Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising (2016)

Ehrlich calls the sequel one of the greatest comedy sequels and praises its warm, humane humor. He especially singles out Zac Efron’s performance, while noting that the sorority sisters are less well-defined than the original’s supporting characters.

Hassenger finds the film funny and empathetic, though less conceptually sharp than its predecessor. He singles out Zac Efron’s unexpectedly nuanced, touching performance as its standout.

Keegan finds the comedy goofy and overcrowded but unexpectedly witty and poignant. She especially praises Zac Efron’s vulnerable performance and his comic use of his physicality.

The critic finds the sequel more engaging than its predecessor, though its set pieces can be merely frantic. They single out its self-awareness and political themes as strengths.

Lodge finds the sequel messy but lively, with its feminist angle adding a timely, if uneven, perspective. He particularly praises Zac Efron’s touching, deadpan portrayal of a former fratboy struggling to find his place.

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Gray finds the sequel’s social commentary intriguing but says its comedy lacks a confident pitch. He singles out Zac Efron’s empathetic performance as the film’s most consistently elevating element.

The review presents the comedy as an entertaining return with a feminist twist. It singles out the renewed beer-pong and comic antics of Zac Efron, Seth Rogen and the gang.

Bradshaw finds the sequel routine, with decent material diluted by ordinary sequel conventions. He praises Billy Eichner’s funny turn and some good lines, but says the script fails to sustain Zac Efron’s potential.

The review finds the sequel somewhat funny but ill-conceived, criticizing it as a weaker retread of the original. It particularly faults the film’s shallow, often clueless depictions of its female characters.

The critic finds the film’s feminist ambitions superficial and says it does not merit the progressive praise it has received. She singles out how the female leads often feel like mouthpieces and get less room to be funny than the male characters.

Goldberg finds the sequel hilarious and smarter than the original, making it one of the best comedy sequels. He praises its thoughtful treatment of gender dynamics while noting that some jokes and pranks feel recycled.

Douglas calls it funnier than the original and a near-perfect sequel. He praises the more consistent laughs and the way the gender switch opens up comedy about gender issues.

The critic finds the sequel surprisingly better than the original: funny, self-aware, and grounded by a stronger heart. They single out the cast’s chemistry and the film’s thoughtful, humorous treatment of gender biases.

The critic finds the sequel smarter and more mature than its predecessor, though it still needs editing. They praise its more purposeful take on growing up, while faulting scenes that feel improvised in place of written jokes.

The critic finds the sequel reliably funny and entertaining despite its familiar story. They fault its oddly cautious treatment of the sorority sisters’ sexuality.

The critic finds the sequel formulaic and uneven but ultimately very funny, with more on its mind than laughs alone. He praises the cast’s comic chemistry and the moments where the absurd jokes expose gender hypocrisy.

Shoemaker finds the film progressive and thoughtful but ultimately not very funny. She praises Rose Byrne and the cast’s comic performances, while faulting the sorority characters for feeling underdeveloped.

Davis dismisses the film as faux-woke rather than genuinely feminist. She faults its reliance on superficial gender jokes and name-checking feminist issues as substitutes for a meaningful progressive statement.