Part frat comedy, part coming-of age-story, part-generational warfare and part slapstick comedy, ‘Bad Neighbors’ portrays a battle between the middle class utopia that is suburban America, and the rebellious, newly freed ethos adopted by a particularly vitriolic fraternity. It’s Efron v Rogen.

Bad NeighborsZac Efron in 'Bad Neighbours'

The obvious contrast here is that of the Hollywood hunk and the alternative geek; Rogen has carved out a strong and reliable fan base with movies like Superbad and Pineapple Express, even if the critics aren’t always on his side. While Mr. Braff is certainly trying to mould his career towards serous dramatic roles, while comedy stints like this – for an young-adult audience – are certainly… well paid.

“If a shirtless Zac Efron sells tickets,” notes John DeFore of The Hollywood Reporter, “the sight of him being bested by proudly flabby Seth Rogen may sell just as many. Isn't it strange to see Seth Rogen becoming a model for the young American grown-up?"

More: Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne are 'stupid people'

Having lamented a certain post-natal sex joke, The Guardian’s Henry Barnes says, “it’s also an extremely funny comedy that pushes Rogen’s instinctive good nature to the limit. His stoner schtick helps to take the edge off much of the film’s crassness and gives it back some charm. In its current state, Neighbors is filthy, nasty and a bit too sloppy. But it’ll scrub up lovely.”

Watch the trailer for 'Bad Neighbors' here

According to Variety’s Andrew Barker – who found more faults than other critics seemed to – Bad Neighbors is “Lewder, weirder, louder, leaner, meaner and more winningly stupid than anything its director Nicholas Stoller and star Seth Rogen have ever been involved with before,” adding: “provided that audiences don’t mind the lack of anything resembling a coherent story arc, its commercial potential ought to be enormous.”

Be not fooled by the current 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, as not all the reviews have been perfect. But expect it to settle down to a healthy 76%, with millions upon millions stacking up at the box office as Rogen plans his next foray into goofy comedy with a societal observation or nine. 

Seth RoganZac Efron
Rogen v Efron