Tag Review

"Never been tagged, just saying!"


Tag was directed by Jeff Tomsic, and stars the likes of Jeremy Renner, Ed Helms, Lil Rey Howery, Jon Hamm, Jake Johnson, Annabelle Wallis, Isla Fisher and Leslie Bibb. The film is based on a real life story and follows a small group of former classmates who organise an elaborate game of tag (or IT depending on where you are in the world) to keep in contact with each other over the many years since high school, but this year they are more determined to tag Jerry (Jeremy Renner) who has never been tagged before.

Tag falls into the category of films whereby we as audience members question why this film was even made and was it even necessary. Sure at times Tag can be an entertaining film and creates a couple of good gags, but for me personally it is such an unnecessary film, that without a doubt will be forgotten over the coming years (it really will be!).

But enough with the negativity (for a while anyway), Tag at times can be a fun film, if you want a summer film where you can sit back and just have a good old laugh and forget about your worries, then this could be the film for you (but don't go in expecting something amazing!). The cast all round are solid and look like they are having a great fun time and really capture the childhood game of tag, which really helps the audience have fun, as you can tell how much the cast are enjoying themselves. There are some very cleaver and entertaining set pieces during the film, one worth mentioning involves the characters chasing Jerry portrayed by Jeremy Renner through the woods, which creates a lot of entertaining and comedic moments as Jerry truly shows why he has never been tagged. Obviously with any comedic film, there are always going to jokes that land, and those that don't, and this film for me falls on the bottom half of that statement and for me the jokes land flat, but there a couple of great one liners here and there.

Tag was never going to be the best film of year, let alone the best film of summer, and whilst Tag is a fun film, it never really explores any real depth to the characters, and the actors just seem to be playing slightly heightened versions of themselves. Whilst this does work for the film, it really doesn't allow any substance to the film. The film itself is apparently based on a true story, and in my personal opinion it would have been nice to of explored more of the childhood roots and show more of the characters playing the game of tag, throughout of the many years the characters where playing the game. There were very brief moments where this happened, but not enough for me personally. There were some really nice moments towards the end of the film, showing the real people (the film is based on) playing tag, which was a really nice moment in the film, but it would of been nice to have included more about the original people the film is based on, which would of improved the film hugely for me.

Overall Tag is a at times a fun and entertaining film with some entertaining set pieces, but suffers from a lack of depth and a few too many gags that just didn't land. Was Tag really a film that needed to be made? Probably not! But it's here, so if you looking for a summer film to just sit back and forget about everything else, then this could be the film for you.

Verdict: 2 out of 5 stars