Originally released in 2018, Game Night is one of the best comedy movies to be released in the past decade. Starring Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams as a couple that winds up over their heads after a game night is interrupted by a kidnapping, the film delivers constant laughs and surprisingly effective action. The new Game Night 4K release results in the best-looking home release yet for the film, which has only grown in popularity since the directors went on to do Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.
“Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams star as Max and Annie, whose weekly couples game night gets kicked up a notch when Max’s charismatic brother, Brooks (Kyle Chandler), 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 game over,” says the synopsis.
A comedy is nothing without its cast, and Game Night has an incredible ensemble. Bateman is at his post-Arrested Development best here, delivering plenty of zingers, and the lovely McAdams is as charming as ever, holding her own and wonderfully delivering in all aspects. Thanks to an incredible script, two supporting players steal many scenes, as Billy Magnussen plays an idiot to perfection, and Jesse Plemons’ sad, post-divorce cop is a total delight (and delivers an all-timer line read when he goes, “How can that be profitable for Frito-Lay?”). Everyone does their part, and the movie is insanely quotable upon revisiting it.
An action-comedy, Game Night does a great job of balancing and blending its genres. Bateman and McAdams make for a cute couple to root for, so the romance works, and the sharply shot action holds its own, so you are never tuning out or waiting for the next joke. This is such a rewatchable and inviting film that if you’re like me, then you’ll find yourself wanting to put it on in the background quite often.
A visual upgrade isn’t usually a huge deal for a comedy movie — it’s not like it’s going to become any funnier at a higher resolution — but Game Night isn’t your typical comedy. It is shot with some great artistic flare, including some wonderful aerial tilt–shift photography shots that make the locales look like an actual board game. These aspects really stun in 4K, as you could easily mistake them for being actual miniatures, and the movie just looks great here.
The only disappointing aspect of the Game Night 4K is that the special features are rather minuscule. A seven-minute gag reel is the main attraction, as there are quite a few hilarious outtakes and flubs from the cast captured. There’s also a four-minute featurette titled “An Unforgettable Evening: The Making of Game Night,” although it’s sadly rather forgettable and only skims the surface of how the film was made. A commentary track with the directors would’ve gone a long way, especially since John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein were a delight when I interviewed them.
Game Night 4K Review: Final Verdict
Disclosure: ComingSoon received the product from the distributor for our Game Night 4K review.
