Game Night

Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams star in this forgettable comedy as competitive couple Max and Annie who host a weekly game night for their friends Kevin (Lamorne Morris) and Michelle (Kylie Bunbury), and Gary (Jesse Plemons) and his girl of the moment. When Max's more successful brother Brooks (Kyle Chandler) hijacks game night with an elaborate murder mystery trouble ensues as "coincidentally" Brooks just happens to be kidnapped for real on the same night he hired actors to kidnap him as part of the game. And no one realizes it isn't a game.

The script by Mark Perez (Accepted, Herbie Fully Loaded) offers some cheap laughs and chuckles, if you can swallow the absurd pretense. Lots of time is given to the relationships of the various couples, but it's really only when all are involved and the crazy is turned up to 11 (such as throwing a priceless piece of art around a gangster's mansion) that things get interesting.

Like far too many recent movies, Game Night ends in a serious of twists that (again) only make sense if you don't look too closely at the plot. The result is a mildly diverting film limited by the stupidity of its characters and plot. Available on Blu-ray and DVD, extras include a behind-the-scenes featurette and a gag reel.

[Warner Bros., Blu-ray $24.99 / DVD $28.98]