"Tag", featuring Ed Helms, Jake Johnson, Annabelle Wallis, Hannibal Buress, Isla Fisher, Rashida Jones, Leslie Bibb, Jon Hamm, and Jeremy Renner, et al. is a great movie. Spoiler alert: spoilers follow.
A group of childhood friends swears to stay in touch into adulthood for years. The Spirit of Youth lives on in their favorite childhood game, one month a year. Of course they've moved away from their childhood neighborhood, some of them across the country. So it's a commitment to cross state lines and randomly tag their friends. But one must keep friendship alive; it is a beautiful flower that wilts unless watered
Ed Helms leads the gang with aplomb and enthusiasm, inspiring us with tales of years past, nostalgia around their families, romantic intrigue, goals of finally tagging Jerry, and most importantly, the growth of their friendship in future years.
I won't give it all away, but the schemes to surprise his friends certainly entertain and amuse us. I laughed enthusiastically and consistently throughout, and Helms' Hoagie inspires the audience and the group throughout. His wife is equally inspiring with how intensely she takes the game. Kids would have much more trouble executing the schemes we see Hoagie and Jerry pull.
As we progress through the gang, picking up new characters, watching their chemistry, and learning more about their childhoods, the lore of the movie grows progressively more convincing and moving, inspiring me to reflect on past years and friends with nostalgic fondness.
My favorite character is Karen Filippa's Cheryl, who captures the energy of admiration while navigating her past arguments, ups and downs with, and the egos of two grown men
But I loved them all, even Chilli, who of course I pitied as well
The movie left me with a warm nostalgic fuzziness and plenty of chuckles. Fun for the whole family (if you're open with your children), though it is rated R
5.5/6 stars
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