As much as the first Neighbors examined reinforced broski attitudes and behaviors long accepted by American culture, its sequel Sorority Rising explores feminism through the new generation.

Which is to say: not as deeply as it could. The progressive mindset behind the film is more of a framework for the plot than an agenda to be pushed, for the laughs are always the main focus (and they rarely let up). The new focus gives the film an edge that is almost necessary to follow up a film that didn’t beg to be sequelized, and keeps the antics from being too much of a tired rehash even though the whole structure have been lifted from the original. It’s admirable to see a male-focused comedy team contemplate these themes, even if it doesn’t dig as deep as the opportunities presented. For example, why present a toddler girl’s love of the word “no” within moments of a frathouse sign reading “no means yes” without mining the defiant “no” for its inherent power?

Continue reading “In Review!: “Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising”” →