Written by Rob McKittrick and Mark Steilen and directed by Jeff Tomsic, ‘Tag’ is based on the real-life story of a group of friends who have been playing the same game of tag for thirty years.
At some point in our lives, we all went outside to play for the last time. We chased our friends around, played hopscotch, and ran through sprinklers, before were called in for dinner and, never went out to play again. We grew up either because we wanted to or we had to. Tag directed by Jeff Tomsic is based on the real-life story of a group of friends who refused to stop going outside to play. The group comprised of Hogan (Ed Helms), Jerry (Jeremy Renner), Bob (John Hamm), Chilli (Jake Johnson), and Kevin (Hannibal Burress), have been playing the same game of tag for the last thirty years.
The gang reassembles to complete the ultimate task; tag Jerry who has never been tagged in all thirty years of playing. What follows is a funny, but sometimes odd and mystical movie about adults who cling to their inner children.
Hannibal Burress’s sarcastic humor shines through in the film. His timely, sometimes off topic interjections uplift each scene he is in. He reminds us every minute he’s on screen that he’s a true comedian, lying in wait for the perfect moment to make his move and bam: the audience is hysterical.
Another bright spot in the film is Isla Fisher, who plays Anna, Hogan’s wife. Her self-proclaimed over-aggressiveness and eagerness to aid in her husband’s pursuit of not losing at tag every year are refreshing. She reminds us that girls are just as capable (if not sometimes better) at playing rough as the boys. Her performance is enjoyable in every sense of the word.
Tag doesn’t take itself seriously which is why it works. The premise of the movie, although based on real life, seems far-fetched and Tomsic runs with that. The men wear over the top disguises, smash through windows, surveil and stalk one another, and push themselves to the edge all in the pursuit of a game of tag. Tag is fast-paced, fun, and full of heartwarming moments of friendship and family.
If you’re looking for something lighthearted to take in, Tag is a fun summer film ready to make you laugh.
