Has Zac Efron Found His Big Break with "Neighbors"?

Zac Efron is pretty gorgeous, let's face it. Ever since he made his debut in the obnoxiously popular High School Musical Franchise, he's been a heartthrob. But after the series closed out, Efron has struggled to find that project to really solidify his status as an actual actor.

Of course, there was 2007's critically acclaimed remake of the musical "Hairspray" which found Efron singing and dancing yet again as a heartthrob. Of course, the role wasn't really challenging Efron's abilities all that much, but nevertheless he was perfectly fine in the film.

When he signed on to play the lead role in 2009's "17 Again" (a re-telling of Tom Hanks' "Big"), people predicted that this was going to be the film that launched Efron into the A-List. However, as charming as some found it, 17 Again opened to tepid reviews, and while its box office receipts are nothing to scoff at, it didn't really do much for his career. Supporting roles in "Me and Orson Wells" and Lee Daniels' "The Paperboy" along with leading roles in 2 Nicholas Sparks movies and this year's dreadful "That Awkward Moment" further drove the assumption that Efron wasn't meant to be the leading man everyone had pegged him out to be, and that his 15 minutes of fame were over.

Interestingly enough, however, Efron's newest film entitled "Neighbors" has been enjoying a vast amount of pre-release critical success. Though a number of critics have had their reviews embargoed, the film is sitting pretty on Rotten Tomatoes with a perfect score of 100%, with raves from The Hollywood Reporter and Variety who praise Efron's work.

The film also stars Seth Rogan, Rose Byrne and Dave Franco, while being directed by Nicholas Stoller (Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Get Him to the Greek and Blades of Glory). The talent is all there, and as he's proved in Hairspray, Efron works best when he's surrounded by a talented ensemble. Not to mention, the film plays to his strengths as a drop dead stunning frat boy.

I MEAN COME ON!!!!!!

Anyway, the trailer looks flat out hilarious and it's being released in the comedy friendly month of May (the official release date is May 9th). The film is being propped up as "the flat-out funniest comedy of the year", and if that's the case, here's to hoping it gets Efron's career moving in the right way (please, no one is buying him as the dramatic lead, utilize Efron the way he should be utilized).

Though it won't be present in what will ultimately make up Oscar's Best Picture lineup, that's no reason we should shrug it off.

Here's the hilarious red-band trailer that was just released the other day.

You'll have to sign in and confirm your age since it's a red band trailer, unfortunately I can't embed it here because it's "red-band" *eye roll*