laugh. I definitely do not want to see this movie again. And I’m sure I didn’t miss anything.
Is the movie going audience so desperate for entertainment that they will over hype something as bad as this movie? How can a script that must have been written in an hour make over 100 million dollars at the box office? I’m a fan of Seth Rogen, but even the best comedians can’t improvise their way through a movie. Note to everyone involved in this film: people don’t talk like that, people don’t act like that, people don’t think like that.
The best actor in this movie was the baby, especially her Tom Cruise Risky Business imitation. Note to the studio executives: this is not what you should be spending your time and efforts on. I don’t care if it makes a bazillion dollars. Movies should entertain, they should enlighten you, they should have a purpose. This film had none of those qualities.
Please let me offer an alternative movie going experience. There is a movie out right now that has probably made one tenth of Neighbors’ gross. It’s called The Railway Man. It’s based on a true story. This is the kind of movie that should be making 100 million dollars.