Review: Tag

Image courtesy of Warner Bros.

"Tag" is the type of film for which the expression "What will they think of next?" was tailor-made. Yes, this film is actually about an ongoing game of tag and, supposedly, it was based on a true story, although I think it's safe to say that liberties were taken. The film assembles a fine cast and resigns them to crashing into things while attempting to tap each other on the shoulder. More than once in the film, a character asserts that "we don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing." Or, at least, that's the excuse for the characters' juvenile behavior.

"Tag" isn't as bad as you might think, but it's not particularly good either. As Sable, Hannibal Buress gets some of the best lines, including one about being lactose intolerant and an even better one about time being a construct. He is one of five men who, as boys, vowed to continue to play tag throughout their adult years, but with rules: The game is only played in May and no girls are allowed, although Anna (Isla Fisher) is the overly enthusiastic semi-sixth participant. She is married to Hoagie (Ed Helms), who is obsessed with tagging Jerry (Jeremy Renner), a master of the game who has never been tagged in the group's 20-some years of play. Jon Hamm is Callahan, a successful businessman, who is in a longtime competition with Randy (Jake Johnson) for the love of a woman (Rashida Jones) who knew the group as youths.

Although much of the picture is comprised of ridiculous stunts revolving around the four men attempting - and failing miserably - to tag Jerry, whose ability to outsmart them and set elaborate traps for them dashes way over the line of being ludicrous, the film occasionally stops for a sentimental moment - especially one near the end that uncomfortably follows all of the silliness that comes before it - as the players consider how the game has enabled them to remain friends for so many years.

"Tag" has its moments. I couldn't help but laugh during an early scene when Hamm makes a failed attempt at escaping from Helms' character. But there are just as many sequences - for instance, a ridiculous chase through the woods and not one, but two scenes, that revolve around a possible miscarriage - that fall flat.

On the one hand, it's refreshing to see that Hollywood studios are willing to gamble on a concept during the summer season - which, these days, is mostly littered with sequels, prequels and comic book movies - that doesn't involve world building or existing characters whose stories have been milked to death. On the other hand, "Tag" isn't exactly the most exciting gamble. The film has a great cast, all of whom are a pleasure to watch - but in movies better than this one. In other words, if you're looking for an original reprieve from the blockbuster madness, "Tag" isn't it.