Game Night Review: 7 Ups & 3 Downs

Ups

7. It's Surprisingly Well-Directed

The most surprising thing about Game Night is just how sharply directed it is. Filmmakers John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein, who previously helmed 2015's mediocre Vacation reboot and are set to direct the upcoming DC movie Flashpoint, demonstrate hugely unexpected visual aplomb with their storytelling, wringing every ounce of style out of it.

From establishing shots that employ tilt-shift photography to emulate the look of a board game, to unconventional camera angles - the camera twirling around a door lock as goons try to break it - Edgar Wright-esque close-ups of dip and drinks being poured and even a clever "single-take" chase sequence (digitally blended, of course), it's honestly one of the best-looking studio comedies in years.

Daley and Goldstein shoot the action with all the skilful aplomb you'd expect from a serious-minded thriller, such that if they want it, they could probably have a bright future working in more straight-laced genre fare.

Either way, the visuals were an incredible breath of fresh air, and help elevate the movie's other appealing elements. Speaking of which...