Tag – Film Review

Tag, a 2018 comedy film directed by Jeff Tomsic, attempts to inject life into a childhood game we’ve all played at some point – tag. Based on a true story featured in The Wall Street Journal, the film follows a group of friends who have been playing the same game of tag for 30 years, escalating their tactics to epic proportions. While the premise sounds promising, Tag fails to live up to its potential, leaving audiences with a lukewarm experience that lacks depth and genuine humor.

One of the film’s major shortcomings lies in its characterization. Despite the talented ensemble cast featuring Ed Helms, Jeremy Renner, Jon Hamm, Jake Johnson, and Hannibal Buress, the characters lack depth and development. The film barely scratches the surface of their personalities, reducing them to mere caricatures defined by a singular obsession – the game of tag. Viewers are left wanting more, craving a deeper exploration of the characters’ motivations, fears, and growth over the three decades of their bizarre tradition.

The film’s humor, or lack thereof, is another significant letdown. While the premise offers ample opportunities for witty one-liners, clever wordplay, and situational comedy, Tag relies heavily on slapstick humor and juvenile pranks that feel outdated and uninspired. The attempts at humor often feel forced, with gags that fall flat and fail to elicit genuine laughter. The movie resorts to cheap laughs, missing the chance to delve into more sophisticated, intelligent comedy that could have elevated its entertainment value.

Furthermore, the pacing of the film is inconsistent, resulting in a disjointed viewing experience. The narrative struggles to find a balance between the absurdity of the game and the emotional connections between the characters. As a result, the film feels jarring, with moments of heartfelt camaraderie abruptly interrupted by over-the-top tag sequences. This lack of cohesion prevents the audience from fully immersing themselves in the story, making it challenging to invest in the characters’ journey.

Visually, Tag does little to impress. The cinematography and direction lack innovation, relying on standard techniques without offering any fresh perspectives or creative visuals. While the film’s action sequences attempt to inject energy into the narrative, they often come across as chaotic and haphazardly choreographed, diminishing their impact. The lack of visual creativity further highlights the film’s overall mediocrity, failing to capture the audience’s attention and leaving them indifferent to the on-screen events.

In addition to its narrative and comedic shortcomings, Tag struggles with thematic depth. Despite the potential for exploring themes of friendship, nostalgia, and the passage of time, the film barely scratches the surface of these ideas. The friendships portrayed on screen lack authenticity, making it challenging for viewers to empathize with the characters’ sentimental attachments to the game. The film misses an opportunity to delve into the complexities of adult friendships, opting instead for surface-level interactions that lack emotional resonance.

Tag falls short of delivering a memorable cinematic experience. Its underdeveloped characters, uninspired humor, inconsistent pacing, lackluster visuals, and shallow exploration of themes result in a forgettable film that fails to leave a lasting impression. While the concept of adults engaging in an extreme version of a childhood game holds promise, the execution lacks the necessary finesse and depth to make Tag a truly engaging and entertaining movie. Ultimately, audiences are left with a half-hearted chase that fails to deliver the comedic punch it promises, leaving them wanting more from a film that never fully embraces its potential.