Game Night – Like rolling a ‘double six’

The main reservations I had when I sat down to watch ‘Game Night’ was that I’d seen all the jokes during the trailer!  I’d probably advise most people NOT to watch the clip, as it does give away some (but thankfully not all) of the funniest moments.  It’s about three couples who regularly get together every so often and play a variety of games (the type that doesn’t involve a Playstation or Xbox controller – if you can believe that!).  However, one night they get more than they bargain for when one of them decides to ‘up’ the game to the next level by incorporating one of those games which employ the services of actors to stage a murder mystery for you to solve.  Now, this would be fair enough if it wasn’t for the unfortunate coincidence that this night happens to also be the one where a real kidnapping takes place, leaving our middle-class couples unsure of what’s real and what’s just part of the game.

Despite there being three couples, it’s mainly Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams who have the most screen time, therefore allowing themselves the most time for gags and character development (which I’m pleased to say there are plenty of both).  The other two couples are fun and have their moments, but, in some ways, both couples are technically superfluous to the main plot and couple almost have been removed completely!  But they’re all good and the gags come thick and fast, many of which reference popular culture (good now, but I do wonder how many will still be relevant in 10-20 years’ time.  However, if you’re looking for the real ‘scene stealer’ it has to go to Jesse Plemons who plays the creepy neighbour down to perfection (even if it does look like he’s getting a little typecast after ‘Breaking Bad’).

In a film like this you do have to suspend your disbelief a little bit to keep enjoying the story.  However, the bottom line is that it is funny and, for that, it should be allowed a little slack when it comes to picking too many holes in the plot.  Ultimately, it’s a great movie to watch if you just want something simple, funny and good to sit through with your mates.  It may not be remembered in 20-20 years’ time as one of the all-time comedy greats, but it should deserve more than a little love and laughs right now.

8/10 The Force is definitely strong with this one