If it weren’t a true story, one would hear the premise of Tag and think it was too far-fetched for a film. A group of friends gather each May and continue the titular game that has been going on for decades. As such, Tag is a fun ride with a charming cast that captures the real-life chronicle of friendship at its finest—that is out now on all home video formats.
The headline for this longstanding game of tag, is that one of the friends since they were kids, Jerry (Jeremy Renner), has never been tagged. This year, Hoagie (Ed Helms) says, is the May that he finally gets hit with that elusive tag. Conveniently, Hoagie is getting married and lets the guys know that he is retiring from the game and therefore, hopes to go down in history unscathed.
Joining Hoagie and Jerry in this lifelong game is Bob (Jon Hamm), Kevin (Hannibal Buress) and Chilli (Jake Johnson). Ever supportive, Hoagie’s wife Anna (Isla Fisher) seems to enjoy the comradery and competition as much as her husband—dare we say more so? As Tag truly gets going, we firmly see that fact!
Jerry is getting married and it’s funny… why would he and his fiancé Susan (Leslie Bibb) hold their exchanging of vows in May knowing Jerry’s pals’ history? See, Jerry didn’t invite his buds for that very reason. But, Hoagie found it and he’s rallying the troops for a trip home to Spokane, Washington to crash a wedding and finally Tag their decades-long cohort as he rides his retirement into the blissful sunset.
We need to back up a bit, while interviewing Bob, a reporter—Rebecca (Annabelle Wallis)—is witness to Hoagie’s crashing of the interview to tag him. Baffled, the journalists asks what on earth is going on. After explaining it to her and filling her and Bob in on the plans to crash Jerry’s wedding, Rebecca decides to change her story, she has a new one!
What makes Tag so enjoyable is the friendly chemistry of the friends. Yes, this is a highly competitive group whose passion for the game of tag knows no bounds of time, geography or circumstances of life (there are tags during funerals and births!). The ensemble is just so delightful, it is if we the audience are the fourth wall and we’re in on the joys, sorrows and of course… the tag!
Speaking of the game itself, when it comes to the group’s efforts to get Jerry, we adore how director Jeff Tomsic orchestrates those scenes. It is as if a Guy Ritchie movie has broken out in the middle of his comedy. There’s a very self-aware action sense where Jerry is narrating the action as it unfolds in slow-mo. It’s brilliant and bombastically fitting for Tag.
As the credits roll on the film itself, audiences are provided a brief introduction to the real guys that the film is based upon. That left us wanting more… lucky us because the bonus features possess such a delightful featurette.
Meet the Real Tag Brothers is a nice five-minute piece that has chats and private videos from the 10-man tag team. After witnessing the fictionalized version of the game in the film itself, it is just so darn joyous to hear from the real guys and get some video of them in action doing what made them friends… and now famous.
There are eight deleted scenes included and since we are such a fun of the camaraderie of the ensemble, our attitude on these cut moments from the movie is the more the merrier with this band of brothers (and sister).
Comedy gag reels are always welcomed—especially if the group of comics include Helms, Buress, Rashida Jones and even Hamm and Renner. Don’t get us started on the comedic brilliance of Fisher!