Comedic actors have long been criticized for milking their signature shtick for all it’s worth. How many times, for instance, can Adam Sandler play variations on the man-child persona he popularized way back in 1995 comedy Billy Madison (if the grosses for Blended are any indication, we may yet find out – but that’s another article entirely)? In the case of Seth Rogen, the funnyman has largely found his niche as the loveable stoner with a heart of gold. From Knocked Up to Pineapple Express, Rogen has established himself as a bonafide comedic brand, a branch that has fallen off the Judd Apatow tree.

In Neighbors, Rogen does indeed hew fairly close to the type of character he’s best known for, but rather than holding the film back, his wry chuckle and panicky, frenetic energy are employed for good, not evil. In fact, Neighbors probably works largely because of the way Rogen is able to play off of his co-stars and the over-the-top situation they’re all placed in. Continue reading Review: ‘Neighbors’ →