Exceedingly raunchy yet funny in equal measure, Bad Neighbours utilises the unlikely trio of Seth Rogen, Zach Efron and Rose Byrne to hilarious if at times off-putting effect in this comedy about two very different families embroiled in intergenerational war.    

Todd Phillips has a lot to answer for. While many point to Judd Apatow as the man who changed the current comedy landscape with his filth meets sentimental style of comedy, it is Phillips’s The Hangover that broke many taboos and pushed the boundaries for what audiences will accept from their comedies. Bad Neighbours has pushed those boundaries even further, and God help us that it’s a riotously funny film while doing so.

How odd then that while Bad Neighbours actor/producer Seth Rogen and director Nicholas Stoller (Forgetting Sarah Marshall) are two of Apatow’s most loyal subjects, it is the Phillips route which they’ve taken to make this comedy.

Rogen stars as Marc Radner, who along with his wife Kelly (Rose Byrne) has taken their marriage to the next level with a bouncing baby girl and a new house to raise their family in. However, domestic bliss (or is that boredom?) is put on hold when the Delta Psi Beta fraternity led by Teddy (Zac Efron) buy the house next door, and anyone who has seen a frat comedy knows that studying is the last thing on the mind for these college students.

While the casting of Seth Rogen was a given considering he has cornered the market in playing pothead man-children (although this is more a product of limited talent as opposed to clever career path), it is the inspired choices of Rose Byrne as stir crazy new mother and Zach Efron as fraternity leader with scruples that elevates the film.

More known for her dramatic chops in television shows such as Damages, Byrne has continued to surprise as an excellent comedic performer, taking that momentum from her hilarious (yet unfortunately unrewarded) turn in Bridesmaids to this role as a new mum dealing with the insecurities of parenthood. Byrne not only keeps up with a seasoned comedic actor like Rogen, but even steals scenes from him, proving once again that the girls are just as good as the boys when it comes to comedy of the R-rated variety.

Efron also continues to surprise, finally stripping away the last layers of his Disney teen heartthrob beginnings in a villainous role that is hilarious, sexy and surprisingly sympathetic. Efron could have easily played this character as a straight up douche-bag, yet there is an earnestness to his character that shines through. Teddy might be a hard partying frat boy with no responsibility and little respect, yet he does have a heart that beats under his tight torso (ladies, get ready to swoon).

The best moments in Bad Neighbours are the tit for tat shenanigans between these warring clans, with one outrageous act of sabotage after another (and the reactions to them) entertaining in its immature ingenuity.  

However, there are also moments when Stoller and co. do cross lines into crass and even offensive territory. Much like in Todd Phillips’s mega successful comedy The Hangover, the use of a baby in extreme comedic scenarios just does not work, especially when a HIV joke is thrown in for good measure. Irritating too is Rogen’s continuous persistence that every one of his films have a pro-marijuana theme, especially so in a film where he plays a father to a 6 month old (unless somewhere it has become acceptable to raise a child in a cloud of reefer).

Bawdy comedy aside, Bad Neighbours is as much about growing up as it is about partying down, and saying goodbye to youth as the responsibilities of adulthood approaches. Although that message doesn’t come across as strong as the comedic shenanigans featured throughout, a good, dirty ol’ time is had while trying to deliver it.