Neighbors
1/4
Starring: Seth Rogen, Rose Byrne, Zac Efron, Dave Franco, Ike Barinholtz
Rated R for Pervasive Language, Strong Crude and Sexual Content, Graphic Nudity, and Drug Use Throughout
This is a letter to Seth Rogen, star and co-producer of "Neighbors."
Dear Seth,
SHUT UP!
God, do you even know how to stop talking anymore? I know that you started out as a stand-up comic when you were 13, and you probably like to improvise, but seriously dude. There is such a thing as overkill, and you cross the line a lot in this movie. A whole lot. The great William Shakespeare once said, "Brevity is the soul of wit." You should think about that the next time you make a movie.
The concept is a pretty good one for a comedy. You play Mac (Rogen), who is married to Kelly (Byrne...good choice here) and you have a cute baby named Stella (Elise and Zoey Vargas). You've moved into a happy home when all the sudden you have neighbors. Instead of the gay neighbors you think you're getting, you have a frat house of rowdy frat boys led by Teddy (Efron), the frat president, and Pete (Franco), his right hand man. Initially, you guys get along great after Teddy and Pete agree to keep it down (and invite you two to the party). But when you call the cops after the second party (and Teddy sees you), it turns into all out war.
Like I said, it's a great idea for a comedy. "Animal House" meets "War of the Roses," right? Apparently not.
Seth, I can safely say that either you completely overestimated the worth of the script, or you completely tanked it on your own. Some of the potentially funny bits are ruined by how long they go on. The scene where you and Rose Byrne debate on how to approach the frat brothers was amusing at first. Then it went on. And on. And on. A comic riff can't survive for more than about 10 seconds, and you two dragged it out to 30 seconds, if not longer. Either have it build to something, or keep it short. Will Shakespeare, remember?
And that's not the only instance where this happens. The majority of the film's scenes are like this. You know the scene where Pete apologizes to Teddy, and they start rhyming? First of all, it's not even close to being clever, and it's dragged out soooooooo long! What were you thinking?
I'd be lying if I said that the film is completely devoid of laughs. It's not. There are some bits where, in spite of myself, I laughed pretty hard. But here's the thing: they were short. Will Shakespeare, remember?
As a producer, it is up to you to make sure that the script is workable and things move in a positive direction. Rose Byrne and Zac Efron, who would be more effective if he had better things to say, do what they can, but the jokes run on for far too long, and frankly, they're not all that funny to begin with. You've lost the human touch that made your past movies so funny. Movies like "The 40 Year Old Virgin" and to a lesser extent, "Knocked Up," were funny because the allowed us to see the funny side of human nature (albeit in a crude and gross way). Here, it's just gross with no edge or humanity.
It's not as bad as "This is the End," mainly because I didn't feel supremely cheated by a waste of a great concept. But unless you get your act together, I'm going to tell people that if your name is on the marquee, then they should stay away.
Seriously man, talk to Kenneth Branagh. He knows all about Shakespeare, and could definitely give you some tips.
Sincerely,
Mighty Mike
Starring: Seth Rogen, Rose Byrne, Zac Efron, Dave Franco, Ike Barinholtz
Rated R for Pervasive Language, Strong Crude and Sexual Content, Graphic Nudity, and Drug Use Throughout
This is a letter to Seth Rogen, star and co-producer of "Neighbors."
Dear Seth,
SHUT UP!
God, do you even know how to stop talking anymore? I know that you started out as a stand-up comic when you were 13, and you probably like to improvise, but seriously dude. There is such a thing as overkill, and you cross the line a lot in this movie. A whole lot. The great William Shakespeare once said, "Brevity is the soul of wit." You should think about that the next time you make a movie.
The concept is a pretty good one for a comedy. You play Mac (Rogen), who is married to Kelly (Byrne...good choice here) and you have a cute baby named Stella (Elise and Zoey Vargas). You've moved into a happy home when all the sudden you have neighbors. Instead of the gay neighbors you think you're getting, you have a frat house of rowdy frat boys led by Teddy (Efron), the frat president, and Pete (Franco), his right hand man. Initially, you guys get along great after Teddy and Pete agree to keep it down (and invite you two to the party). But when you call the cops after the second party (and Teddy sees you), it turns into all out war.
Like I said, it's a great idea for a comedy. "Animal House" meets "War of the Roses," right? Apparently not.
Seth, I can safely say that either you completely overestimated the worth of the script, or you completely tanked it on your own. Some of the potentially funny bits are ruined by how long they go on. The scene where you and Rose Byrne debate on how to approach the frat brothers was amusing at first. Then it went on. And on. And on. A comic riff can't survive for more than about 10 seconds, and you two dragged it out to 30 seconds, if not longer. Either have it build to something, or keep it short. Will Shakespeare, remember?
And that's not the only instance where this happens. The majority of the film's scenes are like this. You know the scene where Pete apologizes to Teddy, and they start rhyming? First of all, it's not even close to being clever, and it's dragged out soooooooo long! What were you thinking?
I'd be lying if I said that the film is completely devoid of laughs. It's not. There are some bits where, in spite of myself, I laughed pretty hard. But here's the thing: they were short. Will Shakespeare, remember?
As a producer, it is up to you to make sure that the script is workable and things move in a positive direction. Rose Byrne and Zac Efron, who would be more effective if he had better things to say, do what they can, but the jokes run on for far too long, and frankly, they're not all that funny to begin with. You've lost the human touch that made your past movies so funny. Movies like "The 40 Year Old Virgin" and to a lesser extent, "Knocked Up," were funny because the allowed us to see the funny side of human nature (albeit in a crude and gross way). Here, it's just gross with no edge or humanity.
It's not as bad as "This is the End," mainly because I didn't feel supremely cheated by a waste of a great concept. But unless you get your act together, I'm going to tell people that if your name is on the marquee, then they should stay away.
Seriously man, talk to Kenneth Branagh. He knows all about Shakespeare, and could definitely give you some tips.
Sincerely,
Mighty Mike
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