Parents' Guide to

Tag

By Michael Ordona, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Thin friendship comedy has language, slapstick pratfalls.

Movie R 2018 100 minutes
Tag Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

age 15+

Based on 25 parent reviews

age 17+

Funny for adults

Funny for adults but still inappropriate

This title has:

Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
age 12+

Hilarious movie, slightly mature

I think that this movie would be really good for kids who are at least aged 13. It is a great comedy, with an amazing cast. We watched this with our family of five and everyone enjoyed it, especially my 12 year old.

This title has:

Great messages
Too much swearing

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (25):
Kids say (42):

The concept for this comedy sounds like fun, but in practice it turns out to be pretty thin. Rather than projecting the stressful enjoyment of the constant fear of being caught, Tag presents a game that's so regulated -- and so taken for granted -- that the actual action comes in short, slapstick bursts. The whole thing feels blatantly stretched out to (barely) cover its 100-minute running time. There isn't much conflict because everyone agrees on the rules, and no one gets seriously hurt despite falls that would cripple real people. And the oft-repeated intended lesson -- that you get old if you stop playing games -- feels ham-handed. With a cast this talented, it's pretty disappointing for a comedy to largely fall this flat.

Renner's character is superhuman, without a moment of stress or fear; the others generally blend together. Fisher shines in her brief moments (because she's awesome) as an extremely gung-ho wife; Rashida Jones shows up, but her awesomeness isn't put to much use. Thomas Middleditch materializes for one of the funnier, if racier, bits. The film lurches, freezing for wan attempts at character moments that don't land. It's all just too safe. But if you do see Tag, stick around for the credits, which include footage of the real-life friends playing the actual game -- by far the most fun moments in the film. Also, check out the original WSJ articles; they're a hoot. If you're looking for a satisfying comedy, though, Tag is not it.

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