BLU-RAY REVIEW: GAME NIGHT
5/21/2018

OVERVIEW: Laugh from beginning to end when “Game Night” arrives on Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital.

“Game Night” will be available on Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD. The Blu-ray Combo Pack features a Blu-ray disc with the film in high definition, a Blu-ray disc with the special features in high definition, a DVD with the film in standard definition, and a Digital version of the movie.

“Game Night” will also be available on Movies Anywhere. Using the free Movies Anywhere app and website, consumers can access all their eligible movies by connecting their Movies Anywhere account with their participating digital retailer accounts.

Fans can also own “Game Night” via purchase from digital retailers beginning May 1.

SYNOPSIS: Bateman and McAdams star as Max and Annie, whose weekly couples game night gets kicked up a notch when Max’s charismatic brother, Brooks, arranges a murder mystery party, complete with fake thugs and faux federal agents. So, when Brooks gets kidnapped, it’s all part of the game…right? But as the six uber-competitive gamers set out to solve the case and win, they begin to discover that neither this “game”—nor Brooks—are what they seem to be.

Over the course of one chaotic night, the friends find themselves increasingly in over their heads as each twist leads to another unexpected turn. With no rules, no points, and no idea who all the players are, this could turn out to be the most fun they’ve ever had…or, it’s game over.

FILM REVIEW: Life is just a game, isn't it? This film proves that point, and what a fun, adventurous, thrilling game it is. From the very onset of the movie we are transported into the world of games and this particular game night is going to be quite memorable. Actually, this Game Night is better than a game night. As mentioned, it is fun, adventurous, and thrilling plus it is very funny and very different. I found myself laughing out loud a few times. What makes this movie different is that it is not your typical comedy. We get a heavy dose of action and thrills that you wouldn't normally find with a comedy of this nature. It brings the game to life and the game is pretty intense. So this combination of laughs, thrills, and game play all rolled up into a well presented film is what makes this one stand out.

It is rare to purposely mention good cinematography in a comedy. Well, yeah, in this movie, it is worth mentioning. When you see it you will know what I mean, but let's just say that the movie makers did a great job of giving the viewer the sensation of being in the game. I also need to mention, much to Priscilla's chagrin, the presence of a very awesome car owned by the lead characters in this film (I happen to drive that very same car and it was really, really special to see it on the big screen . . . sorry). Speaking of the lead characters, Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams, I mean wow, I don't want to say that they carried the movie because the movie is pretty darn good regardless, but they do make it extra special. They were fantastic and a joy to watch together. Kyle Chandler as Brooks, Bateman's brother in the film, is not your Friday Night Lights coach/dad/family guy. He does his character right and from various angles too. Priscilla was excited to see Michael C. Hall (of the TV show Dexter fame) playing an appropriate role in this movie. And then there's Jesse Plemons in the role of Gary, the next door neighbor to Bateman and McAdams' characters Max and Annie. I first saw him in Battleship and I most recently saw him in an episode of Black Mirror that a buddy of mine highly recommended I watch and I'm glad he did, it was pretty good. He was the main character of that episode and he was chilling, bizarre, and very creepy. Let's just say that having said that, he totally, totally nails his role in this movie. He is easily the most memorable character in the film. The dialogue in the movie and between these characters is clever and appropriate and especially funny. The banter between the various couples will keep you in stitches. If you have followed Jason Bateman's career you'll know that he is a master of line delivery and his banter with Rachel is a treat to watch.

Directors John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein don't have a lot of big screen direction under their belts which makes the job they did on this one that much more impressive. I'm not playing when I tell you that this movie is a lot of fun, with twists and turns, and everybody wins (puns intended).

Review By  Cine Marcos  
cinemarcos@smartcine.com

 

BLU-RAY: The film is presented in widescreen in a 2.40:1 aspect ration preserving its theatrical format. The picture is just flawless. Not only the picture looks great in this release, also the sound Game Night is good, a 5.1 Master Audio in English that provides a good complement to the picture. Game Night also includes  English and Spanish subtitles.

VIDEO:
Widescreen (2.40:1) 16x9

AUDIO:
English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1  Latin Spanish, Parisian French, Brazilian Portuguese, 

Subtitles - English SDH, Latin Spanish, Parisian French, Canadian French, Brazilian Portuguese 

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Blu-ray™ unleashes the power of your HDTV and is the best way to watch movies at home, featuring 6X the picture resolution of DVD, exclusive extras and theater-quality surround sound.

DVD offers the flexibility and convenience of playing movies in more places, both at home and away.

Movies Anywhere Digital App simplifies and enhances the digital movie collection and viewing experience by allowing consumers to access their favorite digital movies in one place when purchased or redeemed through participating digital retailers. Consumers can also redeem digital copy codes found in eligible Blu-rayTM and DVD disc packages from participating studios and stream or download them through Movies Anywhere. Movies Anywhere is available only in the United States..

Gag Reel

An Unforgettable Evening: Making Game Night