Game Night review

From the guys who brought you Horrible Bosses this time around they give us Game Night and while we're promised a lot of things it doesn't quite deliver on them all it is still a fun watch that will have you laughing hysterically at some points. Before starting I have to point out the opening which is all the studio's involved in this movie being actual game pieces instead of the usual intro that we'd usually get. A subtle but really nice touch I thought.

The story is pretty simple as it follows a group of friends who meet up once a week for 'Game Night' as they like to call it. This involves nothing out of the ordinary really mostly filled with charades friendly banter and the like but one night things don't quite go according the plan and they find themselves entangled in a real life mystery. Game Night boasts a pretty strong cast of familiar comedic actors and actresses. Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams both carry the movie throughout it's over 100 minute running time with ease and they are very likable. Especially Bateman's character who seems really grounded down to earth but shows acts of complete craziness at times. McAdams on the other hand really shines as his wife and partner in crime for the mystery even if she did show some signs of complete lunacy at times which again leads to some fun scenes. That being said her and Bateman's characters do share a good on screen connection together. The rest of the cast also do well to flesh out their characters that are all different and unlike some comedies actually quite likable which was a pleasant surprise.

Don't be expecting laughs a plenty with this one, while it is funny and in some cases really funny there is some scenes that drag the pace to a grinding halt that is very noticeable. They do nothing to effect the overly narrative and honestly some bored me and I just wanted them to end. But that being said the good certainly out ways the bad here including a final act that's packed with content including a plane chase, gun toting violence, more funny one liners and not to mention so many twists and turns it's almost hard to keep up with it all. Game Night will definitely please those who want to have a fun night out at the movies as it is unique in it's premise, characters and the performances are good. An R rated comedy done right for the most part which is something I didn't expect to be saying coming out of this one. A really fun Game Night indeed!

★★★★